The Film That
Never Was?!
Zombie Dog: A
Man’s Best…Fiend!—"U.N. Owen”—somewhere in Portland?
This is a film review…of sorts. My title for the producing company is my own
and is from a quote of the villain’s name in Agatha Christie’s, Ten Little
Indians or, And Then There Were None, meaning unknown. The title of the film is the only written
reference at the beginning or end of the film…no cast or crew list, nor any
indication of a producing organization.
This odd journey of mine, most of which needs to be kept
under wraps, this is not as sinister as it sounds. Sometimes the best publicity for an event is
no publicity at all…just occasional leaks of a mysterious…whatever…out
there. And there is quite a precedent of
such a campaign.
During prohibition, there were Speakeasy’s, which were
establishments hidden away that served alcohol, but the only way you could find
them, was through a trusted somebody, who knew somebody, who knew the location
and password and which the newbie was sworn to secrecy. Some years ago, I was taken to such a place
in Portland that followed this formula…an elevator in a downtown parking lot,
down an unidentified hallway, to a bare door that had a small, sliding window
in it. Low lighting and good food but
with no publicity or contact info given…quite a clever idea, I must say.
There is also a theatre in Portland in which, as a reviewer, I must sign a release to not reveal its actual location. And, the Indie film of some years ago, The
Blair Witch Project, claimed the film that was shown, was of actual tapes of a
group of students researching a legendary witch, and the group was never seen
again. Actually, it was a group of
college students that made the low-budget film and because of the phony
pre-release story, made millions internationally. And so such marketing can work wonders.
An acquaintance of mine broached me with a similar
request, to review a film but not to give away the location or any info on it
(since none was on the screen, that went without saying). The reason for such a request, besides the
obvious marketing stunt, was because they wanted publicity but more of a grass
roots or underground sort, and felt I was a man that would keep the secret, as
well. They are not mistaken.
The style of the film is similar to Film Noir, with dimly
lit sets, flashbacks, voice-over narrative, B&W, and dark subject
matter. And since this doesn’t appear to
have expensive production values, also lends well to this genre. It resembles the film of a graphic novel, Sin
City, which employs the same values.
Also, has a kinship with the movies of Val Lewton, a low-budget
filmmaker of the 40’s famous for atmospheric films, notably, the famous, Cat
People.
The film begins with a small-town, newspaper reporter,
from a different era, typing out a story late at night, and his voice narrating
the flashbacks of what led to this moment.
It seems that an unusual number of killings have been happening, in
which the victims have been found with mutilations resembling attacks by a wild
animal…notably a wolf or large dog(s).
As the story goes, it is discovered that the town dump on
the outskirts has had some odd canisters dumped there, with the letters A&O
Enterprises stenciled on them, and a greenish fluid leaking out. It also seems a pack of wild dogs have been
seen lurking about, scavenging for food in this dump. And, to add to the confusion, a hermit is
known to make his home there and may know secrets best kept under wraps. Add some men-in-black, an industrious cub
reporter and a money-bags, who owns a mysterious factory in town, and you have
the makings of a pretty good, but typical, thriller.
What is unusual about this flick, is the “motives” for
these deaths (or assassinations). Also,
the fact that you rarely see the “villains” in question, rely more on shadows,
glowing eyes, and pretty good sound effects and mood music to enhance the suspense
(ala, Lewton’s style). Obviously, I
can’t tell you the outcome but will give you a hint…best be kind to animals, as
the alternative could be deadly!
Again, the sparse sets, low-lighting, B&W and
relatively unknown cast points to an Indie film, but with an unusual plot
outcome, with some above-average writing (ala, Roger Corman’s Poe classics) and
an inventive marketing campaign, this could succeed in time. There are precedents for this type (as
mentioned above) as an Indie film made in the 70’s, The Witch Who Came From The
Sea, deemed too controversial for the 70’s (deals frankly with incest and sex
abuse of a child), when it was made, and thought to have been destroyed, a “new”
copy of the film was “discovered” this century.
So, manipulating an art form, to gain attention to their product, has
been known to be profitable, as well as garnered a certain amount of respect
for its artistic merits, as well.
Personally, I wish them well!
--DJS
