Forget the riddle of steel, here’s the riddle of glitter: Bertrand Mandico‘s “She Is Conann” finally hits theaters next month after a rousing run on the 2023 festival circuit. Premiering at Cannes and screening at Fantastic Fest, Locarno, and more, Mandico’s latest is a gender-swapped take on Robert E. Howard‘s infamous Conan The Barbarian, immortalized in John Milius‘ 1982 film. And Conann is interested in immorality, too, and will do whatever she needs to achieve it, no matter how cruel and depraved…
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“She Is Conann” follows a deceased Conann into the afterlife, forced to reckon with her past misdeeds over six lifetimes. Her guide on her journey into the past? Her muse, lover, and daimon, the demigod demon-dog Rainer, who’s forced to witness Conann’s myriad evolutions (and betrayals) all over again.
Here’s an official synopsis for “She Is Conann,” courtesy of Altered Innocence:
Traveling the abyss, the hellhound Rainer recounts the six lives of Conann, perpetually put to death by her own future, through eras, myths and ages. From his childhood, a slave of Sanja and her barbarian horde, until her accession to the heights of cruelty at the gates of our world.
Mandico muse Elina Löwensohn leads the cast of “She Is Conann,” with Claire Duburcq, Christa Théret, Sandra Parfair, Agata Buzek, and Nathalie Richard. Françoise Brion and Julia Riedler also star.
Mandico writes and directs “She Is Conann,” as he’d done for his previous two feature films. Avi Amar, Gilles Chanial, and Ammnuel Chaumet produce the film, with Olivier Dubois and Antoine Garnier co-producing. Pierre Desprats composes music for the film, with cinematography by Nicolas Eveilleau and Laure Saint-Marc editing.
“She Is Conann” opens in select theaters in NYC, LA, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, and more on February 2, 2024. The film then expands to more venues on February 9. NYC residents take note: Mandico and Löwensohn will be in-person at select screenings at Anthology Film Archives its opening week for Q&As and to debut a new short, “The Show Has Already Started.”
Even those who saw Mandico’s “The Wild Boys” and “After Blue” have no idea what’s in store for them with “She Is Conann.” This film is an exquisite, visceral, and unforgettable tour de force that wears its many influences proudly on Rainer’s leather jacket sleeves. “She Is Conann” is one avant-garde lovers won’t want to miss. Check out a trailer for Mandico’s latest below.
