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Blood & Donuts

Blood & Donuts (1995)

Sep 09, 1995 1h 30m Horror Comedy

In 1994, in Toronto, the vampire Boya awakens from his twenty-five years of sleep in a basement hit by a golf ball. He takes a cab to the local cemetery, retrieves his belongings from a grave and lodges in a low budget hotel nearby an all-night donut shop. Boya does not drink human blood anymore but rats and pigeons blood instead. While in the donut shop, Boya befriends and protects the taxi driver Earl, who is having trouble with two criminals, and falls in love for the waitress Molly. Meanwhile, his former passion of 1969, Rita, who misses her lost youth, is trying to locate him.

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Directed by Holly Dale

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Holly Dale
Writer
  • Andrew Rai Berzins
Producer
  • Steven Hoban

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Thematic Analysis

This Horror/Comedy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Blood & Donuts presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Holly Dale brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1995, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Blood & Donuts took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 90 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 138 minutes long.
  • The costume department created over 332 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • The musical score contains over 56 unique compositions.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 12 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 1995, when this film was released:
  • Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
  • Digital technology was transforming the entertainment industry.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

While Blood & Donuts shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Four Rooms, which focuses more on action than character development, Blood & Donuts offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.

While films like One Small Hero and Illegal Aliens explore similar territory, Blood & Donuts stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: September 9, 1995
  • Runtime: 1h 30m

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