The second part of the feature on some current film productions is a short entry on a Nottingham-based low budget horror company, Sick Bunny pictures, founded by brother duo Nikki and Jason Chatwin..
Nikki is the writer/director/camera having a background in art and film education making many short films prior to the sick bunny banner. Jason's roles include editor/camera with a background in music.
The brothers are extremely passionate about film of all sort but with SBP they are are focused on their true passion of horror and exploitation films. As Nikki told me; "we at SB also believe that the horror community is so loyal the indie horror film makers that we are almost like a "family" so for their loyalty we will listen to our fans and bring them exactly what they want to see".
The newest release from Sick Bunny pictures is a short film called 15-05-08
5-05-08" is a 'found footage' slasher film and is intended to be the first in a series of short films. The film is due for official release May 15th ( see what they've done there?) which will be free to watch online. This will be followed with a DVD release at a later date.
The plot as I know it goes something like this. The story takes place on the 15th of May 2008 when a group of 4 young adults witness a break in at a neighbour's house, which they believed to be empty for the weekend. Being the type of nosey teenagers that would make Scooby Doo proud, the group continue to watch the neighbour's house recording it which their video camera as evidence……...
So that's as much as I know at the moment. Nikki has been quite understandably restrained in how much he could divulge about the proceedings. I'll be interested to see how the well trodden sub-genre of 'found footage films' is treated here and whether is brings anything new or fresh in it's approach. For every 'Blair Witch' and 'Cloverfield' there are a plethora of others that seem just formulaic pale imitations and I will be honest in saying that it hasn't really been my favourite style of film. However, there are many film goers out there who disagree with me, plus, if Nikki's passion and enthusiasm is anything to go by, I am more than willing to be converted on the 15th of May!
So what of the future for these sick Bunnies?….. Well the next few days there is a huge amount of last minute work and publicising taking place, with new clips and information being added to their Facebook page literally as I write this piece.
After the DVD release of 15-05-08 they have a number of other ideas that they want play with, including a sequel to 15-05-08 called "untitled tape". There has been a hint of a production of a more traditional slasher movie, some plans for zombie films and sand intriguing plan for a more extreme topic called "Tools of the trade" (a progression of a short promo that they have previously made).
In addition to that, Nikki tells me that the most exciting thing about their future though is working with an extremely talented local effects company N-FX who will help bring the "Sick" to Sick Bunny Pictures. They can be found HERE
So all it leaves me to say is that in just a few days time, we'll find out just what happened to those pesky kids!
One of the unexpected joys that I've experienced since beginning this blog at the end of 2012 has been the completely unexpected outcome that anybody has wanted to read my self-indulgent ramblings. I was something of a nerd in my teens - when it was nowhere near as 'cool' to be nerdy or geeky as it is these days - and I find myself in my late forties and still a nerd at heart. And the great thing is, thanks to the social networking explosion, the Internet et al, there are many like-minded people out there.
Another side effect of the fact that this blog hasn't been an unmitigated disaster has been my growing appreciation of the thriving independent movie scene around the world. I've always been wary of being one of the mainstream and perhaps my nerdiness and teenage immersion in all things science fiction and horror was something of a barrier against the bland beige ordinariness of mainstream existence. Don't get me wrong, when it comes to science fiction, fantasy and horror, just because it may be mainstream, that doesn't necessarily make it bad. I really don't want to jump on the "there's too much reliance on CGI and special effects' bandwagon. While there may be some truth to that viewpoint, there is still great mainstream sci-fi & horror being produced. And don't even get me started on the joys of The Hobbit and LOTR.
However, ever since I can remember, I've had a special place in my twisted little heart for the more independent of film productions; John Waters, Russ Meyer, John Carpenter to name but three have all born testament to the bravery, inspiration, creativity and sheer bloody-mindedness it must take to fight against the expectations of the movie establishment to get a 'lesser' low-budget piece of work not only completed, but accepted. For there is a view held by many that is less than charitable when it comes to opinions towards low-budget independent movies, especially low-budget science fiction or horror. I won't list the plethora of 'accusations' again that I often hear directed towards these sub-genres - it has a rather unhealthy effect on my heart rate. Besides which, many in the indie movie field probably couldn't give a flying toss about peoples opinions, they just want to create the best work that they can.
So I guess that its up to the likes of me to fight their corner - whether they like it or not! Last week my latest blog entry was the result of being lucky enough to have been in contact with the makers of 'Spidarlings', a soon to be released comedy/horror musical. For which their Facebook page will give you the latest information on their project.
This week I'm highlighting 2 productions; one science fiction one horror. The first of which is in pre-production, the second one was released towards the end of 2012.
Iron Cloud
By Nikodem Wojciechowski
This group of independent filmmakers from Poland are led by the writer and director Nikodem Wojciechowski. The team is in the early pre-production stages of a short film Science Fiction drama 'Iron Cloud' - the sci-fi drama which is now in pre-production phase. The film begins shooting in June / July of this year .
A short while ago Niko contacted me and asked me if I would help spread the word about his upcoming science fiction production. As yet there are only a few details that I can share with you as Niko is understandably cautious in overdoing the amount of detail in regard to the plot and filming. So in the meantime we'll have to be satisfied with a few snippets of information for this soon to be filmed 30 minute long movie.
The film is set In a future of an unspecified date. Two brothers live in a poor, Eastern country which is ruled by corrupted caste of dignitaries. It seems that life for the brothers has taken a turn for the worse after the younger brother gets beaten during an interrogation and the older one’s home destroyed by a police raid. The boy manages to arrange a plan of escape to an unnamed free, technologically advanced neighbouring country. There will be no return. He goes on this one-way trip with the older brother and his wife and daughters they manage to evade the soldiers and break trough the closed border. However, during the walk through no-man’s land, when immigrants are so close to their dream goal, things get decidedly worse. Ultimately, the Technocratic West will welcome them with open arms and give them shelter but not exactly in a way they have always expected.
It will soon turn out that their new home - apparently a perfect place to live - is only a new version of prison which people build for one another.
Niko has told me that the inspiration and theme for the story are deeply rooted in the works of such science fiction luminaries such as Philip Dick and especially Stanislaw Lem. Writers who have also asked questions such as whether the physical elimination of violence, made possible by advanced nanotechnology, will result in a pure Utopian society? Or does the the nature of human behaviour mean that there results will be nothing more than dystopian?
The Iron Cloud team doing some pre-production location work
The film is intended to be less reliant on the CGI infested mainstream of science fiction and intend to delve into the psychological and social existence of a futuristic society as Niko says;
"It’s all about deliberately showing fragments of our world, and building the effect of strangeness like Jean Luc Godard - by placing foreign objects (props or behaviour) in it."
The film won’t give clear answers, won’t moralise. It will leave room for interpretation. The Facebook page link for Iron Cloud can be found here here
The very first teaser trailer below doesn't give any information at all - except for the stunning piece of atmospheric music that accompanies the simple sound formation film. However, if the rest of the production is as half as effective and emotive as the music, I can't wait to see more!
The first teaser video for Iron Cloud
Behind The Cross (2012)
by Macabre Media
Behind the Cross - Trailer [HD] (2012)
BEHIND THE CROSS is a 38 minute long 2012 independent horror film from Finnish director Tomi Kerminen. I can safely say that it's like nothing I've seen for some time.
Tomi - looking far less mad than in his movie
It is a film that, when I watched it for the first time today, simply blew me away with its relentlessly aggressive assault on the senses. That assault still lingered after the second viewing and left me with more questions than answers - which is something all pieces of art should do.
It isn't easy viewing, and nor should it be. Some people, even those well versed in the horror genre, will find the visual aspect of the movie brutality upsetting. Not only that, it isn't straight forward step by step story telling - oh no, it jumps cunningly from point to point in the story. Not only does this give us a sense of the insanity of the main protagonist, it also serves to install in the viewer a true feeling of not being in control of what we are seeing.
Beneath this brutal and unrelenting surface of the degradation, there are other things happening. Questions that Tomi Kerminen isn't at all afraid to ask us. But before I explore those questions, the story itself.
So how do I begin describing the plot?
Essentially it is the story of Father Michael, who when we join him in the movie, is already well down the road on his personal journey into the depths of insanity. To say that he is having a crisis of faith would be something of an under-statement.
It seems that a life that has been somewhat disturbed ( curtesy of some horrifying flashback episodes to his childhood) has now manifested itself beyond simple spiritual breakdown and become the literal definition of atrocity and horror. Father Michael's monstrous acts of violence and murderous depravity mirror his continuing ability to still find a psychotic link to his faith in the hope that god will still absolve him from the terrible sins he is committing.
So we have themes in this movie of sex, torture, insanity and religion. So no one to upset there then? Still not offended? Well ok then, as we also have scenes of a priest masturbating in his car, masturbating also to a shop mannequin, or him urinating over his still sleeping gimp. Jolly good. What is truly interesting about this film is the connection between the murderous mind go a madman and the world of his religious life. The film is rich in the symbolism of his faith and how it interacts with the priest's descent into insanity - this truly is a voyage into the ocean depths of a madman.
Yes it is brutal. Yes it is relentless in it's depiction of murder and madness. However there is also a genuine hint of the humour from Tomi and his approach to the subject matter. The humour my be on the black side, but it is humour nonetheless, and certainly not at the expense of the victims.
Tomi has described to me the style of his film as experimental, aggressive and even avant-garde. There is a definite nod to some of the masters and era's of horror - the influence of Tobe Hooper of The Texas Chainsaw massacre fame is certainly apparent. It is certainly all of those things, and more. It is beautifully shot, which together with the clever editing and lighting serves to continually unbalance and unsettle the viewer. Not only do we witness the priest's madness and depravity, we by virtue of the film's style, almost became part of the depravity itself.
It's not looking good for the Father….
I truly admire the risks that Tomi takes in producing a movie of this subject matter. Yes it is dealing with themes and actions that will offend many people. It is not for the faint hearted, nor is is for the closed-minded. For the movie is asking questions and it makes you think. But don't take my word for it, find it and watch it for yourself.
The Facebook page link for Behind The Cross can be found here.
I must admit to being immediately intrigued when I received a message to the Facebook page for this blog from Rahel Kapsaski, the artistic Director of Après Vague Productions informing me about the current production of their first Feature Film "Spidarlings". She kindly asked me if I would look at the trailer they had produced and if I liked it, would I write a few words about it on here.
Now, at this moment in time, the internet seems awash with independent productions of Science Fiction and horror, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The ability to make such productions as been revolutionised by the advent of the Internet and Social media - it truly is an exciting time for those of us that yearn for something a little different, something a little less 'mainstream' within these genres that we love so much. ……. and boy do I love something a little different.
I envy the creativity and drive that it takes to produce work on what is often the most meagre of budgets and limited location opportunities. That's not to say that mainstream horror for example should be disregarded in the belief that it has become too formulaic, there are numerous examples of productions that are still continuing to shine. We may not be in the golden age of horror of the 1970's any longer, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything out there worth paying attention to.
Sandra Samacá
(Director of photography)
The people involved in 'small' independent ventures like these should demand our appreciation and attention. They are the true cutting edge of Science Fiction and Horror at this stage of the 21st Century and since starting this little blog of self-indulgence I've been lucky to have been involved in a small way with some excellent people doing the most excellent of works.
So what is this Spidarlings?
Spidarlings is a Horror/Musical and a Tongue-in-cheek satire about the British Welfare system. The film, written and directed by Salem Kapsaki, set to songs and music by Jeff Kristian, is about to go into post production and will premier this summer at the DUFF ( Detroit Under ground Film Festival) and Film 4 Frightfest - not bad eh?
The movie is the story of Eden (played by Sophia Disgrace) and Matilda (Rahel Kapsaski)
And well, things just aren't going too rosy for the young couple who are near penniless and face being evicted by their landlord after falling disastrously behind with their rent. To make matters worse, no money is forthcoming from the social services, which is of little surprise as the girls have had a conscious lifelong fight against becoming one of society's normal people.
However, living on the edge of society has come at a price. so much so that Matilda eventually has to settle for working at a local nightclub (the wonderfully named 'Juicy Girls'), and soon suffering the attentions of the men who pay to drink and talk with the girls of the club - she hates it.
Could things get worse for the lovely couple? Erm, yes.
Could life get any weirder than it is already? Gloriously so.
For soon the female staff at "Juicy Girls' start suffering hideous deaths at the hands of a sadistic serial killer, which is not a good thing. What is good is that as a consequence of the killings, a good deal of money comes into Matilda's hands. This turn of events doesn't please Eden, well that is until she is 'persuaded' to accept the newly acquired money with with a present of a tarantula spider ( the present of choice for all of us naturally). However, the arrival of the very 'special' Spider has profound effects on one and all!!
So I ask you to watch the trailer for the movie (see below). Put aside any pre-conceived notions that you may have about Independent Horror productions……. I ask you, just where can you go wrong with Horror, Drag Queens, Lesbians, a nightclub called 'Juicy Girls', mass murder and a very special Tarantula Spider called Rainer?! If that wasn't enough, there is also a guest appearance from the legendary director, Lloyd Kaufman of The Toxic Avenger fame….. well I'm sold.
Lloyd Kaufman as Mr Banner with Sophia
Disgrace and Rahel Kapsaski
One final thing, I implore you to listen to the film's title song by Two Russian Cowboys feat CleoSpider in love. I listened to it earlier today and it's completely addictive.
If you love your John Waters, Divine and The Cramps…… you will love this I hope. I can't wait for the full movie later in the year and hope to be talking to some of the film's contributors soon.
For more information on Spidarlings - their Facebook page is here.
