The Devil's Carnival
.gif)
There's no use hiding it, I'm massive fan of the combined talents of Terence Zdunich and Darren Lynn Bousman.
Why?
Well, obviously one reason is that they are the creators of Repo! The Genetic Opera. This phenomenal Goth musical horror amalgamation found wavering press (wrongly, I might add). Yet - with all cult films - was given a home with a vocally strong fan-base who sing tales of Repo Men, organs and Zydrate. The musical may seem ludicrously over the top, but that's the point. The film boasts a terrific tale of feuds and family passionate pumping beneath it. With catchy songs and devilish characters, Zdunich alongside Darren Smith created a world and it was gloriously embellished by Saw director Bousman's vivid gory imagination. Repo! The Genetic Opera is making strides and reaching out to establish a reverent group of fans - this reporter ncluded.
So imagine the excitement in 2012 when the pair combined talnts again to create short film The Devil's Carnival. Could the film match the excellence of Repo!?
In short, yes it can. But it is a very different beast...
Imagine Hell as a vintage steampunk carnival. Add a few demented clowns and performers, throw in a conniving Lucifer and mix in three sinners. With all that, on you are close to the raucous film. The short follows three people who all die and are sent to hell for their crimes. John is a grieving father who commits suicide following the death of his son. Ms. Merrywood is a thief who dies during a police shoot out following a jewel heist and Tamara is killed by her boyfriend. As they enter the titular place, they become figures in fables eerily similar to their sins. Taunted and punished, the three must absolve themselves or perform forever in The Devil's Carnival.
There's a lot of meat here for merely 55 minutes. But the fantastical feast of mythology, storytelling and spectacular visuals makes this a remarkably original film. Drenched in red and green tones, the film burns with an excellence that has no peer. Very rarely does a film come along with ferocious uniqueness. But Bousman's work teamed with Zdunich's is gorgeously realised and wonderfully fleshed out. With twisted humour and morals, The Devil's Carnival is, indeed, a horror circus that takes you down the fiery rabbit hole of death.
And it feels like everyone is passionate here, having fun in the process. As key players of Repo! such as Paul Sourvino, Bill Moseley, Alexa Vega and Nicki the Ogre help flesh out the film, they are joined by Sean Patrick Flannery, Jessica Lowndes and Briana Evigan as the three sordid souls on a road of hellish antics. From side-show freaks narrating the tales, this is a wonderful collection of performers who populated the screen with riotous delights.
For fans of Repo! The Genetic Opera, I feel it imperative to tell you - it's not what you expect. It's different which is not necessarily a bad thing. But you have to get used to the change, especially in music. It's not necessarily bad but it doesn't have the narrative power of Repo! That being said it's still good - excellent, no doubt. It brings with circus melodies and vintage tunes that fits the narrative and style of the movie. It is drawn away from its predecessor but resoundingly confident in its slick style that echoes long after viewing.
Of course, this is just the beginning as in a week’s time, in US only, Alleluia! the Devils Carnival comes out where we will see more of heaven as Lucifer wages war on God. This little pre-battle movie is tantalising for an overall arc of a series that enticing.
Most importantly, however, you are going to have a hell of a time.
Tickets are currently on sale for Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival US tour at www.thedevilscarnival.com/tickets
See my interviews with Lucifer himself Terrance Zdunich and director Darren Lynn Bousman
Read all about my love of Repo! The Genetic Opera: Here, here and here.