George A. Romero’s is-he-or-isn’t-he vampire film may just be his best! MARTIN is a special 35mm presentation that includes a post-screening Q&A with lead actor John Amplas moderated by Fangoria’s Sam Zimmerman!

The father of the modern cinematic zombie (the one and only George A. Romero) is also the creator of one of the most subtle vampire films ever made, Martin. Set in the decaying urban landscape of Pittsburgh, the film contains much of the underlying social and political concerns expressed in the his Dead works. Here we have a young man named Martin who has been sent to stay with his elderly relative. Things are a little tense between the two because dear old Martin has a tendency to kill people for their blood (with razors, not teeth). It’s never quite clear if he’s actually a vampire or just someone with mental issues but it’s this ambiguity, the focus on the fine line between reality and unreality, that makes Martin so great.

Print courtesy of the Joe Dante and Jon Davison Collection at the Academy Film Archive.

Part of Nitehawk’s BITE THIS August midnite series.