If you had come to Frightfest and saw this title on offer without actually reading what it was about or what it promised, then you could be forgiven, based on what the festival offers and continues to do so, for thinking this was a spoof movie about a pseudo-horror film. As it stands, it is a real-life documentary chronicling the making of a recent horror film, Red Christmas, which played at Frightfest recently.
Horror Movie: A Low Budget Nightmare opened this year’s London Halloween Frightfest all-dayer and, based on reactions, was the fans’ pick of the day. Gary Doust’s film is both a cautionary tale and a triumph-over-adversity affair that will make you cringe, cry and laugh. If you are an aspiring film-maker and a film-school student, then this is must-see viewing.
Aussie actor Craig Anderson is tired of playing quirky TV supporting roles and as a result decides, like the best of most aspiring actors looking for life beyond the norm of an artist, to have a go at creating a horror film with the idea of an abandoned foetus that seeks revenge on its family. Strained of funds and inspiration, he seeks the financial backing of his brother who has got a secure background in property and other endeavours, as well as his parents.
Matters become even more complicated when he seeks the services of a name actress, in this case legendary genre veteran Dee Wallace (The Howling, Cujo and that low-budget studio film by the name of E.T!) who has been talked into flying out to Australia to play the lead, despite the fact that Craig has misunderstood the rules about Screen Actor’s Guild requirements and the knowledge of infinitely more talented and creative individuals. Can he win the day and achieve his cinematic dream?
Frightfest guests will often only ever reveal brief reflections on their films during the introductions and post-screen Q and As which, given the limited time and desire to keep the days on schedule, is not really a lot of time. Horror Movie will certainly provide much food-for-thought to anyone planning to consider a life around the big-screen and you will certainly find it a gut-wrenchingly honest and hilarious reflection of the challenges that people with limited funding go through to create the films that grace the genre festivals across the world.
There is added poignancy with the reflections of a real life Down Syndrome actor who provides a heartfelt desire to feel a part of the world, regardless of whether he is an actor or not and he provides some of the funniest moments (his video viewing habits are the pick of these!). The Assistant Director is also one of the stand-outs in the film.
The film certainly set guests and fans up for one of the best days in London Frightfest history. A winner on all fronts.
HORROR MOVIE: A LOW BUDGET NIGHTMARE / CERT: TBD / DIRECTOR: GARY DOUST / STARRING: DEE WALLACE, CRAIG ANDERSON, GERARD ODWYER, BYAN MOSES / RELEASE DATE: 28TH OCTOBER (HORROR CHANNEL FRIGHTFEST)
