We all remember that film from 1973. Banned in Ireland from many years due to its content, the film had a stigma attached in many corners, curses, strange things going on set, people dying, and all that hokey pokey good stuff.

The Exorcist is one of my favourite films, something that many friends question. It wasn’t the fact of having studied film in college back in the day or written a piece about what the film represents as a piece of art that drew me to it. It was the fact that when I saw it, 16 years of age, it scared the pants off me. For the 122 minutes the film displayed on my TV, I was glued to my seat in a lather of sweat and white knuckles. I was alive for those 2 hours and William Friedkin ensured that I would remember that film for a long time.

Nowadays, with our desensitised view of the world the film is somewhat dated, as horror films have been permitted by censors to be more shocking that they were in the 70′s and of course, the film has been imitated and parodied regularly. But never recreated. Even John Boorman couldn’t bring his charm to it’s sequel (and interestinly enough, Boorman apparantely turned down the chance to direct the first film, as the story goes, because it was a nasty piece of work). The original novel’s writer, William Peter Blatty, tried his hand at directing the third film, which focussed moreso on a spate of killings with satanic overtones. While the film had its moments, it wasn’t a patch on the original. I’m not going to mention the 2 prequels at this point.

Cut to today, Eric asked me if I could help out with some of the logistically elements of the film so with my background in No Drama Theatre, I set about sourcing potential actors that would potentially meet his criteria. The film will centre around an exorcism of an Irish girl but rather than focus on the horror of the piece, the film will focus on the psychological aspect. A good decision in my opinion.

As part of my research for the project, I read a number of modern non fiction books on the subject material; The Rite; The Dark Sacrement and Hostage Of The Devil. The books brought me into a world that I have to admit, should really only reside on the top shelf of the horror section down at your local Xtravision. The books were fascinated but equally frightening. Unlike Friedkin’s movie, the books didn’t offer tales of spinning heads, mass disfigurations or mutations but instead offered an insight into the modern Catholic Church that appears to have been brushed under the carpet for a long time. But books are books so the production team set out to meet with Ireland’s leading Exorcist. A priest named Father Pat Collins. Fr. Collins was difficult to track down but he did agree to meet with the team and share his insight into his world. Fr. Collin’s tales and explanation as to what happens during an exorcism would make the hairs stand up on your neck. His stories mirrored many of the stories we read about in the books. He wasn’t a troubled man, he came across as a very strong man mentally and spiritually. Perhaps his experiences, as nasty as some of them were, offered him a renewed sense of faith. As William Peter Blatty once said, “God never talks. But the devil keeps advertising, Father. The devil does a lot of commercials.”

I should point out that Fr. Collins did not object to the project nor try dissuade the project from proceeding. He did however warn the team to thread carefully. Almost like your mother telling you to look in both directions before crossing the road. One thing that the research has shown is that the subject matter is distressing and regardless of what anyone’s religious beliefs are, it’s not a pleasant topic in any shape or form.

But the show must go on. Eric and his screen writer, Martin Robinson, are pressing ahead with writing the story and almost a whole production team is now in place. Some actors have been already been cast and there is a sense of excitment already building. Eric plans on showcasing the film in the film festivals, similar to Seer, and hopefully a distributor will pick up film at that point.

The film is yet untitled and shooting is planned for early summer. I hope to blog about it more as things move along.

Oh and to pre-empt the question that is always asked when movies like this are being made, “has anything strange happened yet?” Yes it has. But you’re not really going to believe me, are you?

Written by Martin Andrew Robinson, produced by Jim Cahill and directed by first timer, Eric Courtney, Seer were shot on a mere budget of €200k and tells the story of 7 strangers who wake up in a remote house in Wexford with no memory and a tag on their wrists to tell them their name. The lead role, Mary Perry, is played by Tara Nixon O’Neill who you may recognise from Pure Mule, Fair City or The Clinic.

As the plot progresses, the 7 strangers realise they can’t leave the house as a creature lurks on the grounds waiting to devour them on site. Dotted around the house are clues to what is going on, a child monitor and mirrors with pentagrams painted on them. Mary Perry is plagued by flashbacks and visions which suggest there is more to the events than first imagined.

It is easy to see that director Courtney is a fan of the horror genre. In many ways the film plays out as a horror siege, reminiscent of horror great, John Carpenter. The ambient soundtrack is dominated by atmospheric noises and percussion, a tool used very successfully in Carpenter’s “The Thing”.

So is it any good? Well as with any low budget horror movie, the realism is limited by the budget available. However Courtney does an excellent job as maintaining the tension without the need for quick scares. You do at times however feel like shouting at the characters that they should just try harder when trying to leave the house!

The acting and dialogue is weak in parts although thankfully we are spared from stereotype female actors screaming and running around confused. In fact it is many ways the male characters trapped in the house that assume the stereotype hollywood female persona! Many of the performances are wooden but it is not all lost. Michael, played by David Walsh, really brings life to his role playing the somewhat estranged father, distant from his wife and family. His wife, played by Rita Evelyn Smith, also puts in a strong performance.

Unfortunately however some of the cut scenes with the 2 parents do deter from the tension created in the house and we are kept guessing at the relevance throughout.

The climax of the film has a nice twist but the dragged out explanatory ending does take away from the mysticism somewhat, well for me anyway. I’m not the type of person that feels everything needs to be explained.

Overall the film is enjoyable and while it doesn’t offer anything new for the genre, it does hold its head high with graceful nods to previous horror classics and its restraint with the characters. While there is no denying that the low budget nature of the film does show but Courtney makes the best of use of his resources and putting together a much needed “Shroomless” Irish horror. I did wonder at the end of the film what Courtney could have achieved with a larger budget.

In Summary: Low budget Irish horror with dodgy dialogue and performances in parts but kept together with some tense scenes and atmos. Courtney is one to watch out for in the future.

Last week I promised an interview with Eric Courtney however due to scheduling clashes the interview has been postponed till later this week.

Friday night at the IFI in Dublin saw the sold out Irish Premier of a new Irish horror, Seer, directed by Kildare-man Eric Courtney.

Official site:   www.seerthemovie.com

Quicktime Trailer:

seer_trailer_640x360

Keep an eye out on the site later this week, when we will have an interview with director Eric Courtney posted up!

What are your views?