More and more filmmakers seem to be making giallo homages these days, and even though I’m not a big fan of many of the classic giallo films, I can understand why a director would want to make their own entry in this stylish sub-genre. The latest giallo homage to be brought to my attention comes from Argentina – it’s CRYSTAL EYES (or MIRADA DE CRISTAL), written and directed by Ezequiel Endelman and Leandro Montejano.
The directors’ production company ToyBoys, Inc. Movies recently premiered the film at the Mar del Plata International Film Festival and the Bueno Aires Rojo Sangre Film Festival, and now they have made available quite a few promotional materials. Below we have the film’s trailer, poster, and several lobby cards.
Set in 1985 Bueno Aires, CRYSTAL EYES tells the following story:
It is the first anniversary of the death of Alexis Carpenter, the unstable supermodel who died tragically when she set herself on fire.
Lucia L’uccello – Editor-in-Chief of the most important magazine in Buenos Aires – chooses supermodels Eva Lantier and Irene del Lago to honor Alexis on the cover of the anniversary issues dedicated to the famous model. The night before the photo shoot, Alexis’s original dresses that were going to be used by the models are stolen. From that moment, members of the important fashion magazine and the agency begin to disappear, one by one, at the hands of a stealthy, sinister female silhouette in a long black leather raincoat.
Is someone seeking revenge? Or has Alexis returned from the grave?
Sounds like a solid set-up to me, and the trailer shows that Endelman and Montejano brought their story to the screen in a way that feels very much like the old school giallo films. Due to the year it’s set in, there’s also a cool ’80s vibe to it as well.
It will be interesting to see where CRYSTAL EYES goes from here.
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