The aim of this final report is simple - shine some extra light on the interesting ideas and choices filmmakers are making in 21st century genre cinema.
How was Britflicks.com’s first Virtual Frightfest? Over six months into a global pandemic, it was heartwarming and a fantastic to be connected to so many like-minded folk, even if bumping into familiar faces never happened on the landing as I raced for the loo, like you would in the foyer of the Empire Cinema. Like so much of 2020, adapting to the circumstances is the key to not cutting yourself off completely. Checking in with online Frightfest community via Facebook made watching films engaging and fun all over again. Congratulations to everyone who helped make it happen. Very much appreciated at Britflicks Towers.
The aim of this final report is simple - shine some extra light on the interesting ideas and choices filmmakers are making in 21st century genre cinema. Hopefully they encourage you to hunt out a few and support indie filmmakers.
THE BEST OF THE FEST
HONEYDEW (USA)
Written and directed by Devereux Milburn
This film understands the importance of the eerie and sustaining dread. It doesn’t waste its time trying to make you jump. It wants you to squirm in your curious uncertainty.
LOS QUE VUELVEN (aka THE RETURNED) (ARG)
Directed by Laura Casabe
Written by Laura Casabe, Lisandro Colaberardino and Paulo Soria
Casabe’s accusatory camera stares in utter disbelief at the colonialists, constantly questioning their motives. It reminds you so much of Jennifer Kent’s grim portrayal of the Brits post-genocide of native Australians in THE NIGHTINGALE (2019).
RELIC (AUS)
Directed by Natalie Erika James
Written by Natalie Erika James, Christian White
Natalie Erika James’ feature film debut is a smart, considerate and, if it’s not too much of an oxymoron, a caring horror film.
THE BEST OF BRITISH
CONCRETE PLANS (UK)
Written and directed by Will Jewell
Will Jewell’s CONCRETE PLANS is BOYS FROM THE BLACK STUFF (1982) and RIFF-RAFF (1991) meets BEST LAID PLANS. It is the nightmare reality of Thatcher’s vision for a society-free Britain.
THE WORLD WE KNEW (UK)
Directed by Matthew Benjamin Jones & Luke Skinner
Written by Matthew Benjamin Jones and Kirk Lake
The search for the truth and people to trust is at the heart of all good drama. Or as one of six men holed up in the decrepit cottage puts it: “Everyone’s alright until they turn out to be a cunt”. It’s a tension that’s present in every scene of this beautifully acted neo-noir chamber piece about crime, regret and the ghosts of the past that never leave you.
DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING… FAVOURITE TWISTS
HONEYDEW (USA)
Written and directed by Devereux Milburn
The implications of knowing Gunni’s true identity turns HONEYDEW on its head.
LOS QUE VUELVEN (aka THE RETURNED) (ARG)
Written by Laura Casabe, Lisandro Colaberardino and Paulo Soria
Manuel isn’t Julia’s son.
BLOOD HARVEST (CAN) aka CURSE OF AUDREY EARNSHAW
Written and directed by Thomas Robert Lee
Agatha Earnshaw, mother of anti-hero Audrey, is a virgin.
THAT SOUNDS GREAT… BEST MUSIC
HONEYDEW (USA)
Written and directed by Devereux Milburn
Like scores for HEREDITARY, THE VVITCH and THE DESCENT John Mehrmann’s skincrawling, atonal music for HONEYDEW doesn’t just signal a mood, or an emotion, it wants to ensure the film is felt to your marrow.
FOR THE SAKE OF VICIOUS (CAN)
Written and directed by Gabriel Carrer & Reese Eveneshen
Gabriel Carrer’s synth score hits you as hard as reluctant heroine, Romina, hits the men in her house with a claw hammer.
YOU NASTY BASTARD… BEST VILLAIN
ED (Willem de Wolf) in TAILGATE
Written and directed by Lodewijk Crijns
Neat and tidy Ed may dress like man from C&A, but when he’s turning the psychological screw on Hans and his family, he displays the kind of calm and calculated menace you’d associate with Javier Bardem’s paid assassin, Anton, from NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007).
TAILGATE on Digital HD October 26
I DON’T WANT TO DIE… BEST KILL
HOSTS (UK)
Written and directed by Adam Leader & Richard Oakes
So many to choose from but none were as cold, unrelenting and brutal as Samantha Loxley smashing Jennifer K Preston’s head to a pulp with a claw hammer while the rest of family watched on in utter disbelief.
CHEER UP MATE, IT MIGHT NEVER HAPPEN… BIGGEST LAUGH
SLAXX (CAN)
Directed by Elza Kephart
Written by Patricia Gomez, Elza Kephart
Much harder to judge when you’re watching at home… When a pair of killer jeans isn’t funny enough, you give the animated, bodyless item of clothing a Bollywood dance routine, don’t you?
DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN… MEMORABLE SCENES
FOR THE SAKE OF VICIOUS (CAN)
Written and directed by Gabriel Carrer & Reese Eveneshen
With no way out, and no clue of what is going on, Chris and Romina escape upstairs. Chris admits: “I don’t know what to do right now, but something is happening that is completely out of my control. I can’t do this by myself.” It’s a wonderfully unheroic prelude to the mayhem to come.
TAILGATE aka BUMPERKLEEF (NL)
Written and directed by Lodewijk Crijns
The hilarious ‘slow’ car chase through a tight, cycle friendly suburban housing development. It’s the absolute antithesis of the American nightmare road movie trope of being forced to drive so dangerously fast on the open the highway, by your newly acquired nemesis, that you’re bound to crash. In this very Dutch context, everything about the layout of the roads is designed to slow you down and consider other road users over the car.
TAILGATE on Digital HD October 26
HELD (USA)
Directed by Travis Cluff, Cliff Lofing
Written by Jill Awbrey
When the tables are turned and Emma Barrett is lay face down in the back of her car, faking she is out cold, knowing her husband is in on the terror plot she’s endured and he’s no idea. “Those aren’t my keys,” he says to the handler as he expects to drive off into the sunset with his newly obedient wife.
THAT WAS SOME PERFORMANCE… BEST ACTING
HONEYDEW (USA)
Written and directed by Devereux Milburn
BARBARA KINGSLEY’s portrayal of Karen blindsides you so much, you’ll want to rewind the film to ensure there wasn’t a body switch at some point. Dotty, polite, welcoming, loving, but then behind that crooked smile and generous food portions she’s as ruthless as any horror fiend you want to suggest.
THE BANISHING (UK)
Directed by Chris Smith
Written by David Beton, Ray Bogdanovich & Dean Lines
SAM HARRIS as harbinger of doom HARRY PRICE. This wild-eyed, rebellious outsider, unafraid to confront evil in all its forms, but still maintains the sheen of calm and stiff upper lip of a true British horror film hero.
DEAD (NZ)
Directed by Hayden J Weal
Written by Thomas Sainsbury and Hayden J Weal
THOMAS SAINSBURY is pitch perfect as Marbles, the hapless loser who can talk to ghosts.
FOR THE SAKE OF VICIOUS (CAN)
Written and directed by Gabriel Carrer & Reese Eveneshen
LORA BURKE’s Romina character is the reluctant hero we all hope we can be.
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