Paul Muller

Pere Portabella—master of the avant-garde, politician, and all-around renaissance man, made this mysterious film; which follows Christopher Lee. Shot on the fly in between scenes in the crevices of another films shoot, Vampir is an evocative investigation into narrative, myth, and Spanish cinema.

Inspired by his memories of visiting brothels, and adapted from John Cleland’s Fanny Hill, Tinto Brass’ Paprika is a joyous, lavishly erotic comedy chronicling a woman’s ascent in the sex trade. Set in 1950s Italy prior to a law forbiding sex work, the film went on to become a contentious success.