For the first time in the history of Slovak cinema, a new soundtrack is being released for the legendary animated film The Bloody Lady. Electroacoustic composer Claire Rousay presents her album The Bloody Lady, offering her unique musical interpretation of Viktor Kubal’s iconic 1980 animated film. The album is set for release on November 8, 2024, under the Thrill Jockey label.
American composer Claire Rousay, known for her innovative approach to experimental and ambient music, created the new soundtrack to Kubal’s The Bloody Lady in her Los Angeles studio. The album’s tracks evoke the dark atmosphere of the story while standing as a standalone musical work. It consists of eleven pieces, each bringing a fresh perspective to the more than 40-year-old animated masterpiece.
The soundtrack was first performed live during a screening of the film at the Film Fest Ghent in Belgium last year. Rousay’s live performance of the score allowed the audience to experience Kubal’s animation through her distinct musical style.
The Bloody Lady, based on the dark legend of Elisabeth Bathory (1560 – 1614), tells the story of a Slovak noblewoman accused of murdering hundreds of girls and women. Her motives were terrifying: she believed that bathing in their blood would keep her young forever. The film begins like a classic Disney fairy tale but quickly spirals into a tragic, dark narrative.
The heartbeat is central to both the film and Rousay’s score. “The actions surrounding the heart are pivotal in the film, and, along with its heartbeat, they formed the initial pulse of the score”, says Rousay. Her compositions are filled with hints of mystery and subtle tension, incorporating everyday sounds and nature recordings that create an ethereal yet unsettling atmosphere. Rousay used synthesizers, piano, modified violin sounds, and various field recordings to create layered sonic textures.
Rousay visited Bathory’s castle a year before she was commissioned to create the soundtrack. She recorded the sounds of the forest, the castle grounds, and even the ambiance in a local bar. These recordings found their place in her live performance. “A coincidence I couldn’t have dreamed up, even if I wanted to”, she reflects. The Bloody Lady marks a new direction in her career, where her meticulous musical sensitivity and attention to detail find a home in film scoring. This soundtrack has become a personal project for her, casting new light on Viktor Kubal’s work and helping it receive the recognition it deserves.
