+++
title = "Ramaskrik 2017 "
lang = "en"
[taxonomies]
authors = ["harald"]
tags = ["Ramaskrik", "film", "horror", "festival"]
[extra]
+++
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Ramaskrik
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Another year, another [Ramaskrik Horror Film Festival]! As always it has been a memorable weekend
filled with lots of horror movies, old and new friends, beers and generally a
great time.
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I think the general quality of the films was even better this year compared to
previous years. Something I think can be attributed to the growing reputation
of this small festival in the mountain town of Oppdal, Norway.
Another observation was that this year more of the films were based on rather
light or humourous premises. There were some great examples of the opposite,
darker themed films of course, but the general tendency seemed to be films
themed around good old fun and violence. I don't mind either, but the real
thrill for me is the films that are able to drag me deep into the darker parts
of the human psyche.
## Thursday
As with previous years, this trip starts on the [Horror train] from Oslo to Oppdal
where the festival is held. This time the organizers had booked the early train
from Oslo, which did seem excruciatingly early at that time in the morning. On
the other hand, we were able to catch more films as we arrived earlier, though,
so I think I favour the change.
Most of the passengers in our section of the train was familiar faces from
previous years, but quite a few new faces had made it out of bed too! Pretty
soon everyone was quizzing and socializing. Great mood, and pretty soon the
trip was over, and it was time to check in at the hotel.
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Poster for El Ataúd de Cristal, 2016, Spain
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One of the films I had looked forward to this year was _[Bajo la Rosa]_ (Under the
Rose, 2017, Spain) but checking in to the hotel took longer than the time from
the train arrived until the film started. I wasn't too worried about this, as I
had another opportunity later in the festival to see it, so I went to fetch
some food before the next film instead. Major mistake, more about that later.
The first film I was able to see was another spanish film, _[El ataúd de
cristal]_ (The Glass Coffin, 2016, Spain.) A great take on the claustrophobic,
enclosed in a small space horror story. An original story, great performance
from the actor, stunning visuals and a strong soundtrack lifts this way above
what I expected from the description. Highly recommended!
Next up was _[Vampyrvidar]_ (Vidar the Vampire, 2017, Norway) a completely
different kind of film. This is a comedy, but with some serious themes hidden
in the wrapping.
We meet Vidar, a sexually frustrated sheep farmer from the south-western part
of Norway. What we call the "bible belt" in these parts. Praying for better
luck with the girls, preferably the young ones ("20 plus") his wishes are
granted by a vampire Jesus. Things don't go quite as Vidar had hoped...
Great fun, and tacfully blasphemous (to borrow a term from one of the other in
the festival audience.) Not sure how well it will work outside of Norway, but
if you like quaint comedy with vampires, blood and small town religious lunacy,
give it a spin!
The official opening film of the festival this year was another Norwegian film,
_[Hjemsøkt]_ (Haunted, 2017, Norway.) While at heart it is a classic haunted
house movie, I think it scores some extra points due to an interesting
backstory and the main actor's (Synnøve Macody Lund) performance. Set in the
cold winter landscape of Norway, the visuals gives the film a distinct and
chilling feel to it. I really liked this film. Recommended.
{% figure(img="hjemsokt-intervju.jpg") %}
Director Carl Christian Raabe and actor Synnøve Macody Lund of _Hjemsøkt_ is
beeing interviewed after the screening by Bente Maalen
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Last film for me this thursday was _[Revenge]_ (France, 2017) an intense
rape/revenge film with the main focus on the revenge part! This was an action
packed end of the first day, and a great film to follow with a few beers back
at the hotel. Recommended!
## Friday
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Panorama of Oppdal, taken from the window of my hotel room
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Friday started off quite relaxed. Waking up to the view above out the hotel
room window was not such a bad start. The first film of the day didn't
start until 11:30, so plenty of time to enjoy the hotel breakfast before
getting seated.
I heard mixed reviews of _[Happy Hunting]_ (2017, USA) in advance, but I have
to say I liked it. The premise is not very original, but the characters,
atmosphere and story unfolds in an entertaining mix of small-town madness,
desert landscapes and alcohol/drug addiction.
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Poster for _Tonight She Comes_, 2016, USA
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Next up for me was _[Tonight She Comes]_ (2016, USA), which can best be
described as a high school sexual comedy mixed with Evil Dead, and with the
blood of Braindead. Lot's of body fluids and quite funny, but gets a bit
predictable. Still entertaining enough. I especially liked the puritan satanic
family at the end.
For the third slot I was unsure wether to go for _[Tragedy Girls]_ (2017, USA)
or _[Leatherface]_ (2017, USA). I ended up going for the first.
I found Tragedy Girls to be quite entertaining. On one level it works as a
commentary on the shallowness of social media and it's selfmade celebrities, as
well as being a decent splatter and a high school drama at the same time. At
times it becomes too much high school drama, which in my view drags it a bit
down. Still an entertaining and fun film with a few nice splats along the way.
This was about the time I decided to skip dinner to be able to watch more
films. Popcorn and Svele helps to keep starvation at bay, and I was ready for
the next film!
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Poster for _Nails_, 2017, Ireland
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_[Nails]_ (2017, Ireland) is at the first glance a fairly traditional ghost
story. Set in an old hospital complete with long dark corridors, flickering
lights and strange sounds in the night this could have been just another
collection of jump scares.
I think it goes well beyond that, though. The main character is paralyzed after
an accident, and unable to move. She can only observe what happens around her at
night. The story is decent, but the performance and how the story unfolds works
to its advantage. Also after all the more fun-based films so far, a darker
piece was very welcome. I recommend you check it out!
Next to last film on friday was _[Happy Death Day]_ (2017, USA). We're back to
a lighter and more entertaining film again, but one that works surprisingly
well. This is a scary murder mystery. The films main character is being
murdered on her birthday, only to have to relive the same day again and again,
until she can find out who kills her. A somewhat refreshing take on much of the
same premise as behind Groundhog Day.
I decide to end the day with _[Kodoku Meatball Machine]_ (2017, Japan). Which
did not work at all for me.
The film tries to replicate the style of fighting anime cartoons, but with real
film and actors. The monsters look like something taken out of the Warhammer
40k role playing game, with about as interesting dialog as you can expect from
that.
If this sounds like your thing you may want to check it out, but my
recommendation is to go watch something else instead. It's a bit of a shame,
because the beginning of the film builds up to something that could have been
interesting, and the actual premise of the story could have been made into an
interesting (short) film. In this case that did not happen, though.
Well six films in one day is quite enough anyways, so off we go for some beers
and discussions of the films we have seen this day.
## Saturday
Halfway into the festival it begins to dawn that it will not last forever. The
screenings start a bit earlier today, but after a hearty breakfast I'm ready
for _[Mayhem]_ (2017, USA). Quite a rollercoster of a zombie-horror set in an
office building.
For those of us having worked in large office complexes, this film had almost a
therapeutic effect! An original take on the genre, well executed and great
start of the day! Highly recommended!
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Image from _Wettlaufers Enke_, 2017, Norway
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Next up was a _[Wettlaufers Enke]_ (Wettlaufers Widow, 2001/2017, Norway). A 30
minute amateur film that has waited 16 years before being screened.
Originally filmed in 2001, the director was too self-conscious to release it.
So it was shelved until he finally got enough courage to release it after 16
years. I'm really happy he did, because the film is well made, has great
atmosphere and an original story. Shot in a murky black and white really
enhances the feeling of unease. Recommended!
Then I did a major mistake again. I went to see _[Kurt Josef Wagle og
mordmysteriet på Hurtigruta]_ (Kurt Josef Wagle and the Coastal Express Murder
Mystery, 2017, Norway.) Unless you happen to like movies that work on the
premise that "this is funny because I talk with a funny voice," you don't need
to waste your time on this drivel.
After such a let down, there was only one thing to do: Go get some food and a
beer to get back into the mood. That meant I missed _[Killing Ground]_ (2016,
Australia) which I had planned to see. Oh well...
{% figure(img="juleblod-poster.jpg") %}
Poster for _Juleblod_, 2017, Norway
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Back at the Hotel to drop off some more movies I bought at the stand of
_Another World Entertainment_ at the festival, I stumble upon a chance to see
the new Reinert Kiil movie, _[Juleblod]_ (2017, Norway).
Again Ramaskrik is hosting a special screening for one of it's films. Last year
they showed _Howl_ in a train car, and the year before that again, _Villmark
II_ in an outdoor cinema in the forest. This year we went to an old barn at the
_Oppdal Museum_ where we were fed porrige before the film was screened. The
director and main actors were present, and answered questions after the
screening. A very enjoyable experience!
The film is dark, and has a good story. Still there are some parts that are
dragged on for too long, and I think the police detectives are way too
caricatural. Still, Santa is doing a nice job of eradicating the naughty boys
and girls, and there are some splendid splats in this movie. Recommended!
But this was the slot where I had originally planned to see [Bajo la Rosa],
so sadly I missed it. Looks like an interesting film, though, so hoping I'll
be able to catch it somewhere later.
Back at _Oppdal Kulturhus_ where the rest of the screenings are held, we arrive
just in time for Guillermo del Toro's _[The Shape of Water]_ (2017, USA.)
This is absolutely not a horror film, but still a film that is dark enough that
many in the audience wanted to see it anyways. Also it's not very common to be
able to watch films this far in advance of general availablility (more than one
month before US release, and about four months before Norwegian release.)
Another great experience at Ramaskrik, and we even got a limited poster to
prove it!
As for the film, this is a beautifully filmed beauty and the beast-like story.
Guillermo del Toro is a master of making visually stunning films, and this is
no exception. The story is good enough, and the performances are as you would
expect them. I enjoyed it, and I think quite a wide audience will do too.
Last film for me this saturday was _[Victor Crowley]_ (2017, USA,) a film that
did not really work that well I think. A jungle slasher that for the most part
plays out in the body of a crashed plane.
This could have been an interesting setting, but it fails to build anything
worthwile. Again the characters are more charicatures than people you can
identify with, and there's really no chemistry neither between the actors, nor
the location. A film that can be safely skipped.
## Sunday
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Poster for _Hounds of Love_, 2016, Australia
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Last day of the festival already? Oh well, off we go and start with _[Hounds of
Love]_ (2016, Australia). Beautifully shot, great soundtrack and a captivating
story.
One of the best, but also by far the most difficult film to watch at this
festival. A gritty and realistic film about a young girl abducted by a couple
for sex and then disposal. Highly recommended, but perhaps not as the first
film after you wake up!
Next up was _[Freehold]_ (2017, UK). Introduced as probably the most disturbing
film of the festival, which it well might have been. A lot of fun though. Not
so much horror, as a creepy black comedy, but it works really well. Very
different from most other stuff I've seen. Highly recommended!
Last film of the festival for me this time was _[Still/Born]_ (2017, Canada). A
horror with supernatural elements centered around a couple that get twins where
one of them is stillborn. At times somewhat similar to [Babycall], but darker
and better produced. Another great film! Recommended!
## Shorts
Throughout the festival several short films are screened before the main
features. Here's the shorts I came across this year:
* _[Buzzcut]_ (8 min, 2016, USA) Getting a haircut proves to be more difficult
than anticipated, due to the impending doomsday. Fun little number, with
great effects!
* _[Storage]_ (6 min, 2017, USA?) Something's lurking in the cellar of an
appartment complex. Well made, creepy and good story.
* _[Great Choice]_ (7 min, 2017, USA) A surreal ride that's best to see without
any advance knowledge. Well worth watching, though!
* _[Fucking Bunnies]_ (Saatanan Kanit, 17 min, 2017, Finland). A satanic sex
cult moves in next door. Complications arise. Great fun!
## Winding down
Again, a great festival is over, time to say goodbye to old and new friends,
thanks to the organizers and the always friendly staff at Skifer Hotel and head
for other adventures. Next Ramaskrik will held at 18. - 21. of october 2018.
I'll definitely be there again if at all possible!
If you liked this report, you can check out my other reports from Ramaskrik
{{ taglink(tag="Ramaskrik", name="here", lang=lang) }}. You may also like my reports
from {{ taglink(tag="Dead by Dawn", lang=lang) }}.
[Babycall]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1595833
[Bajo la Rosa]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6130310
[Buzzcut]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6315044
[El ataúd de cristal]: http://elatauddecristal.com
[Freehold]: https://horrorpedia.com/2017/08/26/freehold-two-pigeons-british-black-comedy-horror-film-overview-cast-plot-reviews-trailer-dvd/
[Fucking Bunnies]: https://vimeo.com/198744796
[Great Choice]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6952952
[Happy Death Day]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5308322
[Happy Hunting]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5189770
[Hjemsøkt]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6322902
[Horror train]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCKx6YnEOKE
[Hounds of Love]: https://horrorpedia.com/2017/05/17/hounds-of-love-2016-australian-psychological-horror-drama-film-overview-cast-reviews-trailer/
[Juleblod]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6228890
[Killing Ground]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4728386
[Kodoku Meatball Machine]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6063024
[Kurt Josef Wagle og mordmysteriet på Hurtigruta]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7411406
[Leatherface]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2620590
[Mayhem]: https://horrorpedia.com/2017/03/16/mayhem-2017-comedy-action-horror-movie-steven-yuen-plot-review/
[Nails]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4695098
[Ramaskrik Horror Film Festival]: https://ramaskrik.no
[Revenge]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6738136
[Still/Born]: https://horrorpedia.com/2017/05/07/stillborn-2017-canadian-horror-film-overview-cast-plot-reviews/
[Storage]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUZdaoefuno
[The Shape of Water]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580390
[Tonight She Comes]: https://horrorpedia.com/2016/08/17/tonight-she-comes-2016-slasher-horror-film-matt-stuertz-overview-teaser-trailer-reviews/
[Tragedy Girls]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3859272
[Vampyrvidar]: http://vampyrvidar.no
[Victor Crowley]: https://horrorpedia.com/2017/08/23/victor-crowley-usa-2017-horror-movie-hatchet-reboot-cast-plot-overview-teaser-trailer-review/
[Wettlaufers Enke]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5859042
