Writer/director Paul Duane’s Irish folk horror delves into the world of unheard but deadly song from the past of the Emerald Isle.
Anna (Simone Collins) and Aleks (Charlie Maher) are attempting to document and gather archaic folk songs that have been passed down over generations, so they can sell them to collectors. They get a lead about a woman, Rita (Olwen Fouéré), who knows a notoriously rare song passed down from her mother. When they get to Rita’s home, their tutor Agnes (Catherine Siggins) is already there. Strictly forbidding them to record the tune and ordering Aleks out of the room. Unbeknownst to Rita and Anna, Agnes is surreptitiously recording Rita singing, and by doing so and allowing Aleks to listen to the tape, the trio’s whole world is turned upside down with deadly consequences.
The movie enigmatically opens with a quote, “Love is a knife with a blade for a handle”, which we later discover is the title of the ditty that should never be shared. It also gives an inkling as to the danger the recording will bring them. It’s a gender-specific song that speaks of betrayal and vengeance that offers a curse of its own.
Duane creates a menacing atmosphere throughout All You Need is Death, which is often disorienting and doesn’t fall prey to modern horror tropes. Like the archaic Irish songs that form the backbone of the narrative, there’s a sense that the story itself is taking place in another time. As well as the traditional Irish tunes, there’s an imposing, threatening score from Ian Lynch.
All You Need is Death is an unorthodox folk horror that burrows into the mind and assaults the senses in ways many modern tales of terror can only wish.
ALL YOU NEED IS DEATH screened at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest.
