Sundance is famous for introducing new filmmaking talent to the scene, as well as debuting new films from established voices. Among the films announced, two of the titles have deep roots in the Southern California haunt and horror community.
“Outlaws and Angels” (director and screenwriter: JT Mollner) Mollner is the creative mind behind Las Vegas’ acclaimed “Freakling Brothers” haunted house, which he runs with his father. Mollner is also credited for crafting “The Victim Experience”, one of the most intense haunted houses around. Outside of his haunted house work, Mollner has earned praise for his short films. “Outlaws and Angels”, a wild west thriller, is his debut feature film.
“Two by two, hands of blue.” The Blackout Experiments, Credit: Michael J. Pepin
“The Blackout Experiments” (director: Richard Fox) focuses on a group of friends whose lives changed when the Blackout Haunted House came to Los Angeles in 2012. Full (and very proud) disclosure: I am one of those friends! That’s right, yours truly is going to Sundance!!!
“On Wednesdays we wear pink.” Yoga Hosers, Credit: Allan Amato
“Yoga Hosers” (director and screenwriter: Kevin Smith) “Yoga Hosers” stars Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, and Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, as two eye-rolling teenagers working in a Winnipeg convenience store. Smith has spoken openly and affectionately about this project, and calls it a “homecoming”, as his debut film “Clerks” premiered at Sundance 22 years ago. Johnny Depp and Justin Long also appear in the film.
“31” (director and screenwriter: Rob Zombie) Zombie’s films have always been divisive, and it seems people either love them or hate them, and “31” promises more of the same. The plot tells the story of five friends that are kidnapped the night before Halloween and forced to play a violent game called “31”, in which they have 12 hours to survive against a gang of murderous clowns. Expect something, crazy, bloody and extremely demented….you know, a Rob Zombie film.
The rest of the lineup looks equally promising. “Under The Shadow” (director and screenwriter: Babak Anvari) takes place in Tehran in 1988, in the eighth year of the Iran-Iraq war, where a mother and her young daughter struggle to survive and stay together as war and revolution tear their world apart. Amidst the chaos a mysterious evil appears in their apartment. The film stands out as being in Farsi, giving a unique voice to the lineup.
“Antibirth” (director and screenwriter: Danny Perez) takes us on a drug-fueled odyssey, “Carnage Park” (director and screenwriter: Mickey Keating) has bank robbers running away from a psychotic ex-military sniper, “The Greasy Strangler” (director: Jim Hosking, Screenwriters: Jim Hosking, Toby Harvard) winner of the best title so far, focuses on a fight between a father and son during Big Ronnie’s Disco Walking Tour (the best and only disco walking tour in the city!) and “Trash Fire” (director and screenwriter: Richard Bates Jr.) forces a couple to confront a dark past.
Very little information has been released about these films, but video introductions by the filmmakers and log lines can be found on the Sundance website. No premiere dates have been announced, but as this is the Sundance Film Festival expect bold, visionary movies, showcasing new works from incredible talents.
See you in the shadows.
