#doriana gray

[watching-pictures-move]

Movie Review | Doriana Gray (Franco, 1976)

When I’d seen a lot fewer of Jess Franco’s movies, I used to joke about his constant zooms, but I think this movie, one of my favourites of his filmography, shows how intoxicating the effect can be. The sex scenes here are as explicit as any in hardcore pornography, and the camera certainly gets closer than would be polite to the performers’ intimate areas, but there’s something about the way the camera pans across their bodies, zooms out from one part of their anatomy and zooms in to look at their faces, and adjusts focus like a breath of excitement, that feels sensual to me that the sheer explicitness of these scenes might not initially suggest. In a much less graphic scene, Monica Swinn walks by as Lina Romay plays the piano and stops to kiss her and the camera loses focus, conflating the characters’ arousal with ours and certainly Franco’s. Swinn, who is something of an audience surrogate here, initially approaches Romay to interview her for a feminist magazine, and the zooms on both their faces during a conversation (while Swinn eats fruits with a knife and fork for some reason), emphasizing Swinn’s openness and curiosity and Romay’s pout and round brown eyes, let us be seduced along with Swinn. Revisiting this so soon after my viewing of Draguse provides for an interesting contrast, as Swinn is the one doing the seducing in that movie while she is being seduced here. Also interesting to note is the fear one of Romay’s characters has about the impermanence of her beauty, when Franco would movingly continue to convey her beauty throughout his work as the two remained together for the rest of their lives.

The fact that this largely takes place in one location gives it an appropriately intimate effect, one which primes us for seduction. I do think it’s worth noting that the architecture of Romay’s castle, as with many historical buildings in parts of Spain, seem to be of Moorish influence, and the soundtrack includes eastern sounds like mandolins or sitars. While one could take issue with a certain glibness here, I find Franco takes an attitude of appreciative exoticism when evoking the Islamic world. There’s a willingness to find beauty in the architecture and channel its seductive qualities in ways that complement the ambience in his movies. At least from the ones I’ve seen, the effect hasn’t seemed disrespectful. And I think the décor here provides a nice visual complement to the bursts of colour provided by Romay’s costumes and the surrounding palm trees, and even the glimpse of the rainbow that provides one of the movie’s most memorable images.

And there’s that classic Franco sense of fluidity, rendered somewhat literally with the seaside rhythms and the denouement in the pool and other, more explicit images I’ll let you discover for yourself. And even the English dub with which I watched this (for some reason my DVD included the French audio but no English subtitles) adds to the insularity, the heaviness of the dub almost evoking the echo that you’d get in an underinhabited castle like this, and complementing the morbid dissonant effect the movie deploys during cries of both pleasure and anguish. There is a sense of tragedy here, evoked by Romay’s vigorous dual performances, of characters ultimately felled by their appetites or otherwise cursed to purgatory. But perhaps they are less so succumbing than willingly surrendering. This movie was the subject of my first published piece, something I’m a bit proud of (especially as I got published a total of two times and gave up trying immediately after when I got my first rejection), and I noted there how strangely inviting the conclusion feels. Which is appropriate, as this is a movie about seduction.

[obesericewrites]

What are some of your favorite WIPs?

Oh this is gonna be a long one, also keep in mind I’m only listing five ! There are so many that we’d just be here all day if I wrote them all down😅

@never-never-land return to never landed was the first WIP IF that took my heart! I just loved how each character was developed in just the RO asks alone, plus the demo was just amazing! I cannot wait to see what they do in the future ^^

@doriana-gray-games The Adventures of Sherlock Homes was an WIP that had my attention the beginning it was released! I loved the Sherlock series and the books, so the chance to play Sherlock was an opportunity I couldn’t miss! Plus romancing Watson and lestrade….well I couldn’t t miss that either!

Kals @the-kingshound is so good! I love the concept and just the characters are amazing! I also love the fact that in the demo (which you should check out) you can choose to be silent! Just the small details that you can choose is amazing.

@absentia-if wip named Absentia caught my attention the second I looked at the ROs! (Especially one being the Ex) I just love the little snippets of them along with the world they live in. I’m also interested in the kidnapper that we may or may not know, mystery’s all around~

@thesecrimsonstrings-if is such a good concept! The both supernatural aspect and the soulmates had me hooked the second I read the intro post. Im so excited for future chapters!!

[motylemanuel]

Tak, kdo si myslíte, že to letos vyhraje

credits za nápad naší kamarádce @ssslllssslll (skládáme nefunkční vládu z postav z klasické literatury)

[windysaturday]

oscillate wildly

[notsogreatdion]

✶ INTERACTIVE FICTION RECS ✶

✶ Project Hadea - @nyehilismwriting (wip)

✶ The Exile - @exilethegame (wip)

✶ Vendetta - @vendetta-if (wip)

✶ When Twilight Strikes - @evertidings (wip)

✶ The Northern Passage - @northern-passage (wip)

✶ Merry Crisis - @merrycrisis-if (wip)

✶ Diaspora - @diasporatheblog (wip)

✶ Infamous - @infamous-if (wip)

✶ Fields of Asphodel - @chrysanthemumgames (wip)

✶ Eyes of Shan - @eyesofshan-if (wip)

✶ A Comedy of Manors - @sviyaginthegreat (wip)

✶ Wolf Set Free - @wolfsetfree-if (wip)

✶ Honor Amongst Thieves - @leoneliterary (wip)

✶ Thicker Than - @barbwritesstuff (wip)

✶ Soulmates Inc. - @soulmatesinc-if (wip)

✶ Crown of Ashes and Flames - @coeluvr (wip)

✶ Virtue's End - @virtues-end (wip)

✶ You Live and Fern - @beetlebethwrites (wip)

✶ Attollo - @attollogame (wip)

✶ Wayfarer - @idrellegames (wip)

✶ The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - An affair of the heart - @doriana-gray-games (wip)

✶ Superstitions 1, 2 - @13leaguestories

✶ Seven Days in Purgatory (I don't think this one is ever getting finished, but it has a special place in my heart)

⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣ ✶

VN'S

✶ A Date with Death - @twoandahalfstudios

✶ 14 Days With You - @14dayswithyou (wip)

✶ Blooming Panic - @robobarbie

✶ ERROR143

✶ The Good People - @moiraimyths (wip)

✶ Our Life: Beginnings & Always - @gb-patch

✶ Our Life: Now & Forever - @gb-patch (wip)

⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣ ✶

if recs 2.0 & new projects recs

[himbeereule]

IF Recommendations

Tired of waiting for updates from me? Just go play something else in the meantime!

For example, one of these:

Birds of a Rose (or any other of his projects, they're all good) by @reinekes-fox

Just Kiss Me (Forum post)

Defiled Hearts: The Barbarian ( @defiledheartsblog )

Remember, You Will Die by @vapolis

Drink Your Villain Juice ( @drinkyourvillainjuice )

We Wretched Creatures by @darkfictionjude

Such Happy Campers by @girlfromthecrypt

Fox of Sunholt ( @foxofsunholt )

Spellbound (Forum post)

Infamous ( @infamous-if )

Apartment 502 ( @apt502-if )

When Twilight Strikes by @evertidings

Mind Blind ( @mindblindbard )

Whiskey-Four (Forum post)

The Flower of Fairmont (Forum post)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - An affair of the heart by @doriana-gray-games

Soulmates Inc. ( @soulmatesinc-if (I can't tag properly because I'm blocked for some reason ;_; )

Parasitical ( @parasitical-if )

Eyes of Shan ( @eyesofshan-if )

Vendetta ( @vendetta-if )

The Abyssal ( @theabyssal )

Folksaga ( @folksaga-if )

These are all*, in no particular order, my favorites, so if you're seeing this because you're following me because you like my project(s), there is a high chance you'll like these as well. Which means it's the most logical course of action for you to go play them. The fabric of the universe basically demands you to.

*except, knowing my brain, I probably forgot a few :/ if I suddenly remember something else, I'll make an addendum...

[deathlooksgoodonyou-if]

hi! while we're waiting for your if to come out (i'm so excited to read it when it does btw!), do you have any ifs to recommend?

COMPLETED.

Fallen hero - @fallenhero-rebirth (hosted games)

I, the forgotten, one. (Hosted games)

Samurai of hyuga (hosted games)

The golden rose - @anathemafiction (hosted games)

Arcadie : second born - @sofia-d-asb (itch.io/steam/playstore)

Blood moon - @barbwritesstuff (hosted games)

Evertree saga (hosted games) (book4 wip)

WIP.

The adventures of Sherlock homes : affairs of the heart - @doriana-gray-games (dashingdon)

Shepherds of Haven - @shepherds-of-haven (dashingdon)

The bastard of camelot - @llamagirl28 (itch.io)

Mind blind - @mindblindbard (dashingdon)

Wayfarer - @idrellegames (itch.io)

Defiled hearts : the barbarian - @defiledheartsblog (dashingdon)

The northern passage - @northern-passage (itch.io)

Fields of asphodel - @chrysanthemumgames (releasing soon!)

The abyssal - @theabyssal (dashingdon)

Folksaga - @folksaga-if (dashingdon)

Zorlok - @zorlok-if (itch.io)

Infamous - @infamous-if (dashingdon)

Ctos - @collegetennisoriginstory (dahsingdon)

Merry crises - @merrycrisis-if (dashingdon)

Apartment 502 - @apt502-if (dashingdon)

The six that thrive - @the-six-that-thrive-if (itch.io)

One knight stand - @oneknightstand-if (dashingdon)

Project hadea - @nyehilismwriting (itch.io)

Thicker than - @barbwritesstuff (dashingdon)

Drink your villain juice - @drinkyourvillainjuice (dashingdon)

[doriana-gray-games]

New romantic Lestrade minigame 🥳🎉

Have you ever wondered who they were before?

Before all that darkness that clouds their mind and forces their mouth to speak far too little or far too much?

Meet what I dub "douchestrade" 💖

Far too much confidence, and not enough humbling going on at all.

... I have no idea if this is selling it or not. But basically, this is an AU mini-game, of Lestrade without their downward spiral, a little younger, and far too many thoughts of Sherlock.

Enjoy 😙❤️✨

Ps. Try at least both of the two main branches. They are very different!

[if-whats-new]

What's New In IF? Issue 12 (2024)

By Erika, Marjorie, Axelle, and Noi

Now Available!

Due to the early release of this issue, any release or update during June 28th unmentioned here will be included in next week's issue.

Itch.io. - Keep Reading below

Due to Internal things, the June and July issues will only update on events and games. We hope to resume regular activities and include more pages by August. Note: while Axelle is mentioned, they are currently on a break.

~ ENDED ~

The Rayuela (Spanish IFComp) released the ranking for this edition. Congratulations to the winners!

Both the Otome Jam and the Josei jam have ended this week, totaling almost 200 new VNs intended for female audiences.

Love/Violence also recently ended, with a dozen entries about love… and violence!

Eleven entries were submitted to the French jam Nouvim3000, with less then 3000 words!

Thanks to the record breaking submission count, the Neo-Twiny Jam managed to raise over $600 this year!

~ ONGOING (VOTING) ~

The 17 entries of the ParserComp are ready to be played and judged! Until the end of July, you can cast your votes!

~ ONGOING (SUBMITTING) ~

Like every July, the IFComp has opened once more their website for intent of submission, a required step to submit your game! You have until August 1st for the intent, then August 28th for the game! They are also looking for an artist to design their yearly logo! (paid)

While it is not IF-focused, the Anti-Romance Jam is once again looking for anti-romance submissions!

Did you submit an intent to the IntroComp? The deadline to submit your prototype is coming up! Don't forget, on July 31st!

The deadline for the Fix the Worst Visual Novels (Jam) has been extended until July 15th!

Are you a fan of Bluebeard? A jam focusing on the tale and its interpretations is ending this weekend!

Thinking of trying to make a Visual Novel? Try your hand at the O2A2 Jam, where you can only have one asset (of each type) and 1.000 words!

For the francophones, the French IF community is organizing a summer-long camp to create parsers. Join the Confiture de Parser if you're interested!

Until the end of July, a chill IF (text-only) game jam is happening on itch, from the Interactive Fiction Club.

~ OTHER ~

The Interactive Fiction Showcase is still running! If you have completed an IF piece this year, consider submitting it! It is happening only on itch!

~ NEW RELEASE ~

The Siren's Bet (Twine) is a short fantasy text game, where your path crosses a siren's. @kessielrg

Summer Night (Twine) is a short slice-of-life game about meeting friends. @lokeloski

Don't forget to check the events mentioned in previous pages! There were a lot of really cool entries!

~ NEW RELEASE (WIP) ~

Secunda Reforge (RenP’y) is a highly stylistic dark-fantasy and gothic visual novel. @secundareforged

Hubris (Twine) is a dark-fantasy project where you incarnate the Champion of the Gods. @hubris-the-if-game

Dragon Kin (CScript) is a high-fantasy project about struggled and power.

The Devils Privilege (CScript) is a young adult modern-fantasy project with twists.

Prismatic (CScript) is a personality-based death game with a focus on horror.

Wake to weep (CScript) is a mature mystery project with sci-fi tones.

Eschaton: The Rebirth (CScript) is a high-fantasy project with a battle for good and evil.

Phantasmagoria (CScript) is an extension project of a previous short game based on Greek Mythology.

~ GAMES UPDATES ~

A Shriek of Ash and Fire (CScript) has updated, doubling its word count, over 100k. @krogpile

Path of Martial Arts (CScript) has updated their Patreon's demo.

Drink Your Villain Juice (CScript) has made the last major update public. @drinkyourvillainjuice

Oh Mother, Where Art Thou? (CScript) has added extra content to the demo.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (CScript)'s Patreon demo has been updated. @doriana-gray-games

Luuckey United F.C. (CScript) has doubled its wordcount.

Scarlet Sorceress (CScript) has updated the demo.

Citadel (CScript)'s last update is now available to everyone. @bouncyballcitadel

Agents of Lucifer (CScript)'s demo now includes chapter 8 and 9. @aprismaticodyssey

One Knight Stand (CScript) has added the second part of Chapter 2 to the demo. @oneknightstand-if

The Bar of the Abyss (CScript) has been updated with extra content. @thebarontheabyss

The Thousand of Us (CScript) updated both the Patreon and public demo. @ivanwm-05

Honor Bound (CScript) has released Chapter 7 for the public demo. @hpowellsmith

Attollo (Twine) has released the Pariah's route for the Patreon's demo. @attollogame

Honor Among Thieves (CScript) made a quick update to the demo. @leoneliterary

The Story of Sin (Twine) added two full chapters to the demo. @devilishmango

The Abyssal Song (Twine) added Chapter 3 to the demo. @ri-writes-if

A Sun Asunder (CScript) almost doubled the wordcount of the demo. @asapostapocalypseif

The Curse of Cassandra (Twine)'s demo has been updated with more content. @thecurseofcassandra-if

~ OTHER ~

The Queer Games Bundle (@queergamesbundle) is still available on itch.io for another week! Support a bunch of queer creators (including Interactive Fiction authors!) by purchasing the bundle!

The new issue of the Amare Fortnightly Bulletin is out! Check it out here! @amaregames

Tears of Tianchao (Twine) is looking for beta testers. @redbeanbunsworld-if

The Dragon's Flagon (CScript) is looking for beta testers.

Let's Make IF is back for a second season of tutorials on how to make Inform 7 games. @golmac

We apologize if we missed an update or a release. We are but volunteers trying to find as much info as possible, but sometimes news pass through the cracks.

Please, let us know if something should have been added to the zine, and we will shout it out next week!

ERIKA, MARJORIE, AXELLE, AND NOI

WHAT'S NEW IN IF? 2024-ISSUE 12

[beezified]

Before he closes the door, he leans in and tells you,

Then the carriage is closed, the horses head on, and Lestrade's midnight eyes disappear from view—

Wow um... This is my first time drawing how I would think Lestrade look like so it might not be what you would think how they look like 👉👈

Scene from the amazing IF An affair of the heart by @doriana-gray-games

Bonus:

Without coat and close up

[arrapso]

For best girl @doriana-gray-games c: , year 2

[allieebobo]

Do you have any if recommendation?

Ooh! I have really, really bad memory(!!) but these are current faves that I have played/replayed recently that I can think of. A lot of the authors are also THE BEST HUMAN BEINGS EVER. So, double recommendation.

I probably missed a bunch out, so take this as a non-exhaustive list! In no particular order:

(Edit: Added some descriptions but yeah I got a little unhinged so I'm sorry nothing makes sense or if the quality of the write-up went down over time/did not actually give you any useful info)

WIPs with demos

Citadel, @bouncyballcitadel (I think of all the IFs on this list, this one makes me sweat the most. And I've said it once and I'll say it again: the dialogue is so snappy and well-written, and characters are SO DAMNED LOVEABLE.)

Infamous, @infamous-if (I've been manifesting Band/Musician IFs for the longest time, and then this popped up! I've even played Choice of a Rockstar, that's how desperate I was... Anyway, this is legions better than that. Angsty ex routes are my kryptonite, and Seven is just. Inevitable.)

Defiled Hearts: The Barbarian, @defiledheartsblog (I went into this wanting something juicy and fun/historical—and it's all of those things, but I didn't expect it to be so damned funny, too. The ROs are all impeccable.)

Raiders of the Caravan and Apartment 3-3, @leftski-if (A'ight listen, fantasy slice-of-life is my fave genre, and these are IT. Like, everything I never knew I needed in my life, and SO cozy/wholesome, with a cast of characters that I want to befriend in real life.)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: An Affair of the Heart @doriana-gray-games (First off, the customization in this game is INSANE, and the branching too. I've replayed a couple of times and the little variations I discover each time just blows my mind. Secondly, it's so funny and written so well. Ngl I'm not a Sherlock fan but that's just testament to how amazing this IF is.)

When Life Gives You Lemons, @when-life-gives-you-lemonssss (Modern slice-of-life with an adorable kid, a bunch of hot ROs, CC. Hill's humor, what can I say?)

Golden @milaswriting (Really interesting world-building, one of the coolest fictional cities I've read in an IF, AND I'm obsessed with the ROs, in particular K de la Renta. Also Mila is such an awesome writer, I'm beyond excited for @beyondthegame.)

A Tale of Crowns @ataleofcrowns (This game is beautiful, polished, and SO exciting. Honestly, it looks like the kind of game created by a whole-ass game studio and would cost $50 to buy, it's that good. I really got swept up by this IF—probably played it all in one go.)

Rougi @rougi-if (Again, another game with scrumptious visuals/UI and also is just so well-crafted. I love the premise too, it's so original and fresh.)

Scout: An Apocalypse Story @anya-dev (Unfortunately this one might be on hiatus but I am/was really, really obsessed.)

Wayfarer @idrellegames (Love the game mechanics of this one, and the visuals. Probably controversial, but I like the D&D / random dice effect. And I also like the fact that it feels like an old-school RPG.)

Chop shop @losergames (The premise is all I needed to be sold, really—I'd always wanted to buy GTA as a kid but my parents were like NO WAY. Anyway, this IF did not disappoint, and let me live all my childhood dreams.)

Edit: AHH! How could I forget, one of my recent faves, Folksaga @folksaga-if (Lush atmospheric writing, super unique premise—norse mythology, plus I'm head over heels for Katla).

Completed IFs

Butterfly Soup 1 and 2 @brianna-lei (these are completed and I will never not promote them. Honestly the most adorable, wholesome, funny sports/coming-of-age IF I've read)

Elsinore: After Hamlet @lapinlunairegames (Insanely cool premise, insanely cool execution)

The Thick Table Tavern @manonamora-if (I love bar/tavern games, and this one actually lets you mix drinks! Instant fave.)

Other HGs/COGs I love: Slammed, Tin Star, Fallen Hero, If it pleases the court, A Player's Heart (these last two are so underrated, though I guess cause it's mainly wlw)

[itsbluesaint]

Why flirt in front of Watson, Sherlock tsk tsk.

Characters are from aaoth by @doriana-gray-games

[morbethgames]

February 14th, 2024 Update!

Hey all, I'm gonna be trying to do this weekly now. So, quick update on things, first and foremost the book as that's what most of you come here for! I am 11k words in and about a little halfway done with the path that lets you participate in the next part with Lance and Alvarez. There is going to be quite a bit of variation in how a PC can choose to approach this scene; those Combat Stats exist for a reason!

As for things going on with Patreon, I have decided on a schedule!

Patreon content will release on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

I am going to attempt to stick to that schedule as consistently as possible, and I'm off to a good start on that! Part 1 of The Bureau Audiobook went up today and part 2 is going up on Thursday. Not to mention the small short story introducing the character Buck Marcellis went up last Thursday! The story is around 2.5k words long, if I remember correctly. An extra little thing going up today as well is the Poll to see what Interactive Fiction I will be reading as an audiobook next. That's right:

You will get to pick the next audiobook reading!

I've gotten a bunch of different author's consent to make audiobooks of their work, so anyone who is a subscriber to the Patreon, you will have a direct say in what Audiobook goes up alongside the one for The Bureau! Options include things like:

Kingdoms and Empires

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - An affair of the heart

When Life Gives You Lemons

Honor Amongst Thieves

The Operative: Fires of Revolution

Defiled Hearts: The Barbarian

Along with a couple of others that are on the list for possibilities!

Over the next few months, I will be more active for sure, and you can expect the update for The Bureau to come out before the end of March (I hope). Thank you all so much for sticking with me, and I hope to see you over on the Patreon, which, thanks to hyperlinks, you can conveniently find

RIGHT HERE! <-

The Forum Page for "The Bureau"

The demo for the game itself!

Thank you all so much for reading this update and for sticking with me and continuing to do so for the future! You are all awesome! Also big shoutouts to @when-life-gives-you-lemonssss, @kingdoms-and-empires, @theoperativeif, @leoneliterary, @doriana-gray-games, @defiledheartsblog for giving me permission to read their work on my silly little attempt at Patreon content; you guys are awesome!

Stay Brilliant,

-Vi

[thedoover-if]

Hey I'm obsessed with this IF! How did you come up with this premise and what are your favorite IFs? Were you inspired by any? Good luck with your writing, can't wait to see how this turns out😁

hi thank you!!!!!

i always had this whole idea but it was originally supposed to be a book with the love interest being the ex-spouse. so no game or anything just a simply book you read haha. i dont even remember how i came up with this but its been with me for a long time now

my favourite ones right now are:

infamous by @infamous-if

absentia by @absentia-if

the adventures of sherlock holmes - an affair of the heart by @doriana-gray-games

next in line by @nextinline-if

crown of ashes and flames by @coeluvr

a world without you by @jaunefleurwrites

notavurient by @kalorphic

adoriel's tears: the gift of tears by @adoriels-tears-if

and so many more!!!!! everyone's so talented im still discovering new ones every day haha but here are a few

[i know these dont have demos but im so excited for these too: @ellawrites-if (PACIFIC RIM ANYONE?), @theinseparables-if, @dahliahills-if, @duskysprings-if (I LOVE GRAVITY FALLS) and many more...]

ive been inspired by all of the IFs ive read LOL this is very new so im taking notes whenever i read new ones

[defiledheartsblog]

Thank you @dereliction-if for tagging me! Tagging @doriana-gray-games @when-life-gives-you-lemonssss @sofia-d-asb @pdrrook @leoneliterary A collection of pics/memes to describe the vibe of my game: