There is something intoxicating about watching documentaries about the process of creating art, and in this case, making movies. Where it really gets good, though, is when you get a glimpse into the indie-filmmaking of emerging and inexperienced filmmakers. Think of “AMERICAN MOVIE” and how engaging the documentary was as it showed director Mark Borchardt as he worked to make an independent horror film. It was fascinating, felt real, and charming because of the passion of these friends who just wanted to make a movie.
“FOUND FOOTAGE” follows a similar path, with an award-winning documentary filmmaker following the making of an indie horror film, only here it’s all a work of fiction. It’s a mockumentary-style film that tracks found footage.
INCEPTION!
“FOUND FOOTAGE” follows a documentary crew as they film the making of a found footage film called “The Patterson Project,” referencing the famed Bigfoot footage that sparked a surge in sightings of the hairy beastie. As with most indie horror films on a budget, it’s an arduous task to bring things together to make everything happen, and we see that firsthand. The film manages to cast Daniel Radcliffe as its lead and convince its major funder that the deceased Alan Rickman is also featured in the film. One way or another, they will get the movie shot. As they shoot their film, working to overcome issue after issue, it becomes clear that finishing their film may be much harder than they could ever have imagined.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the film, as much of what I read focused on how funny the movie was. And it is definitely that. There’s a great and natural chemistry between the actors, and for anyone who has worked on a movie or knows the process of making them, it all looks pretty plausible how things unfold. There’s a reason why so many films never make it to completion, without something sinister at play. The film definitely dips into horror, though with tongue in cheek, and it works well. Things never get tonally dark, but the stakes definitely change.
The filmmakers nail both the found footage aspect and the mockumentary side, and bring out certain truths that the audience rarely sees. One such example of this is when the director has to take over shooting the film from one of his actors when it becomes clear the guy doesn’t know a thing about handling a camera. You also get to see the dark side of being a documentarian, in that you can end up being in for a penny, and then in for a pound if things take a turn for the worse.
“FOUND FOOTAGE” is a fun movie that leans heavily into humor, but still manages to bring in some of the madcap energy you see in something like “HOUSE.” While the emphasis here is on humor, it gets dark and gruesome, yet it still retains the heart of the film. Hearing it’s comedic may turn off a lot of found footage fans, but give it a watch – you’ll be surprised. The cast is great, the twists are fun, and it’s yet another great example of what you can do with this subgenre.
If I had one gripe, it’s that I wish the horrific elements were given a little more room to breathe, but that’s a minor complaint.
Definitely a fun one.
3.5 out of 5
The Spooky World of Chris Ringler 