Frightfest Glasgow preview: Byzantium Simon Fitzjohn January 24, 2013 Features, Film4 Frightfest 2459 I know us film critics are meant to be a miserable, cynical bunch, but occasionally a still from a film appears and catches you off guard, with its arms open, gently whispering ‘you must see me’. That, ladies and gents, was how I felt after setting eyes on the official image for Byzantium (shown above), a vampire flick with a difference from director Neil Jordan. Now if that makes me shallow, then so be it – but I’m still looking forward to the film nonetheless. Gemma Arterton plays Clara, a 200-year-old vampire intent on draining the earth of its scum. Tacking along for the ride is her daughter Eleanor (Saoirse Ronan), who has a penchant for the blood of the elderly. Clara works as a prostitute to pay the bills, eventually setting up her own bordello in a sleepy seaside resort – but then their troubles begin… Jordan obviously has serious pedigree with this type of material, having brought both Interview With The Vampire and A Company Of Wolves to the big screen. Early word suggests this is a bit of a slow-burner, but Frightfest fans get to check it out on Friday, February 22.