Byzantium
dir. Neil Jordan · 2013
Clara and Eleanor find refuge in the dilapidated guesthouse, Byzantium, where their dark secret of immortality intertwines with their struggle for survival. As their past resurfaces, the film envelops viewers in a haunting atmosphere, exploring the depths of isolation and the bonds that tie them together.
Two mysterious women seek refuge in a run-down coastal resort. Clara (Gemma Arterton) meets lonely Noel (Daniel Mays), who provides shelter in his deserted guesthouse, Byzantium. Schoolgirl Eleanor "Ella" Webb (Saoirse Ronan) befriends Frank (Caleb Landry Jones) and tells him their lethal secret: They were born 200 years ago and survive on human blood. As knowledge of their secret spreads, their past catches up on them with deathly consequences.
Talking points
- the nature of immortality
- the complexities of female relationships
- the impact of trauma on identity
- the role of place in shaping character
