1977, dir. Dario Argento
with Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, and Joan Bennett.
98 min, format 35mm
Centering on the youngest of the three mothers, Mater Suspiriorum (The Mother of Sighs), “Suspiria” follows a young ballet student Suzy Banyon (Harper), as she finds herself in the center of a German ballet academy ruled by a coven of witches.
Co-written by Daria Nicolodi, Dario’s longtime collaborator and mother of daughter Asia, “Suspiria” was the last European film to be shot on Technicolor. Utilizing its unique ability to capture unearthly lush colors, “Suspiria” merged elaborate sets, vivid lighting, and a score by Italian prog-rock group Goblin into what is often considered Dario Argento’s masterpiece.
