Found Footage 3D
First off, this is NOT your typical found footage film. Well… it is and it isn’t. The film includes the requisite opening statement about the footage and then cuts to the filmmakers behind the ‘actual’ film debating over how clichéd those opening lines are. We realize this is a behind-the-scenes documentary for a micro-budget feature called Spectre of Death also touted as the first ever 3D found footage horror film. The meta nature of a film-within-a-film is nothing new but absolutely works here and is essential to the film’s success. Just as Scream provided meta commentary on the rules in horror films, this one breaks down all of the tropes of found footage and establishes viable reasons why the camera is never put down in critical moments. As expected, the fictional evil spirit appears to be not-so-fictional when it presents itself through several genuinely frightening moments – a random kitchen explosion, bloody scratches in the middle of the night, and an even bloodier denouement. Found footage films are not usually praised for their writing but Found Footage 3D succeeds in presenting a layered, complex, and truly terrifying story that literally jumps at you and grips you by the throat. It’s worth noting again that you can see this film in glorious 3D. I only got to watch this in 2D so I’m more than excited to watch this again in all of its three-dimensional horror during the Festival. If you loved The Blair Witch Project and the Paranormal Activity series, you will have a hell of a time watching this one. And in 3D!
Saturday October 15, 20
16 11:45pm – Sunday October 16, 2016 1:41am
Alamo Drafthouse Village presented by Sprint
Tuesday October 18, 2016 10:00pm – 11:56pm
Galaxy Highland 9 presented by Dove Chocolate
-Matt Dy, Screenplay Competition Director
Grab your badge to catch this great film and many more at the 23rd annual Austin Film Festival!