Grotesque Fest 7

It has been years since I have been to the Bryant Lake Bowl, and it was so good to return to such an intimate venue. What got me there? Not something I typically would have attended, but am glad I did. There is a short film showcase named Grotesque Fest in town. This was the 7th showcase featuring a wide variety of film makers - most from the Twin Cities. This was my first time attending, and I had no idea what to expect except for short films, burlesque, and music. 

*** note: all profile names are from Instagram unless noted otherwise***

What I experienced was a fun and truly spooky nerdlesque/drag number by Father les Behavior (@fatherlesbehavior). Their make-up was certainly what I would call clown horror, or harlequin horror. All white face, dark make-up appearing out of a mask that was split down the middle which really added to the creepy factor. It was and is a brilliant concept that was executed perfectly. Along with that was dark costuming, with chains, along with horns that were draped in chains. It was a fantastic look, and a good number.

After that, the rest of the 90+ min night was a series of nine short films. Between each film was a visual of an artwork by Lou Thomas (@careful.she.bites), which was accompanied with music by Brian Thomas whose newest project is Sounds of Beleth (which you can find on youtube). Everything ran so smoothly between the "insterstitial" tunes/art and the films. The art work felt organic with some harlequin imagery, curving lines - all one color on a solid background. It looked very much like art from a mysterious new tarot deck.The music was good, and darkly ambient while the artwork was fascinating - a perfect combination.

Now, the films. The majority of them dealt with horror in some way - either ghosts, fantasy characters, or gore, or a combination of them all. There were a few animated films that were sweet and tender - Freak4freak by Bryan Macintosh (@lycan_tosh), What the Lighthouse Keeps by Gabbie Martinson (@drawn.bygab), while The Amazing Hamster Adventure by Lukas Anderson (@Lukas.Andrson) was a bit darker. There was also one that was a mystery to me, but still interesting to watch - The Secret Solute to Cunt by Zoë Allen Wickler (@eyespyscience). A music video for a song named Creepy Candy by Count Spookula (@count.spookula) was a lot of fun to watch. Then there was a fantastic stop-motion, paper-cut-out piece that also mixed live action into it. This was originally created by Niles Schwartz (@nilesfiles) as a backdrop video to a live burlesque number based on Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula. There were some really smart images in this film that really makes me want to see the full burlesque number that accompanies it. The last three films were all live action and fantastic. Worry No More by Frank Bolton (@fobomakes) was a wonderfully spooky and atmospheric film. It had some things to say about content creation culture, as well as looking out for others. Salt Circles by Vanessa Powers (@oxfordcommav) also had social commentary which is needed today. It made me think of Heathers - dark black comedy, with a soft possibly romantic side to it. So well done. The last film was Son of the Dragon by William Patrick Neisen (@weewillywinky97) which certainly had a gore factor but was so good. Some fantastic visuals, and very good story telling. The whole night was curated by Lily Berg (@avianbean) and Derek Bauer (@bowbowbower). While this was the first of their showcases I went to, if this is any indication of what the other ones were like this is an event you should keep your eye out for. The films were all really well done, and the whole night was so well put together. This town is so full of creative people and it is truly inspiring. So - check out the instagrams of these fine folk, and check out our local film community.