Frightfest Diary Day Four: Day of the Dead 2, P, Antibodies, Wolf Creek

3.05pm P (Dir. Paul Spurrier)

Moving onto slightly more serious fare, was Paul Spurriers rather decent P. This was another director-introduced movie, with a Q&A after. This deserves quite a lot of credit, due to the fact that it was the lead actresses (Sangporn Jaturaphut putting in a credible performance) first movie role, initially being hired as an extra, but being offered the lead as a last minute option when the other actress dropped out just before filming. This mythical ghost story is beautifully shot, and compelling look at the Taiwanese sex industry to which our young heroine becomes unwittingly embroiled. If I have any particular faults, it’s that it often leans towards exploitation. The actress in question apparently being 17 years old at time of filming, but looking (and playing) much younger, it often roamed into rather lascivious territory, not least the showgirls style ending credits. Yet another bizarre yet interesting fact, at the Q&A after, the director (who starred in the movie) told us that he was not intending to star in the movie, but during a particular scene with a snake, his actor dropped out, meaning he had to fill that particular role. Additionally, the evil spirit in P was initially supposed to be suggested in the acting only, but he got carried away adding effects to her on his PC. Credit to the director for making such a strong film, despite all its production problems.

6.15pm Antibodies (Dir. Christian Alvart)

Our second to last movie of the day was the solid, if somewhat formulaic German thriller Antibodies. A Silence of The Lambs alike thriller, in which Country Policeman Michael Martens (Wotan Wilke Moehring) attempts to solve the mystery of a little girl’s murder, whom recently captured serial killer Gabriel (Andre Henniicke) may or may not have killed. A game of cat & mouse ensues, as Gabriel plays mind games with Martens, as he struggles to uncover the truth. This movie was introduced by its director, Christian Alvart and was a decent and effective thriller.

9.00pm Wolf Creek (Dir. Greg Maclean)

The final movie of the festival was one that I think the majority of festivalgoers were looking forward to the most. It’s hard not to be sucked into the hype surrounding this little movie, but I have tried not reading a thing about it leading up to the UK premier. The question is, does this wolf have the bite to back up the bark surrounding it?

Set in backwoods Australia, Wolf Creek follows two British Tourists and one Australian on a cross-country drive, who stop along the way at Wolf Creek National Park, the site of a famous meteor crater. On getting ready to leave, they not only discover their watches have stopped, but their vehicle will no longer start. Preparing for a long night spent sleeping in the car, they notice approaching headlights and think help is at hand. Only this stranger doesn’t have good intentions at heart.

Based on a missing persons incident, this is a strong debut from first time Director Greg Maclean (who also introduced the movie). As our likable cast are drugged, abused and tortured we are dragged along with them. Intense and brutal, this is survival horror in the vein of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Switchblade Romance. Relentless, vicious and thrilling, it’s a heck of a ride.

Which is where, sadly, the movie stumbles. With the intense build up and sudden outbreak of violence, it seems to end before it’s even started. It’s unfortunate when a movie is damaged by it’s own hype, but sadly this seems to be the case here. Let me just clarify one thing, Wolf Creek may not be as hardcore, as hype would suggest. Not that it’s not thrilling or nasty (it is), just that this is not the movie to push the viewer to another level of brutality. If you expect it to be so, you may be sorely disappointed.

Which is an unfortunate thing, as Wolf Creek is an otherwise excellent and visceral piece of entertainment. Well made, extremely well acted and a thrill ride all the way. My suggestion is ignore the hype, and just enjoy. As this wolf still has a lot of bite in it.

Round up.

On a final note, throughout the festival we were treated to a number of short movies and trailers (sticking to the genre), including extended snippets of Tobe Hooper’s new movie Mortuary (which doesn’t look too impressive in all honesty) and a video link with Hideo Nakata (Ring), which had a few technical problems. I would however like to give a nod to a 6-minute short movie called ‘The Eel’. Directed by Dominic Hailstone, he came on stage and said it was made on a budget of £300, filmed in his bedroom and was inspired by ‘The Thing’. Set to a rocking beat, as something nasty writhes around in a fish tank, this was a really superb bit of filmmaking, especially considering its budget. You can download it at http://www.colonelblimp.com/directors/dominichailstone/

Finally, thanks to Alan, Paul and Ian, for yet another great FrightFest.

Gummo.