Movie on 'Kraków Vampire' competing at Karlovy Vary

The Czech festival, which is considered one of the most prestigious film festivals in Central Europe, hails the movie as “a precisely constructed psychological thriller,” adding that the film “delves into an intricate story of the fascination with evil that hides in places we would never expect.”

'Red Spider' is the feature debut of Marcin Koszałka, who has won several international awards to date, both for his uncompromising documentary films, as well as his work as a cinematographer.

The film explores the history of Karol Kot, who as a young man from 'a good family' carried out a series of brutal attacks, mainly on women and children.

He was arrested in 1966, and later claimed in court that his appetite for blood was inspired while working part-time at a slaughterhouse in Pcim, southern Poland. Kot recounted that he took pleasure in drinking the blood of slain pigs.

Thirteen films are in the main competition this year, including 'The Magic Mountain', a Romanian-French-Polish co-production. Directed by Romanian Anca Damian, this unusual documentary uses animation to bring to life the story of mountain climber and photographer Adam J. Winkler, who fought in Afghanistan with the Mujahideen against the Soviets in the 1980s.

Guests at the festival include Harvey Keitel and Richard Gere. (nh)