PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist. PopHorror fully supports the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their efforts.
As a fan of short films, I was excited to have the opportunity to watch the Horrorblast! block of shorts at this years’ GenreBlast Film Festival. I selected my five favorite films of the nine shorts to discuss for this article.
“The Wyrm of Bwlch Pen Barras”
Directed by Craig Williams (Nosepicker) and stars Bryn Fon (Hidden TV Series) and Morgan Hopkins (Torchwood TV Series).
Synopsis:
Early one winter morning in the town of Ruthin in North Wales, three men are called upon once again to carry out a terrible assignment on the Bwlch Pen Barras mountain pass.
Stark and paranoid would be the best way to describe this little slice of folk horror. There is a sense the entire time that *something* must happen, but it is so terrible that it cannot be named. I absolutely loved, loved, loved this one!
“Ride Baby Ride”
Directed by Sofie Somoroff (Love is a Fire) and starring Celina Bernstein (Me Time).
Synopsis:
Celina Bernstein plays a young car mechanic who purchased the car of her dreams, a 1978 Camaro.
If anyone ever sells you a car acting shady as hell and like they can’t get rid of the hunk of junk/cursed object fast enough, take heed. Christine isn’t the only bloodthirsty motor vehicle out there. That being said, I thought this was a lot of fun. Celina Berstein was really terrific in the main role and it was bolstered by great practical effects.
“Sempre Avanti”
Directed by and starring Matthew Barber (Go Back) and Nathaniel Barber (Spector of Weeping Hill).
Synopsis:
Two U.S. soldiers plunge into a suspected enemy combatant tunnel system during the Vietnam War only to awaken unparalleled horrors.
I thought this was the best of the bunch. This short was full of great atmosphere, good acting, and a mysterious sense of dread. We never see what the ‘evil’ is, but we know it’s out there. We also know that real soldiers never back down, but always push ahead!
“The Watcher”
Directed by Nathan Sellers (Super Mephitic) and starring Sandrine Morin (Don’t Bother with Dames).
Synopsis:
Danielle, the last member of a small religious cult (The Children of Enoch), awaits the resurrection of her recently departed “sisters” and their leader, Father Enoch.
I’m a sucker for cult films, and this one was a fun watch, making it a close second to “Sempre Avanti.” The photography was gorgeous, and Sandrine Morin (as the sole survivor) is ethereal as she waits.
“Hims”
Directed by Krsy Fox and starring Elle Riot Fox (Little Bites) and Mark Kelly (Turnt TV Series).
Synopsis:
A mother deals with a sinister entity living in her daughter’s room.
Whenever an adorable kid starts telling you that you should be afraid of something in the house, just listen. And by listen, I mean scoop up your kid and get out of the house! This film had a great use of sound and music to ratchet up the tension. My only real quibble was that they chose to keep it super dark. Honestly, if I’m investigating a crashing sound in a my kid’s room, I’m turning on a light, not blundering around in the dark. But everyone (even the child) gave great performances!
All of these films in the Horrorblast! Shorts block deserve to be seen, and I love venues like GenreBlast Film Festival that give them this opportunity. Happy watching!
