Claire 2001 Full B&W 2006 Horror Movie Review

Directed by : Milford Thomas

Set in a storybook 1920s rural American South and inspired by the Japanese fairytale “Kaguyahime,” Milford Thomas’ CLAIRE tells the story of a childless, elderly male couple who discover a princess made of moonlight inside an ear of corn. The enchanting young Claire bewitches onlookers with her readings of fantastic poetry in unfamiliar languages, entrances a local boy who courts tragedy when he tries to win her affection, and unwittingly becomes a healer in the process. While exemplifying the untraditional family (two men lovingly raising a moon-child), CLAIRE celebrates the diversity of family and sublimely addresses the grief associated with losing a loved one.

An homage to early cinema, the film was glowingly shot on a vintage hand-cranked 35mm camera and is accompanied by the Orchestra De Lune conducted by Anne Richardson. Like its silent-era camera, all set-design and special effects were achieved the old-fashioned way, using canvas backgrounds, semi-hidden wires and multiple exposures, creating a timeless atmosphere of wonderment and magic.

CLAIRE is written, directed, produced and edited by Milford Thomas and stars Toniet Gallego, Mish P. DeLight, James Ferguson.