I have always been interested in the Vampira character portrayed by Maila Nurmi. She created an iconic image as the ghoulish vampire woman surrounded by a web of mystery. During the 1980's, when I first saw her image, I became a fan. The fact that she was an Scandinavian like myself fueled the interest. Unfortunately there was never enough facts or information about Maila Nurmi to make me know enough of her career and life as a misfit in the Hollywood system. This documentary film is an excellent telling of her life and the creation of Vampira. An objective telling of how her short lived fame during the mid 1950's brought both happiness and tragedy into her life. Vampira was a character that grew out of an era in change, where teens became rebels and rock'n roll was the new beat. An underground culture that grew to the surface and changed a generation of young people. Like Bettie Page, Vampira became strong iconic figure with a look nobody could forget. The camera caught images that never aged and continues until today to attract peoples attention. "Vampira and Me" is like an unholy grail must see for anyone who love the character Vampira and the woman behind her creation. A story told with love and compassion from her number 1 fan and also supported by all the people who loved her image and kept her underground fame alive. It is especially interesting to see unseen and rare footage of Vampira that proves she also was a great comedienne. Also fun to the see images of her early days as a pin-up model. This documentary has much heart and at times you can not help feeling sad, her career and life deserved much better. But once you adventure into the road towards Hollywood in search for fame there is no telling of the outcome, everything is at risk, especially your life. Maila Nurmi was a woman with talent and intelligence, a survivor. This documentary tells her strange tale of the unexpected, almost like it was meant to be. See it, you will love it!
Review of Vampira and Me
