PopHorror Let's Get Scared
As much as I love all types of horror films, my favorite genre will always be found footage. Even a terrible found footage film is a lot of fun. But I love when directors find a new way to make their genre unique and fresh like Butterfly Kisses. This is the case with director Mehran C. Torgoley’s new film Curse of Aurore. The film is partially based on the real case of Aurore Gagnon, who was brutally murdered in 1920 and is ingeniously framed using an actual YouTube channel to make it appear as if it were real footage. All of these make the entire film teeter back and forth between reality and fiction.
Synopsis for Curse of Aurore
A “Dark Web” thumb drive discovered by viral YouTuber, Casey Nolan, reveals disturbing footage following Lena, Aaron, and Kevin, three American filmmakers visiting rural Quebec to research the true child murder case of Aurore Gagnon, a girl who died as a result of brutal child abuse inflicted by her parents in 1920. As the filmmakers search for inspiration in the quiet farm town of Fortierville, the place where Aurore died and is buried, they witness a number of bone chilling paranormal occurrences ultimately leading them to an attempt to communicate with the deceased child. Armed with a stolen book called “Languages of the Dead,” and a rosary from Aurore’s childhood home, the filmmakers take part in a make-shift seance, foolishly releasing a demonic force that can only be contained through a brutal and archaic ritual.
Three filmmakers, Lena (Llana Barron – Committed), Aaron (Lex Wilson – The Transgressor), and Kevin (Jordan Kaplan – Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire) have traveled to Fortierviille, Quebec, Canada, to research the story of the torture and murder of Aurore Gagnon. As is typical in these cases, everything goes horribly, terribly wrong.
All three filmmakers interact with each other in an organic way that makes their banter feel natural and fluid. They seem like actual people and not actors. More than that they seem like the struggling filmmakers they are portraying: looking for the next big story, but also realizing that very few people will ever see their film even if it gets made. On a side note: Kevin is definitely a friend you would not want to take anywhere. The guy is an incredible kleptomaniac. That is not a compliment. On the other hand, he certainly knows how to move a plotline along.
I have to say I really loved this film. There were some genuine moments of creepy terror in it. The location of rural Canada was perfect, and I loved the weirdly religious overtones that were reeking out of the entire town. From the creepy overabundance of crosses in Lena’s family home to the bizarre, zombie-like group of neighbors casually shuffling around. There are plenty of great scares and some good practical effects towards the end. It’s always impressive to me what filmmakers accomplish on a low budget. The acting is terrific, and as much as I wouldn’t want him as my friend, hats off to Jordan Kaplan for his portrayal as the utterly obnoxious (yet strangely endearing anyway) Kevin. Now that’s some good acting.
Curse of Aurore is a film found footage fans should not miss. But chances are any horror fan will love it too! It is now streaming via Digital HD and Video On Demand!
