Hear My Eyes: 'Suspiria'

Overview

In one of the most memorable opening scenes in movie history, American ballet student Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper) arrives in Germany to study at a prestigious dance academy. As she's getting dropped off at the school for the first time — at night, as rain pours down in a huge storm — she spies another student fleeing in absolute fright. Yes, it's an omen of things to come.

That's how 1977's Suspiria starts out. Naturally, Dario Argento's cult horror flick only gets moodier, creepier, bloodier and more suspenseful from there. And more stylish, too, given it falls into the giallo genre. Usually focusing on lurid murder-mysteries, these Italian films served up thrilling and vivid movies from the late 60s through to the 80s — and Suspiria ranks among the very best of them.

Combining witches, killings and ballet into one unnerving package, it's a stone-cold classic — and, whether you're a first-timer to all things Suspiria, you've only seen the 2018 remake or you're revisiting the original for the umpteenth time, it's a treat to see on a big screen. As part of regular series Hear My Eyes, that's what's on offer on Sunday, March 1 at Hamer Hall, across two sessions at 4pm and 8pm.

Hear My Eyes doesn't just screen fantastic flicks, though. It also pairs each film with a brand new score, as played live on the night. Giving Suspiria some new sounds — a huge task given how iconic its original Goblin score is — three members of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard will join forces with Leah Senior, Fia Fiell, members of Cold Hands Warm Heart and the Melbourne Chamber Choir for what promises to be a stunning combination of movies and music.