PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Once again, I had the pleasure of reviewing a block of short films at another fabulous film festival! This time, it was The Final Girls Berlin Film Festival 2021 Shorts Block: Young Blood. The festival describes the block as “these protagonists may be small, but they pack a punch. This program features a strong selection of films with young protagonists, combatting real and supernatural horrors.”
The Rougarou
Directed by Lorraine Caffery and stars Jacob Tolano (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Victoria Dellamea (Killing Time TV series).
Synopsis:
A fierce story about a ten-year-old girl who vows to catch and kill the Rougarou, the fabled werewolf of Louisiana lore, after the monster wreaks havoc on her neighborhood. This film combines family conflicts, class and race-based politics, and fable to paint a harrowing portrait of a city and its ills.
This film is intense. The story is great, and it twists and turns in totally unexpected ways. Both Jacob Tolano and Victoria Dellamea are absolutely incredible. I really didn’t see the end coming, so brace yourselves!
She-Pack
Directed by Fanny Ovesen and stars Elen Kippersund Frogner, Martine Hammerstad, and Wiktoria Oliwia Grzegorczyk.
Synopsis:
Anarchy emerges at a public pool birthday party when a group of small girls push the limits of their strength and power. Underdog Ronja challenges the girls’ alpha female to battle for dominance. The game escalates quickly, and as the thirst for power grows, Ronja and the other girls lose control.
This film is a slow build. It is great the way group dynamics can effect actions for better or worse… It wasn’t quite what I expected, and it isn’t as much of the horror film that I want it to be, but I really enjoyed the psychological aspects of it. All of the girls are so great… just as awful as I remember them being.
The Little Demon
Directed by Carol Van Hemelrijck and stars Kaedi Atkins, Giles Cooper, and Sean Van Lees.
Synopsis:
Every night, the same thing happens: Giles and Sean’s daughter runs around the flat, screaming, scratching walls – possessed by a demon. They’re terrified of their own daughter and don’t know what to do about it.
Hands down, this is my favorite of the bunch! Great lighting, well shot, and hysterical! All three actors are great, but kudos to Kaedi Atkins as the possessed daughter. If you are only able to track down one of the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival 2021 films, this is the one!
The Curse
Directed by Ellie Stewart and stars Meaghan Cooper, Siobhan Cooney, Christi Dos Santos, and Raul Olsen Galvao.
Synopsis:
When a young girl becomes jealous of her little brother for receiving money from the tooth fairy, she hatches a peculiar plan to cash in.
Wow, and I thought that my sister was a little crazy for pulling her teeth to get money from the tooth fairy. OMFG. This one is so creative! Kudos to everyone involved—especially to everyone who came up with the costuming! Brilliant stuff!
Bakemono
Directed by Jorge Lucas and Sumire Takamatsu. Stars Claudia Fabella, Shio Muramatsu, and Dice Suzuki.
Synopsis:
Today is February 3rd, known in Japan as Setsubun. Families celebrate by casting out evil spirits from their homes. But this family’s young daughter has other plans…
Certainly the slickest of all of the films in the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival 2021 with the best looking post production. One of the best of the bunch, too. This is a very interesting look at Japanese culture and demons. The little girl is a perfect mix of obnoxious and oblivious, and the demon is fantastic!
Read another PopHorror writer’s thoughts on this short here.
Fish Whiskers
Directed by Roney and stars Rebecca Chan, Juliet Di Gioacchino, and Holly Macintyre.
Synopsis:
A visit to a secluded family cottage takes a mysterious turn after three best friends discover a dying catfish by the hillside.
This one is a little bit more mysterious. The actors are all great, and I love the entire atmosphere, but I have to admit that I’m not certain I entirely understood the premise. If anything, I’d love to see this one be stretched out even longer to allow for more time to develop the plot even further.
This was a fantastic group of shorts for this year’s Final Girls Berlin Film Festival! You can see the Shorts Program 4: Young Blood on Saturday, February 6, 2021. You can view the entire virtual schedule here.
