PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I just had to pick my jaw up off the floor after watching Shane Ryan’s indie film, Guerrilla. It was that good. Described as “A 1980s adventure horror story,” the short film is just that. Although it’s only 13 minutes long, Guerrilla packs a lot of punch in its small run time, and with no dialogue whatsoever. But it doesn’t need any, because this short effectively tells the story it needs to tell, and emits so much emotion that the score is the only sound it needs.
Set in 1989, Guerrilla tells the story of a small town, 10-year-old filmmaker (Mars Mohamed) equipped with a Nintendo Power Glove and a video camera, who appears to be immune during a virus outbreak. The beginning reminded me of a 1980s commercial, with laughing teens drinking Slurpees and roller skating, living life and having fun before the impending outbreak. Some of these teens are seen shortly after, wearing gas masks and assessing the damage done to their town. Cut to townspeople being affected by the virus. Lots of blood and anger. I would wear a gas mask, too.
Shane Ryan (Mad Sin Cinema) not only wrote, directed and produced the short film, but he also shot it, edited it, and did the special effects and music. The cinematography is phenomenal, the music is insanely nostalgic, and the practical effects are extremely effective. Guerrilla is brutal and beautiful, and I’m still in awe at how fulfilling it was, even without any dialogue. Combine all of this with the neon title cards, crimped hair and blood, and it’s like jumping back in time a few decades. I, for one, cannot wait to see what else Ryan has up his sleeve.
To keep up with Shane Ryan, and his work, you can visit him at his website, Mad Sin Cinema, his Facebook page at Mad Sin Cinema + The Films of Shane Ryan, and @madsincinema on Twitter.
