Shriekfest 2014 Preview – From Kheireddine El-Helou comes Drudge, a short film that brutally demonstrates how an innocently planned romantic evening can descend into a horrific nightmare culminating in a desperate game of life and death. Drawing comparison with the opening scenes of Wes Craven’s seminal slasher Scream this is a film that unexpectedly suffers from being so brief, lasting only an enjoyably gore-filled 9 minutes.
When a young couple’s night is interrupted by a funky-weapon wielding, steam-punk inspired killer you know there is not going to be a happy ending. The trouble is that when it reaches its conclusion you want to see more. As a prologue to a feature film, as the concept may originally have been, Drudge succeeds in introducing the malevolent character of the title and his callous, murderous nature.
As the short ends there is a feeling of missing something; of wanting to see how this character came to be and how the story may develop. While this intrigue is an admirable quality it is perhaps a slight issue with a short film, by nature something so restricted by time. As a stand-alone short Drudge may not entirely work for everyone but where it is successful is in its distinct and stylish design.
The character itself is striking; kind of a leather biker version of The Predator, and is suitably frightening. The effects are extremely impressive and there is a strong sense of real terror, and everything is put together with skill and a kind of bloodthirsty relish.
OVERALL SUMMARY
Ironically as a short film, Drudge is too short. As a prelude to a feature, it is an impressive set up. Drudge is screening in Short Program 2 at 2.00pm on Saturday 4th October.
