By: debbie lynn elias
What happens when a horror movie becomes more than a movie? What happens when the thrill and excitement of heart-pounding fear one gets when watching a horror film just isn’t enough? What do you do next? Where do you get that next rush? What happens when you start to live out a horror film? And what horror film would you want to live out? These are some of the questions posed by writer/director Douglas Schulze and co-writer Joshua Wagner that give birth to MIMESIS.
In short, the definition of “mimesis” means “to imitate”. And that’s exactly the premise for MIMESIS – psycho crazed horror fans who “imitate” a horror movie using unsuspecting horror fans as their “victims”. And what better film to imitate than the granddaddy of them all, George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.
The day begins with Russell and Duane in horror heaven at a local horror convention. With orgasmic glee, Russell can barely contain his excitement at the prospect of meeting his favorite director, the legendary Alfonso Betz. Somewhat embittered, Betz delivers an impassioned speech to his faithful followers, opining about society and the degradation of the horror film as “today’s sicko wants the real thing.” Little do Betz, or Russell and Duane, know just how real things are about to get.
Thanks to a serendipitous meeting with the goth Judith, Russell and Duane find themselves, along with several others, invited to an “exclusive” convention after-party. Heading out to a secluded location, Duane is more than a little hesitant while Russell is gung-ho for party time. But what kind of party is this as it doesn’t take long before everyone passes out, waking up in the morning to find themselves dressed in 60’s clothes with a black & white tv in a rundown farmhouse looping Night of the Living Dead. This is no party. This is a game, a sick game of survival that mimics, Night of the Living Dead. Here’s where your horror history counts.
Cast alongside horror veterans like Sid Haig and Bill Hinzeman, are relative newcomers Allen Maldonado, Taylor Piedmont and David G.B. Brown, as Duane, Russell and Keith. Maldonado just nails his role both as Duane and as homage to his character’s inspiration from Night of the Living Dead. Particularly effective is David Gries who is a malevolent delight as ringleader “zombie”, Patrick.
Technically, Schulze and cinematographer Lon Stratton, cast a visual spell that, while paying homage to the lensing style of Romero, breaks the mold with distinctive yet fully integrated looks and tonal bandwidth. Lighting is particularly effective in its play shadows lending to a harder, harsh edge in keeping with the brutality of the horror.
Fraught with fun and fear, MIMESIS is a “must see” for horror fans. Rooted in cinematic history, paying loving homage to not only George Romero, but other horror icons, with MIMESIS, writer/director Douglas Schulze ups the horror ante with an exciting fresh spin on tried and true classics to delicious result.
Directed by Douglas Schulze
Written by Douglas Schulze and Joshua Wagner
Cast: Sid Haig, Bill Hinzman, Allen Maldonado, Taylor Piedmont, David G.B. Brown, David Gries, Lauren Mae Shafer, Courtney Gains
Read my exclusive interview with writer/director Douglas Schulze
