I took a chance a couple of years ago by throwing a few quid on Kickstarter on a spooky looking film called "Lord Of Tears". This was one of the best things I did as it was exactly the sort of atmospheric horror/ghost story that I've wanted for a long time. When I saw the campaign for this follow up film there was no hesitation in adding to the funding. Today I received my copy......
Like Lord Of Tears/The Owlman there's a very isolated feel to the film. The protagonist spends the majority of the film alone in a cottage surrounded by bleak misty hills, fields and forests. It's established that he's an ex soldier living rough. We learn over the course of the film just how much of a toll Afghanistan took on him. He's dealing with PTSD from the things he saw and experienced. The titular Ravens soon appear to torment and push him into madness. He ends up dragged into a living hell where the Ravens have claimed other damaged soldiers. Unfortunately these have already suffered the tortures of the Raven warriors (who have a penchant for eye removal). From this point he either has to face his demons or remain trapped in their realm.
It's an intelligent film with a lot to say about how the experiences of war can affect our troops. It's easy to see the Raven warriors as a metaphor for the creeping depression that can so easily take hold of men and women who've seen the unspeakable horrors of war. The Ravens themselves are visually imposing and an excellent design for the film.
It has a vibe of the original Wicker Man due to it's surroundings and gentle music (another high point). I also got the feel of one of the old BBC Christmas Ghost stories whilst watching it (but that's more me than the film as it's that time of year). It's a film that will stay with me for a couple of days and probably deserves multiple watches to let it all soak in.
There's a definite talent and vision behind The Owlman and The Unkindness Of Ravens which is sadly lacking in today's horror industry. Thank god for Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly for their atmospheric, haunting and creepy productions. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
Like Lord Of Tears/The Owlman there's a very isolated feel to the film. The protagonist spends the majority of the film alone in a cottage surrounded by bleak misty hills, fields and forests. It's established that he's an ex soldier living rough. We learn over the course of the film just how much of a toll Afghanistan took on him. He's dealing with PTSD from the things he saw and experienced. The titular Ravens soon appear to torment and push him into madness. He ends up dragged into a living hell where the Ravens have claimed other damaged soldiers. Unfortunately these have already suffered the tortures of the Raven warriors (who have a penchant for eye removal). From this point he either has to face his demons or remain trapped in their realm.
It's an intelligent film with a lot to say about how the experiences of war can affect our troops. It's easy to see the Raven warriors as a metaphor for the creeping depression that can so easily take hold of men and women who've seen the unspeakable horrors of war. The Ravens themselves are visually imposing and an excellent design for the film.
It has a vibe of the original Wicker Man due to it's surroundings and gentle music (another high point). I also got the feel of one of the old BBC Christmas Ghost stories whilst watching it (but that's more me than the film as it's that time of year). It's a film that will stay with me for a couple of days and probably deserves multiple watches to let it all soak in.
There's a definite talent and vision behind The Owlman and The Unkindness Of Ravens which is sadly lacking in today's horror industry. Thank god for Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly for their atmospheric, haunting and creepy productions. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.