So Vam

Kurt is an outcast in a conservative town (Adelaide, Australia!!) who dreams of moving to the city to be a famous drag queen. We see him bullied and beaten on the street and at school, but he is proud, not cowed. When he is kidnapped by a predatory old vampire and killed, he is resurrected by a gang of rebellious vampires who feed on bigots and abusers. In his new condition, he finds empowerment and belonging, but his killer is still out there. Kurt must face the monster, but this time he is not alone.

So Vam also takes us into gay & trans nightlife culture with lots of high-camp glamour and outrageous dress-ups. It deals playfully with a lot of very serious issues using topical scenarios. The plot is convoluted but always fun, and some of the acting is pretty good. The music is keyboardy, 80s 'New Wave', notably from the excellent Alter Boy.

This is a well-photographed, drag fantasy by director, Alice Maio Mackay. Edited by Dan Vink (bassist in local Ramones tribute band, Kosher Salami), So Vam has some nice special effects and surreal, dream sequences. Not quite 'What We Do In The Shadows' or 'Warm Bodies', but It is a brave and often-entertaining labour of love, certainly with its heart and fangs in the right place.