It’s not only the last Monday in October, but it’s Halloween week, and that means BEHIND THE LENS is celebrating the holiday with blood and gore and fun. I’ve had quite a few horror and thriller films this month to pick from for today’s show, but I’ve settled on one that is Bloody Bonkers Brilliance – HUMAN from writer/director/editor/sound mixer MATT STUERTZ.
BLOODY BONKERS BRILLIANCE are the three words that perfectly encapsulate the gloriously demented, outrageously entertaining, blood-soaked cinematic insanity that is HUMAN. A frenetic, frenzied, visually dazzling supernatural horror extravaganza that embraces the absurd while remaining grounded in something surprisingly fundamental: the emotions that make us human. And thanks to a balls-to-the-wall performance by Jackie Kelly, cinematography by David Christopher Pitt that would make Technicolor guru Natalie Kalmus rise from her grave demanding a Technicolor credit, some ingenious editing, and a soundscape that alternates between sensory overload and terrifying silence, HUMAN is one helluva ride!
HUMAN follows Dani Ferris (Jackie Kelly), who is alone and exhausted past the point of reason. It’s past midnight and she’s all alone. Away from home. Tired as hell. Not prepared for the roller coaster of emotions she’s about to ride front-row. Sleep? Nope. What she wanted is a little tease of digital debauchery before bed. What she’s going to get is a blood-drenched supernatural nightmare of horrors and heartbreak as tonight is a night for friends, lovers, enemies, frenemies, little guns, bigger guns, love, hate, life, death, and things a hell of a lot more super than natural. A night Dani will never forget. And neither will he. Tonight, every relationship is a gamble and every hour brings a new threat as Matt Stuertz keeps the pressure rising as Dani rides a roller coaster of emotions she never saw coming.
As I said, HUMAN is written and directed by MATT STUERTZ. Matt also edited the film along with David Christopher Pitt who is also the cinematographer. With Joseph Holiday as composer and Michael Epstein handling production sound with Matt also serving additional duty as the film’s sound mixer, you are in for a sonic treat as well as a visual one. Jackie Kelly stars as Dani and delivers one of the most amazing, high-energy, in-every-frame performance that I have ever seen. A climactic blood bath bathroom scene is a genuine climactic highlight in HUMAN and Jackie dazzles. Joining Jackie are Jeffrey Decker as Aaron, Cecily Dowd as Christina, and Brock Russell with a nutso performance as film studio owner and Dani’s boss, Jacky Verde. And a big shout out to David Christopher Pitt who also does triple duty with the SFX makeup.
As you’re about to hear, in this exclusive interview, Matt and I focus on the film’s creative execution and technical elements. Matt also highlights Jackie’s energetic performance, David’s frenetic yet structured cinematography, and the film’s vibrant, Technicolor-inspired visual style. Interesting is Matt’s creative process, particularly with his inspiration for this film and how the concept was inspired by real-life texting experiences. We also discuss the impactful soundscape and the use of public domain music to enhance specific scenes. All of the indie filmmakers listening will appreciate Matt’s thoughts and emphasis on how a micro-budget necessitated creative problem-solving, such as using macro shots for gore inserts. Ultimately, Matt reflects on the joy of collaborating with talented friends to complete this ambitious project
And you can settle in for some good blood, gore and body parts right now as HUMAN is currently in select theatres AND available on VOD and Digital platforms!
Before I go today, I just want to put a few other Halloween gems on your radar for this week, all of which have exclusive interviews and reviews attached and up on the website, among them, WUTHERING HEIGHTS: THE HOUSE OF THE DAMNED, A PRAYER FOR THE DYING, an incredible thriller from Jordan Downey called THE CYCLE, and BREEDER which opens in theatres on the 28th. And let’s not forgot some terrific horror films that you can find on various streaming platforms and VOD, like CRAWLERS, GATOR FACE, ABOVE AND BELOW, CHUM, HUNGRY, OBSESSION, GRIZZLY NIGHT, and, of course, one of my faves, BUDDY.
Have a happy and safe Halloween week with whatever you’re doing. If you’re in Culver City, you should check out the Backstage Bar & Grill at the corner of Culver and Motor for some fun Halloween doings with karaoke and a costume contest on Friday and Saturday nights.
Then next week – it’s Mark Vanselow talking THE MONGOOSE and Liam Neeson!!
Happy Halloween!
