#StrictlyIndie Film Views: "The Sacrament"

Whether you’re a fan of Ti West’s previous work or not, his most recent film, The Sacrament, demands its viewers’ attention. The pace at which West let’s the mystery unfold allows for great tension and suspense in what is probably his most chilling and polished film yet.

The Sacrament follows three friends who are all apart of a multimedia company called VICE. When Sam (AJ Bowen) finds out that his fellow photographer’s sister has joined a community outside of the states to better herself from her drug addiction, he immediately wants to investigate its origin. He also brings along his cameraman, played by yet another indie filmmaker/actor: Joe Swanberg. From the moment the three get off the helicopter, there’s a clear sense that “Eden Parish” is not what they thought it was. The so called paradise is guarded like an internment camp. There’s only one way in and one way out. The three are greeted by Patrick’s sister, Caroline (Amy Seimetz), who ensures them that the men with guns are not a fair representation of what they’re about to witness. From there on, each scene is a nail-biter, skillfully emphasized by Tyler Bates’ original score.

The found footage sub-genre of horror filmmaking has made its way cozily into my heart over the past few years. Ti West is no newcomer when it comes to the genre, having directed segments in anthology films like V/H/S and The ABC’s of Death. Interestingly enough, this film reminded me of Timo Tjahanto and Gareth Evans’ segment from V/H/S 2 called “Safe Haven.” Timo actually explains how he wanted to try doing a film about the Jamestown Massacre in an article from Entertainment Weekly, but that’s neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is, Ti West grabbed at the opportunity to portray this deranged vision of a powerful man’s utopia and did a damn horrifying job.

The Sacrament is now screening at select theaters and is also available to rent on iTunes.

Review by Ryan Kramer

#StrictlyIndie Film Views: "Upstream Color"

Upstream Color is one of those films to which you need to give your undivided attention. This was also the case with Shane Carruth's breakout feature film, Primer (2004). Carruth packs a lot of information into fast-moving shots with little dialogue or plot; and even if you do try your best to soak it all in, it can still be difficult to grasp. The film begins with a mysterious individual who seems to have found use of a certain worm living in the soil of his garden. He experiments with the worm as a parasite, slipping the insect onto a woman named Kris (Amy Seimetz). The parasite strips Kris of independent thought and, before she knows it, the mysterious individual has conditioned her into forking over her money through the equity of her home. A series of strange events then unfold. Kris meets a man on the train named Jeff (Shane Carruth), who she seems to share a biological connection with. He may have also been experimented on. Their strange affair turns suddenly serious and Carruth begins to delve deep into the films many themes. 

From disease to the power of solitude, Carruth's vision is heavily filtered through the work of David Thoreau's "Walden," which is constantly shown and quoted. Ultimately, the film feels like a social experiment and a voyage of spiritual discovery that never really connects you to the characters, but rather keeps you distanced and clinical in speculation. Carruth's usage of blues, grays and whites, along with constantly lingering on the verge of overexposure, does a good job of supporting that theme quite powerfully.

Upstream may not be a film for everyone to enjoy; but it can be compelling to a good many, leaving its images ingrained in your mind long after viewing. It's intriguing. It's bewildering. It's thought provoking. One of its more basic themes of human connection may get you wondering if there's another person out there, going through the same exact movements as you, somehow bound to you just as they are to everything in nature.

The film is currently streaming on Netflix Instant. Be sure to add it to your queue if it sounds like your kind of movie. 

Review by Ryan Kramer