The 1967 film "Viy," considered the first horror film of the modern Soviet era, will be screened Sunday, Oct. 9, at Heritage House Arts & Civic Center as part of the facility's "ongoing mandate to present classic and essential cinema."
Also known as "Spirit of Evil," the film tells the story of a young seminary student who must preside over the wake of a witch in a remote village, which means spending three nights alone with the corpse with only his faith to protect him. It is based on a Nikolai Gogol short story.
The film has an 82 percent favorable rating at film aggregate website RottenTomatoes.com. Viewers have praised it as "visually astounding" with "amazingly elegant effects" and a payoff that "has to be seen to be believed."
Event organizers say "Viy" is part of the recently launched Russian & International Film Series presented in conjunction with Chattanooga's Russian Film Club. The series will screen a classic international film every second Sunday of the month at 6 p.m., preceded by a potluck supper attended by members of Chattanooga's Russian and Ukrainian community at 5 p.m.
All films will be presented in their native/original language with English subtitles. Admission is free.
Heritage House is at 1428 Jenkins Road in East Brainerd. For more information, call 423-855-9474.