Isabelle Huppert, a mainstay of French cinema for decades, presented her latest film at the Berlinale this week, continuing a relationship with the festival that began in 1971 with the premiere of her debut feature, Bar on the Edge. This year, she showcased The Blood Countess, directed by Ulrike Ottinger, a horror film drawing on the legend of Erzsébet Báthory, the 17th-century Hungarian noblewoman accused of torturing and killing hundreds of young women.
The film portrays Báthory, played by Huppert, after a long slumber, awakening in Vienna and resuming her search for the elixir of youth. Ottinger described Huppert’s portrayal of the Countess as “despotic,” according to reports from Variety and IMDb. The role appears to suit the actress, who, as one observer noted, appeared remarkably youthful at the premiere.
Huppert’s connection to Berlin extends beyond the festival circuit. The Hollywood Reporter noted her enduring affection for the city, where she has premiered several significant works, including 8 Women and Michael Haneke’s The Piano Teacher, films that brought her wider international recognition. She received the Crystal Globe for World Contribution to Cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2009.
At the Berlinale premiere, Huppert appeared in a light, monochromatic outfit. The film itself has generated attention, with an exclusive poster released ahead of its screening, as reported by The Film Stage. The premiere marks Ottinger’s first full-length film and Huppert’s continued presence at the festival underscores her long-standing influence in European cinema.