Bradley Barton's Thoughts & Picks Of This Years Horror Festival
Here at RHIFF, in just our second year, we are extremely fortunate to have received such a great depth of quality submissions. We welcome not just horror, but independent fantasy and science fiction movies as well and celebrate the creative freedom such a gala affords.
For unlike the huge corporate blockbusters with their tiresome special-effects sequences and clique of actors, budget constraints for the independent movie-maker demand creativity and ingenuity, which in turn necessitates for a diverse, often courageous, singular narrative.
Yet those creatives who aspire to the heights of moviedom may well discover this path to be replete with difficulties, for it is a place of exclusivity, where success is measured in financial terms and not in originality or expertise. Indeed, nowadays mainstream might just as well be renamed remakes, reboots, spin-offs and sequels, a situation I suspect few artists would desire to be involved in.
Thus, it is the independent movie world where inspired moments of discordance, vitality, even flashes of brilliance can be found and it is these very works that become beacons of hope in an artform becoming more shackled by industry conglomerates and their unquenchable thirst for nothing more than greater and greater riches.
Accordingly, I am thrilled to have David J. Ellison’s short movie, Familiar: A visual and audio treat of momentous, menacing proportions that creates a desolate, emotional ambience that speaks a horrific allegory to the evils of exerted power, control and abuse. Jonathan Zaurin’s feature, Wyvern Hill: A tale that interweaves the consuming darkness of Alzheimer’s, the stark calamity of life and the inescapable grip of mortality resulting in a tapestry of cinematic moments that are hideously horrific and deliciously delightful. Transfert: Jonathan Degrelle’s short science fiction offering, provides us with a visual feast of the highest standard. His diligence to period detail, props, furnishings and set design are truly outstanding and along with Russian’s ominous, atmospheric score, some fine animation and fight choreography, super acting, we find ourselves transported into a world of true, oppressive horror. If you like time travel, don’t be late for this one!
Just three of the exceptional movies that will be shown at RHIFF this year.
I know, first and foremost, that festival attendees are lovers of the weird, the macabre and the fantastical and in recognition of this fact feel confident you won’t be disappointed with this year’s unique selection of movies.
I look forward to seeing you there.
