Directing
In the late 19th century, powerful dynasties built their palatial homes on the Vienna Ringstrasse, the boulevard that surrounds the historic heart of the imperial capital. Going back in time, this documentary invites us into the intimate lives of these wealthy Viennese families and reveals their ambitions, dreams, fears and failures over the generations.
In 1731, nineteen "vampires" were burned at the stake near Olomouc, including seven children. In Banat, a part of present-day Serbia, reports of "people drained of blood" became more frequent. Empress Maria Theresa wanted to put an end to the goings-on and commissioned her personal physician Gerard van Swieten to shed light on the matter.
