Sylvia, an industrial scientist, is troubled by strange hallucinations related to the tragic suicide of her mother.Sylvia, an industrial scientist, is troubled by strange hallucinations related to the tragic suicide of her mother.Sylvia, an industrial scientist, is troubled by strange hallucinations related to the tragic suicide of her mother.
- Young Silvia
- (as Daniela Barnes)
- Signorina Cardini
- (as Alexandra Paizi)
- Chemical Worker
- (as Luigi A. Guerra)
- Cannibal
- (uncredited)
- Signora Lovati
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMimsy Farmer was the only choice to play the lead.
- GoofsPack of "blood" is squarely seen under Roberto's shirt, under the cleaver on his back.
- Quotes
Silvia Hacherman: [reading from "Through the Looking Glass"] Still she haunts me, phantomwise, Alice moving under skies Never seen by waking eyes. Children yet, the tale to hear, Eager eye and willing ear, Lovingly shall nestle near. In a Wonderland they lie, Dreaming as the days go by, Dreaming as the summers die: Ever drifting down the stream- Lingering in the golden gleam- Life, what is it but a dream?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Poltrone rosse - Parma e il cinema (2014)
The Perfume of the Lady In Black is a strong contender for best looking Giallo ever, as the characters inhabit a world not only of strong primary colours (blue being a prominent colour in everyone's apartments), but also a world where various hues and shades of purple and pink are in abundance. There's also a strong floral theme to both the decoration of apartments and people clothes, with at least one of the characters also having a floral name. Stuffed animals and taxidermy also feature everywhere, and a lot of the time the shots are invaded by outside light sources, like lightening, or a flashing sign. It very much looks like a Peter Greenaway film, only without the OCD.
Silvia, seemingly, has had a pretty rough childhood, with her Naval father often away for months at a time, and her mother having an affair with a nasty looking man who also tries to it on with her. We learn this not so much as flashbacks, but as real physical things happening right in front of Silvia's eyes. Something strange is happening to Silvia, but what could it be?
What doesn't help is when her neighbours talk her into having her palm read by a blind medium in a scene that uses mirrors to great effect. Silvia's troubled childhood comes to light and things start to spiral out of control when she's apparently visited by herself as a child! Things get stranger and stranger, and reality becomes questionable, and I'm only skirting around a lot of the stuff that goes on here to avoid ruining it for the three or so people who'll read this on the IMDB over the next sixty years.
One thing I will say is that not every question is answered by the end of the film, but I think that might have been deliberate. The end of this one makes you question everything that's gone before it, and even question reality in itself. That's not to say it's not without scares either. Or gore. So stick around for that too.
- Bezenby
- Feb 28, 2018
- How long is The Perfume of the Lady in Black?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Cult of the Damned
- Filming locations
- Mincio Square, Rome, Lazio, Italy(location)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1