`Director:` Robert Eggers `Availability:` > [!info] > ## Key Takeaways ## Summary ## Quotes - ## Notes - [ ] I'd like to edit the film and take away all the dialogue for Nostferatu.. 🆔 aU9DWr #Art Lily-Rose Depp’s portrayal of Ellen Hutter in Robert Eggers’ 2024 remake of Nosferatu has garnered significant acclaim. Critics have described her performance as “transfixing,” noting her compelling depiction of a woman ensnared by the [[vampire]] Count Orlok. To authentically convey Ellen’s possession, Depp collaborated with movement choreographer Marie-Gabrielle Rotie. Rotie introduced Depp to butoh, a Japanese dance form, enabling her to master the physicality required for the role. This intensive preparation allowed Depp to convincingly transition from vulnerability to a demonic state, a transformation that has been particularly praised by reviewers. Butoh is an avant-garde Japanese dance form developed in the late 1950s, often characterised by its stark, expressive movements and explorations of taboo themes, including death, transformation, and the grotesque. It frequently delves into the liminal spaces of human experience, making it an evocative medium for interpreting supernatural or mythical creatures, such as vampires. Director Robert Eggers was profoundly impressed by Depp’s audition, reportedly moved to tears by her performance. He described her as a “disciplined, courageous, and feral actor,” qualities that she brought to the complex role of Ellen. Depp herself has expressed a deep interest in exploring darker, more complex characters. She found the role of Ellen Hutter particularly appealing due to the character’s depth and the film’s gothic themes. In summary, Lily-Rose Depp’s dedication to her craft and her collaboration with experts in movement and dance have culminated in a performance in Nosferatu that is both compelling and critically acclaimed.  `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Books index]] To authentically convey Ellen’s possession, Depp collaborated with movement choreographer Marie-Gabrielle Rotie. Rotie introduced Depp to butoh, a Japanese dance form, enabling her to master the physicality required for the role. This intensive preparation allowed Depp to convincingly transition from vulnerability to a demonic state, a transformation that has been particularly praised by reviewers. Butoh is an avant-garde Japanese dance form developed in the late 1950s, often characterised by its stark, expressive movements and explorations of taboo themes, including death, transformation, and the grotesque. It frequently delves into the liminal spaces of human experience, making it an evocative medium for interpreting supernatural or mythical creatures, such as vampires. Nosferatu as a Symbol of Unchecked Power Count Orlok embodies a parasitic force, consuming life and spreading decay, often interpreted as a metaphor for: • Colonialism or Exploitation: Vampires historically symbolise unchecked consumption, making Orlok a figure of exploitation. Ellen, in contrast, represents innocence and humanity’s capacity for self-sacrifice, potentially suggesting resistance or redemption in the face of such power. • Pandemic Allegory: As Orlok spreads death like a plague, Ellen’s role becomes one of containment—her sacrifice as an act to stop the contagion, reminiscent of broader cultural fears of pandemics and death.