Nunsploitaton with vampires, what more could you possibly ask for?
Spain, 1755. Headstrong Ana is sent to a convent against her will, only to discover that several of the nuns are suffering from a mysterious affliction. An independent priest tells Anna about a dark ancient legend: the bloodthirsty Upiro.
With Upiro, director Óscar Martin and screenwriter Elena Muñoz put a new spin on the nunsploitation genre, bringing 18th-century Spain vividly to life in a story that blends fiction with historical facts. The ‘Upiór’ (literally: bloodsucker) is a genuine figure from Slavic folklore, a kind of primordial vampire, and there are historical accounts of mysterious incidents involving vampirism in southern Spain. Meanwhile, the film also explores the traditional gender roles imposed on women – expected to be modest, obedient and sexless – from a modern perspective, while highlighting the enduring conflict between religion and science.
