Celebrated author of Gothic fiction, Anne Rice, passed away in 2021, age 80. But in the four years since, her son Christopher Rice and friend Eric Shaw Quinn began planning an elaborate Celebration of Life for her fans. It took place in Anne’s birthplace (and setting of many of her novels), New Orleans, Louisiana. On November 1, 1,400 devoted fans came from all around the world. Many came dressed in costume, paying tribute to the creator of the Vampire Lestat and the Mayfair Witches. Now, a documentary that premiered at the event will premiere for free on the official Anne Rice website on Thanksgiving. You can check out the first clip below, via All Hallows’ Geek:
The documentary covered many of the major events in Anne Rice’s life. It begins with her childhood as Howard Allen O’Brien, before she chose a new name for herself, Anne. It elaborates on her marriage to poet Stan Rice, and how she turned the worst moment of their lives, the death of their six-year-old daughter Michelle from leukemia, and channeled that grief into her first novel, Interview with the Vampire. That led to forty years of Vampire Chronicles books. Not to mention, several historical novels, and erotica that sold almost as well as her mainstream books.
Anne’s Son, fellow author Christopher Rice, said, “The event was about the fans and for the fans. We were all here to honor my mother’s life, legacy, and unwavering connection to her fans and New Orleans, the city she loved and called home. We laughed, cried, and recounted endless stories, preserving the memory of my mom, and how her words moved and changed the lives of so many around the world.” Rice’s characters are more popular than ever, thanks to AMC’s Anne Rice Immortal Universe. So this documentary presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate the person who started it all, nearly fifty years ago.
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