Noticias

Thanks to 21st-century genre hits such as Saw, the Hills Have Eyes remake and Hostel, horror fans have witnessed a renaissance of “grindhouse” filmmaking, which invokes the brutality, sleaze and over-the-top camp that pervaded many ‘70s and early-’80s cult classics. But while these depictions of torture and despair have enthralled audiences and garnered big bucks at the box office, a low-budget affair like Header (out this week on DVD from Synapse Films) has not only managed to sneak under the industry radar with its gruesome plotline, but practically usurps the likes of Hostel in shock value.

The backwoods and its mysterious inhabitants always stir up a sense of dread in a horror film. But Header, a faithful rendition of the 1995 novella by extreme-fiction scribe Edward Lee, transforms the dense forestry into a twisted playground abounding with unholy familial bonds, archaic traditions and the unspeakable titular act, which serves as the film’s foundation.

Fango just chatted with Don May Jr. of Synapse Films, who talked up his upcoming discs of the new indie shockers Sick Girl (pictured) and Header. The former (no relation to Lucky McKee’s same-titled Masters Of Horror episode) is a truly twisted tale from writer/director Eben McGarr.

Leslie Andrews stars in the title role of Izzy, an orphaned girl who takes an extremely violent approach to protecting her younger brother; you can see the movie’s official website here. “It’s just a brutal, brutal movie,” May tells Fango. “It’s funny, too; the filmmakers have a really good sense of humor—and hey, it’s got Stephen [Fright Night] Geoffreys in it!” The extras are currently being put together for Sick Girl, and while it’s too early to report those details, May notes that Synapse will likely use the striking promo photo seen here on the DVD’s cover.