{"id":13401,"date":"2021-11-02T15:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T13:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=13401"},"modified":"2022-06-09T16:38:45","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T14:38:45","slug":"sa-director-delivers-demonic-flick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2021\/11\/02\/sa-director-delivers-demonic-flick\/","title":{"rendered":"SA Director Delivers Demonic Flick"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Old-school possession meets modern technology in DEMONIC<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, South African writer-director Neill Blomkamp\u2019s first foray into the horror genre, which offers an innovative mix of supernatural horror and science fiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Blomkamp, the idea for the film was influenced by a combination of things. \u201cWhen the pandemic occurred and my other projects were put on hold, I wanted to do something we could control and just go out and shoot, so I decided to do something in the horror realm. I also had this idea of using a new technology called volumetric capture, which lends itself more to science fiction. So, it became a case of how to create a story with those elements.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEMONIC<\/em><\/strong> unpicks the troubled relationship between a daughter and her convict mother, after a medical tech firm instigates an unusual reunion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Carly (Carly Pope) learns that her estranged mother Angela (Nathalie Boltt), a convicted mass murderer, has fallen into a coma, she reluctantly agrees to take part in a cutting-edge therapy that will allow her to tap into her mother\u2019s still-active brain and communicate with her. Of course, this journey is preceded by warnings as to what might happen if memories slip out of sync.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observed by two experts, physician Michael (Michael J. Rogers) and neuroscientist Daniel (Terry Chen), she enters an unsettling simulation of her comatose mother\u2019s mindscape where inevitably, things don\u2019t run as smoothly as hoped \u2013 Carly discovers the powerful supernatural force responsible for the unspeakable acts of violence committed by her mother two decades earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haunted by terrifying visions in the real world, Carly joins forces with an old friend (Chris William Martin) as she desperately tries to fend off the demon before it can enter a new host. Carly\u2019s character is easy to identify with as she struggles to process long-suppressed memories, while Martin is solid in his supporting role. They are joined by Kandyse McClure, who adds a little fun to the trio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there are some genre cliches, such as power outages and an abandoned hospital, DEMONIC<\/em><\/strong> is visually inventive and the virtual reality scenes have a distinctive, hyperreal look. The simulation that Carly walks through inside Angela\u2019s mind is particularly engaging and makes for some interesting dreamworld exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t trying to make something overtly science fiction, I was just following ideas that interest me,\u201d <\/em>explains Blomkamp. \u201cThe concept of the brain as a computational device for external senses, and the idea that those inputs can come from your body but could also be connected to other sources, was something I found fascinating.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe used a new technology called volumetric capture, which I don\u2019t believe has been used in a film to this extent before. It\u2019s basically three-dimensional video, where you\u2019re turning your actors into geometry. You need about 260 cameras arranged in some sort of grid or dome that can see the actors from all points of view.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another intriguing and weirdly logical 21st century twist is Blomkamp\u2019s take on the Vatican, who uses virtual reality technology to seek out the demonically possessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blomkamp worked closely with Director of Photography Byron Kopman to achieve the desired look of the film. \u201cI hate how in a lot of horror films the dark environments feel overly lit and synthetic. So, the main discussion was about how much light we could work without for it to feel real. For instance, we have scenes that are illuminated only by car headlights or flashlights the actors are holding \u2013 none of this giant moonlight with smoke going through the air.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with any horror film, the score is also a major contributing factor. For DEMONIC<\/em><\/strong>, Blomkamp turned to composer Ola Strandh, who is best known for his acclaimed music for various video games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMusic is a huge wealth of inspiration for me and whenever I come across new artists I really like, I make a note of them. I had heard Ola\u2019s video game scores and thought they were amazing. It didn\u2019t automatically make me think of a horror film, I just liked what he was doing with a lot of the electronic sounds. So, I contacted him to see if he was interested. It ended up being an awesome collaboration. I love the score.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horror with a high-tech twist, DEMONIC<\/em><\/strong> will have you on the edge of your seat from the start to the demon-filled finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is locally distributed by Filmfinity Pty (Ltd.) and will be released in South African cinemas on 19 November 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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