Baba Yaga

This weird, psycho-sexual horror tale -- the kind they do so well in Italy -- is based on an S&M-flavored comic series by erotic artist Guido Crepax, creator of the popular character "Valentina" -- played here by Isabelle De Funes. Valentina is a fashion photographer who comes under the spell of the enigmatic witch Baba Yaga (Carroll Baker), who may in fact be the legendary sorceress of Russian folklore. It is in this magical abode that Valentina eventually becomes a captive, tormented mentally and physically... or is it all the product of her overactive imagination? Director Corrado Farina seems unable to make up his mind either, choosing instead to get lost in the sensual ambiance which only vaguely manages to re-create the dark, hedonistic fantasy-land of Crepax's works.