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diff --git a/content/blog/2017-11-02-ramaskrik-2017/index.md b/content/blog/2017-11-02-ramaskrik-2017/index.md deleted file mode 100644 index 85413e6..0000000 --- a/content/blog/2017-11-02-ramaskrik-2017/index.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,334 +0,0 @@ -+++ -title = "Ramaskrik 2017 " - -[taxonomies] -tags = ["Ramaskrik", "film", "horror", "festival"] - -[extra] -author = "harald" -+++ - -{% figure(img="ramaintro.jpg") %} -Ramaskrik -{% end %} - -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. - -<!-- more --> - -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. - -{% figure(img="el-ataud-de-cristal.jpg") %} -Poster for El Ataúd de Cristal, 2016, Spain -{% end %} - -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 -{% end %} - -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 - -{% figure(img="panorama-oppdal.jpg") %} -Panorama of Oppdal, taken from the window of my hotel room -{% end %} - -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. - -{% figure(img="tonight-she-comes.jpg") %} -Poster for _Tonight She Comes_, 2016, USA -{% end %} - -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! - -{% figure(img="nails.jpg") %} -Poster for _Nails_, 2017, Ireland -{% end %} - -_[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! - -{% figure(img="wettlaufers-enke.jpg") %} -Image from _Wettlaufers Enke_, 2017, Norway -{% end %} - -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 -{% end %} - -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 - -{% figure(img="hounds-of-love-poster.jpg") %} -Poster for _Hounds of Love_, 2016, Australia -{% end %} - -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") }}. You may also like my reports -from {{ taglink(tag="Dead by Dawn") }}. - -[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 |