The art house cinema relic!
In this dark and disturbing psychological horror, aging London prostitute Leonora (Elizabeth Taylor) befriends dreamy, childlike Cenci (Mia Farrow), who reminds her of her long-dead daughter. At Cenci’s stately mansion, their bizarre relationship evolves into a mother/daughter act as abusive stepfather (Robert Mitchum) and callous aunts (Peggy Ashcroft and Pamela Brown) try to insinuate themselves into the young woman’s life.
Blacklisted by Hollywood in the 1950s, filmmaker Joseph Losey found creative sanctuary in Europe and made eclectic movies like The Servant, Accident, and Boom!. Here Losey shapes semi-hallucinogenic imagery, a modernist score, and strong supporting performances into a surrealistic identity film about abuse, trauma and loneliness. Filmed largely on location with disorienting Gothic tinges, the brooding Arts & Crafts mansion itself seems full of anguish. Secret Ceremony is also notable among Taylor’s fascinating string of lurid psychodramas (The Driver’s Seat, Boom, Ash Wednesday, X Y and Zee, Night Watch).
Presented with an introduction by series host Nathalie Atkinson.