Black (USA, 2008) 40 min B&W DIR-SCR: Nathan & Seth Anderson. PROD: Jason Hagen. MUSIC: Robert McAtee. DOP: Nathan Anderson. CAST: Robert McAtee, Seriina Covarrubias, Kevin Dahlgren.
This 40-minute black-and-white psychological horror film is a good benchmark for aspiring indie filmmakers. Written and directed by siblings Seth and Nathan Anderson, this is an effective mood piece about a young psychic who is hired by a man to contact his late wife, but because of a presence she feels, she puts an end to the session. The vengeful widower nonetheless stalks her and her husband and holds them hostage in exchange for finishing the session. The previously aborted session however has summoned the woman’s ghostly presence, which intervenes in the lives of the young couple.
At heart this is a domestic drama about a spouse who brings their work home with them, which brings consequence to the relationship. The “work” is a ghost, and her widower with dangerous tendencies. The film succeeds with its clever wraparound narrative structure, and great atmosphere. Filmed in the Pacific Northwest, the glistening black and white cinematography by Nathan captures unusual locations of the area, which adds an unearthly feel to this melodrama: with the smooth edges and shimmering lighting, it more resembles a Nordic film.
The Anderson brothers have wisely concentrated more on character and mood than visceral shocks or effects, which is why this film will linger much longer in memory. Black is an independent featurette that is definitely worth watching, and because of its elliptical nature, you’ll want to see it a second time.
Originally published in Vol. #1, Issue #24.
Greg Woods
Greg Woods has been a film enthusiast since his teens, and began his writing "career" at the same time- prolific in capsule reviews of everything he had watched, first on index cards, then those hardcover dollar store black journals, then an old Mac IIsi. He founded The Eclectic Screening Room in 2001, as a portal to share his film love with the world, and find some like-minded enthusiasts along the way. In addition to having worked in the film industry for over two decades, he has been a co-programmer of films at Trash Palace, and a programmer/co-founder of the Toronto Film Noir Syndicate. He has also written for Broken Pencil, CU-Confidential, Micro-Film, and is currently working on his first novel. His secret desire is for someone to interview him for a podcast or a DVD extra.