This is a movie that I got the chance to see via screener thanks to Amy via Tartan Features Year Zero. The extent of what I knew coming in was that I had seen a previous work from Grant McPhee. I saw his surreal horror film, Far from the Apple Tree. I liked what he did there so I wanted to see what we got here. This was a double feature I did with Lori and the Six Six Sixties, with this as the second leg. I knew we were getting something surreal that would be inspired by folk horror.
Synopsis: a visual accompaniment to Port Sulphur's 'The Speed of Life' LP. Shot entirely with 1960s vintage 16mm cameras and lenses. It is an exploration of early music video aesthetics, B-Movies, amateur filmmaking and the Underground.
Now this one doesn't have a narrative per say. What we get is Frankie (Frankie Minnock), Bethany (Bethany Stevenson) and Ashley (Ashley Sutherland) in locations and scenarios. The best way to describe this is the synopsis. It seems like this album is playing out and the images that accompany it match. I would go as far to say that the cinematography is amazing. That with the editing makes such a surreal feel to what we're seeing and it is trippy. The music fits so well with what we are seeing so that is masterfully done.
This feels like a 70-minute music video. I can see the influences in the scenarios. There are elements that flirt with horror that piqued my interest. This has folk horror at different times. I'd say it is influenced as well by Mario Bava and Dario Argento with the lighting. There are also things like witchcraft and rituals. It doesn't go far enough to put it in the genre, but fans can appreciate what we're seeing here.
What I'd say here is that if you like arthouse cinema, give this a view. Even more so if you're a fan of Port Sulphur and their album The Speed of Life. The filmmaking here is great. I think it brings to life what we're hearing which is what they're setting out to do. This is one that I'd like to revisit while under the influence of mind-altering substances. I think I'd get that much more enjoyment for sure. Not one I can recommend to everyone though.
My Rating: 6.5 out of 10.
