Bari Kang’s ‘ITCH’ (2024) – Movie Review

I grew tired of modern zombie movies except a select few. Even though zombies used to be my number one subgenre, I felt it was too fast and inconsistent. I grew apart and settled with the classics. Bari Kang’s ITCH! made my skin crawl, and I loved every minute, though Bari Kang is a seasoned filmmaker approaching horror for the first time. I still catch myself itching too much, even with dry skin.

I know you are itching for the review, so here we go!

Synopsis

In this gripping tale of survival ,a horrific outbreak known as the ITCH! spreads like wildfire,turning its victims into frenzied,self destructive shells of their former selves.Jay,a widower grappling with grief and desperation,seeks refuge in a seemingly safe department store alongside his estranged young daughter,Olivia.However,the sanctuary they believed would protect them becomes a nightmarish trap,revealing that the true danger lurks among them.

With the infection closing in and paranoia escalating within the group, Jay and Olivia are forced into a harrowing battle—not just against the outbreak outside,but against the darkness with in human hearts when faced with survival .With every decision bearing the weight of life and death,they must confront their fractured bond and make brutal choices to stay alive,leading to an unimaginable climax that will leave you questioning what it truly means to protect those we love.

ITCH! thoroughly entertained me and gave me hope for an overused subgenre. The approach and story are so creative that it’s hard not to believe this could happen. What would happen to humanity? I don’t know because my zombie attack plan involves looting grocery stores and bunkering in Home Depot. ITCH! made its way into my heart with the aesthetic alone. It reminded me of all the corner shops I visited as a kid, with penny candy and 6-day-old donuts. I didn’t care, though; it still carries good memories. So when I saw the originality, I was hooked.

ITCH! is inspired by a true event I witnessed at my family’s discount store,which also serves as the main setting for the movie. Without revealing too much, I saw abizarre scene involving a wild customer which left a lasting impression on me. This experience compelled me to create a film around it. I grew up watching movies from the70s, 80s, and 90s. As an immigrant, I often felt like an outsider, and film became my refuge, and my work drew inspiration from that era of filmmaking. My previous films were influenced by my long-time idols, Scorsese, Tarantino, and Melville. With ITCH!,I aimed to pay homage to classic horror films like Dawn of the Dead, The Mist, and 28 Days Later.

At its core, ITCH! is a story about the fractured relationship between Jay and his daughter, Olivia. Their journey to mend their bond serves as a powerful reminder of love and healing, even amid brutal difficulties. As a young parent, I often grapple with the fear of not being able to care for or protect my children. It’s natural to worry and imagine the worst-case scenarios. This film is an extreme expression of that fear. Every character in this story grapples with the heavy burdens of loss and guilt—two of them is profound and painful human emotions. These feelings can lead individuals down unexpected paths, prompting them to take actions that can be both heart-wrenching and redemptive. It’s a reminder of how deeply our struggles can shape our choices and lives.

We created this film on a modest budget, focusing on our strengths and embracing our weaknesses. Although we lacked resources, we compensated with hardwork and creativity. My goal was to collaborate with like minded filmmakers and actors who share a passion for the craft and are dedicated to creating compelling stories despite the challenges. As a versatile DIY filmmaker, my work is recognized for its gritty realism and nuanced portray also, ethnic characters. I thrive on telling stories with depth that highlight under represented minorities, all while maintaining high production values despite budget constraints.

-Bari Kang

In The End

ITCH! is in the corner right now, with no trailer or much publicity. It lurks in the shows to drive your senses and expectations off a bridge at full speed. When it does hit you, you notice that there’s something special here. Something away from military units fights off zombies with machine guns; they are all the same, and ITCH! kicked them right in the teeth. The set was simple but did so much for the shop’s safety against something you won’t understand. You might want to throw away judgment and enjoy ITCH! if you get the itch. You won’t be disappointed when it comes to practical FX. There wasn’t much digitally added at all—the perfect B movie killer.

ITCH! premiered December 7th at Dances With Films Festival.