Vampires have feelings, too.

It's film focus time in New York City as the Tribeca Film Festival slogs along through the weekend. Normally, despite being somewhat of a cinephile, this festival has never really turned me on. It's just too difficult to view films unless you have ridiculously advanced notice or ties to the industry. The crowds, however positive they may be for smaller productions, also deter me from seeing other independent movies that may otherwise be playing without the theatrics.

However, I was fortunate enough to get two free V.I.P. tickets to see a film by Swedish director Tomas Alfredson called Let the Right One In.

Let the Right One In is an unusual mix of adolescent love story, coming of age tale, and Vampire horror. The story centers around Oskar, a lonely twelve year-old boy who lives in a working class area of Stockholm. He's bullied violently and spends his nights reading about murders. His other activities include stabbing trees while imagining they're his torturers receiving necessary revenge.

A "father and daughter" soon move in unannounced in the apartment next to Oskar's. Eli, the new girl, and Oskar quickly engage in conversation and become friends. However, the relationship is made complicated by the fact that Eli is a vampire. Her adult male caretaker also targets boys in order to feed Eli's blood lust.

Somehow the story is told in a way that gore turns to dark comedy or heartwarming instances. You'll squirm, you'll giggle, and then go "awww" just as a victim goes lifeless (or limbless, headless, etc..).

This movie has little exposure, but if you get the chance please go see it.