Virtual Vampire

Running time: 92 mins

Merz is a scientific phenomenon. A jobless, middle-aged alcoholic, he finds his world defined by a surreal and hypnotic atmosphere. A young parapsychologist, Dr. Andres, has discovered Merz's remarkable ability to project "PSI-images" of his thoughts and sometimes future events on a TV screen and seeks to obtain scientific proof of those abilities through a series of clandestine experiments. Unfortunately, both Andres and Merz soon discover that the only way to successfully achieve the desired results is if Merz is somehow arousedÑunfortunate because Merz soon turns his eye obsessively to the doctor's girlfriend, May, for inspiration. The research then takes a drastic turn. As the obsession grows, May develops a dark fascination, and Merz can no longer be seen through the lens of a camera. Director Michael Busch based his story on the true events of Chicago man, Ted Serios, whose "thoughtographs" were famous in the late Sixties. Virtual Vampire captures the allure and mystery of legendary vampire tales, capturing the modern worldÕs fascination with technology. It is through a commanding visual presence, however, that auteur Busch enhances and defines a distinctive encounter. --Mike Rabehl