PopHorror Let's Get Scared
One of the great joys of reviewing films is watching a talented director tell a complete story or a fully realized snippet of life in a short period of time. Recently, I had the privilege of reviewing the Ethereal Fantasies block of shorts from the North Bend Film Fest 2021, and I was not disappointed!
Cracks (A.K.A. Bruche)
Directed by Andrea Cazzaniga (For Sahara) and starring Athena Strates (As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me) and Lea van Acken (Dark TV series)
Synopsis:
Two friends embark on a journey together which will test the limits of their friendship and uncover dark secrets. Reality and imagination start to blur. Can they trust everything they see?
This is, hands down, the best of the North Bend Film Fest’s Ethereal Fantasies bunch. I was achingly sorry when this one ended. Cracks could be a training guide for filmmakers on how to create dread. The visuals are kept dark, allowing for just natural or minimal light which only enhances the growing terror for the two girls. The acting is superb, especially from Lea van Acken. Please, make this one a feature film, I’m begging you.
The Cocktail Party
Directed by Jessica Sanders (After Innocence) and starring Charlotte Taschen (Velvet Buzzsaw), Eugenia Yuan (Into the Badlands), Jen Sung (Rush Hour 2), and Dugan O’Neal (The 4th)
Synopsis:
A cocktail party turns into an unexpected martial arts action film.
Gosh, this one is a lot of fun! A complete change from the first film, The Cocktail Party is just a great time. Charlotte Taschen is a force of nature as the heroine of the piece who gets to break free (or does she?) from her demeaning day job.
Atrophy
Directed by Nick Hartanto (King of the Rails) and Sam Roden (The Dishwasher) and starring Bert Matias (Dig Two Graves – read our review here), Irene Tsu (Cold Case TV series), and Liza Fernandez (How to Get Away with Murder TV series)
Synopsis:
A stroke victim descends into a nightmare after her husband unearths a mysterious object from their garage.
I have to say, I will never, ever, forget this one, and I’m not sure that I’m happy about that. This film is one hell of a gut punch. It’s a tale that needs to be told, and the filmmakers did an amazing job, but part of me wishes I’d never seen it.
A Tale Best Forgotten
Directed by Tomas Stark (Delira) and starring Jerker Beckman (Must See), Julia Sporre (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), Adam Stalhammer (Katalysis), and Ola Wallinder (Forever and Never)
Synopsis:
In a house by a river that lamented as it ran, lived a father and his daughter and a dog-headed man. A murder ballad.
The shortest of all North Bend Film Fest Ethereal Fantasies films, this one relies on music and striking visual imagery to carry it, and it almost succeeds. My main concern lies in the section filmed upside down for some reason. When a film is so short, every single moment must have a purpose.
Young Forever
Directed by Stevie Szerlip and starring Young Lee, Sarah Kang, Robert Deer (Without You), and Sorel Carradine (The Good Doctor)
Synopsis:
A Korean entrepreneur living in Los Angeles is entangled in a pyramid scheme that goes far beyond beauty product endorsement in an elliptical thriller about risk, survival and loss.
I’d like to start out by saying what a force of nature Young Lee is. Regardless of what the film itself is about, Lee has the charisma to carry it. Young Forever is a slick thriller packed into a short running time and could easily be made into a feature film.
Golem
Directed by Ryan Cauchi (Cut Off) and starring Steve Maresca (Skinford), Jaimie Leonarder (It Grows!), Matt Rudduck (Total Control TV series), and Matt Clayton (Doorknockers)
Synopsis:
Nazi-occupied Prague, 1939. A group of German soldiers search for a fugitive Rabbi in the basement of an abandoned synagogue, unaware of the horror awaiting them.
I absolutely adore this one! Someone, please make give this cute little guy his own movie franchise! In all seriousness, this was a good example of how a good monster movie can be made without a lot of money.
Skinner 1929
Directed by Aaron Blanton (Mortuary) and starring Rebecca (The Prototype), Ethan Crystal (I Know This Much Is True), and Katrina Braun (The Tuna Conspiracy)
Synopsis:
In the fall of 2021, an obscure online channel streamed what has become the most talked-about mystery on the internet.
This is that footage.
My second favorite of the North Bend Film Fest Ethereal Fantasies bunch. Certainly the slickest in terms of editing. Skinner 1929 is mostly made of found footage from 1929 and audiotapes. It’s very clever and thoughtfully made. The acting is just terrific. This is one not to be missed!
This wraps up our coverage of the Ethereal Fantasies shorts block from 2021’s North Bend Film Fest. Have you seen any of these shorts? Which one is your favorite? let us know in the comments!
