CAREFUL
Taking place in the fictional alpine town of Tolzbad, the residents have to be extra quiet in everything they do, as the slightest sound could trigger a deadly avalanche, which could engulf the town.
Amongst this you have these 2 brothers, Johann and Grigorss, one of which develops some rather “unhealthy” leanings towards his mother, whilst the other decides to challenge the local nobleman to a duel, after their mother declares she actually has feelings for him.
There's also this other brother, Franz, that's locked up in the attic, who is mute, but is visited by the ghost of their deaf and blind father, who tries to warn him of impending doom. But as he can't talk, or leave the attic, he is unable to warn anyone.
If all this sounds a bit weird, the film is also shot in the style of a 1930s silent film, with some scenes colourwashed, like they did with some old B&W films. And if that wasn't enough, the film appears to be shot as a comedy. As there were too many funny scenes, for the humour to have been incidental.
Difficult to know how to describe it, but its very much an “arthouse” sort of film, but it came across to me as a Mel Brooks style spoof of German expressionist films.
If you like weird, arty films, you should enjoy it. But otherwise, you'll be left scratching your head what it was you just watched.
View the trailer on YouTube.
YOU ARE THE FILM
It turns out that the two are characters in separate films and somehow, the two films have intersected. But realising they are viewing each others story, they devise a way of helping each other out, by telling one another what's happening in each others film. So they can, hopefully, change their outcomes.
A very bizarre, offbeat, sci-fi comedy. The Director had previously written the scripts for the similarly weird "Beyond The Infinite Two Minutes" (2020) and "River" (2023). I personally thought this was hilarious and loved it, particularly as the stories get progressively more bizarre towards the end.
If you like weird films, definitely give this one a go.
View the trailer on YouTube.
IMPOSTER
Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) and Charlie Barnett (TVs Chicago Fire) take the central leads, as a couple with marital problems, who have just moved out to the countryside to try and start over.
But things take a turn for the worse, when their child disappears during a housewarming party and no one claims to have seen anything. But then things get really strange, when their child mysteriously turns up again, several days later.
It soon becomes obvious to the husband, that although this baby looks like their child, it might not actually be theirs. But as his wife's behaviour becomes extremely erratic, he soon begins to wonder if she is who she claims to be too...
A very intriguing film, which keeps you guessing as to what is going on right up till the end, when things take a very dark twist. Although I struggled with it, due to the bleak ending (which I won't spoil for you) and the fact that it had no real likeable characters. But if you like dark thrillers, this one is definitely for you.
View the Trailer on YouTube.
The final film of Day 2 of the Mayhem Film Festival was the somewhat disturbing gothic horror MARAMA, from New Zealand Director Taratoa Stappard.
Set in the Victorian era, a young Maori girl from New Zealand travels to Whitby in Yorkshire, after receiving a letter from someone there, claiming he has knowledge of her parents.
Having been adopted by a Missionary couple, she is eager to find out who her real parents were. But upon arriving at Hawksmoor manor, where the letter told her to go, she is upset to discover that the person that sent the letter died several weeks ago.
The lord of the manor, a chap named Nathanial Cole (Toby Stephens), seems enthralled by the fact she is of Maori descent and eagerly offers her a job of Governess, to help look after his granddaughter.
She reluctantly agrees, hoping to find out more about the person who wrote to her, only to discover there's definitely something “off” about the place, not least because of Cole's obsession with Maori culture...
Starting off as a sort-of period drama/thriller, it soon takes a few very dark twists, as it seems supernatural elements are trying to warn her of something and Cole is harbouring a very dark secret...
I'm not usually into these period pieces, but this one certainly kept me enthralled. If you like gothic horrors, then definitely give this one a go.
View the Trailer on YouTube.
And that was it for Day 2, so it was off to the hotel to prepare for Day 3
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