South of Sanity

South of Sanity is a UK thriller/slasher flick directed by Kirk Watson and is the first ever fictional feature shot entirely on location in Antarctica. The movie deals with a small research team tucked away on the icy snow covered shores of the continent within the small confines of a British facility during the winter. The movie blends elements of dramatic character study with classic horror slasher in one dark story of afflictions of the mind and isolation. It is a pretty well written story with a classic yet modern spin to the traditional horror tale of man facing the psychotic monster that is neither otherworldly nor fantastical rather very human and even more dangerous. The setting is similar to other films located in these desolate corners of the earth still untarnished by industrialization only with South Of Sanity the location is very much for real, not set recreations nor faux locations more hospitable. This film was shot and edited entirely on that one mysterious frozen continent lavishing pristine at the bottom of the globe.

Now for my thoughts on the film. First I set down not really expecting much and as I began this somber tale I almost felt justified in that notion. The movie starts in that melancholia state that lingers between droll and mundane with the majority of the on screen action belonging solely to dialog and near emotionless human interaction. That was only for the first 20 minutes though and I was pleasantly surprised by the movies ability to slap me out of my discontent with how simple and yet sadistic the murders transpire. No big fanfare or hearkening instrumental sounds to herald in the horror. This film as you might tell from my language moves in a rather slow and steady pace almost right up to the very end. Just a warning to anyone seeking heavy thrills or insane gore that this film will not hit that g-spot for you. However the movie is straight up chilling in delivering a great unknown masked slasher that is unapologetic and brutal in his systematic method of execution of the characters. When the killer is on screen it almost snaps you back to the glory days of horror with deranged killers that seem to have no love or remorse what so ever. The film gives a gradual rise in climax toward the end of the film and holds your attention until the final moment when the killer is realized. That scene already has me wondering if we will see him again maybe in the Galapagos or South America some where. Or maybe he will just linger around the research facility knocking off any more vile representation of humanity who dare come to Antarctica. Either way the movie is a good Indie film that takes the story serious and presents us with a great new slasher character.

Critics need to realise that this film was made by some of the staff of the British Antarctic Survey team. They made it in their spare time to pass the months away during their posting. I believe they planned it the previous season. That is why the acting is variable and there are no big budget shots. So be kind. As a film made by hobbiests it's not bad. Respect.

I was intrigued at the prospect of watching a fictional feature filmed entirely in Antarctica; however, I found this film highly disappointing. Although the ultimate message behind the movie was fitting given the precedence of the filming locale, the creators didn't exactly utilize the sweeping landscape for their cinematography. Furthermore, there are some practical issues behind the film's quality that I cannot wrap my head around. Traveling to and filming in Antarctica would hardly seem to be an inexpensive endeavor; so if the budget was adequate enough to allow for this, why couldn't more funds have been allocated towards camera and sound equipment, or even post-processing talent? I appreciate the fact that this is an indie amateur film, but the lack of appreciation for quality given that the budget allowed for an Antarctic expedition makes me think twice about the intentions behind this feature. Like so many stunts pulled on this isolated and majestic continent, the film had less substance than it had desire just to be the 'first' fictional movie shot entirely in Antarctica.