The Director: Elisabeth Fies
The Cast: Chauntal Lewis, David Lago, Stuart G. Bennett
Release Date: June 5, 2009
As I've gotten to know some folks in the horror scene via this goofy thing called the world wide web, one of the coolest people I've come across is filmmaker Elisabeth Fies. Using her quick wit and vast knowledge of cinema, Ms. Fies has become a vocal advocate for women filmmakers everywhere - who is also pretty darn good at making movies. Her debut feature, The Commune, is a shocking and realistic tale of feminine fear that packs a helluva punch.
Starring Chauntal Lewis - who gives a remarkable performance - as a young girl who is sent to live with her father at what could only be described as a hippie community. While there, she runs afoul of some psychotropic drugs, meets a young punk rock fellow, and begins to believe that there's something very odd going on around her. Borrowing heavily from films like The Wicker Man, there's a sense of dread that increases throughout the film as the viewer begins to understand there's something not right. The Commune is an independent debut feature that's a little raw, but it'll probably make your skin crawl nonetheless.
