MUFF X - The Tenth Melbourne Underground Film Festival

Curated by Michael Helms At MUFF X we are extremely proud to present what amounts to the first ever gathering in one place of films based on the work of American novelist Jack Ketchum. It’s hard to believe that a year ago this would not have been possible as several of these films were still in production. It’s perhaps even harder to believe that it’s taken this long since the publication of his first novel Off Season in 1980 for there to be a Ketchum filmography but then again, maybe not. Ketchum from day one has been unflinching in his desire to map with unerring attention to detail the violence of both the physical and psychological types that we humans can inflict on each other. But here we are with a bunch of films that are as emotionally hard-hitting as they are faithful to the grim realities presented in almost pathological detail in Ketchum’s seriously engrossing texts. The same writings that long ago entranced Richard Wolstencroft and motivated him to actually meet with Dallas Mayr (Jack Ketchum is a pseudonym) and produce a short version of Off Season (appearing here with Offspring). Become a combatant, see all these films and feel the attraction.

	The Lost (2008) Director/Producer/Writer: Chris Sivertson Producer: Lucky McKee Cast: Marc Senter, Shay Astar, Alex Frost, Megan Henning, Robin Sydney, Dee Wallace-Stone, Michael Bowen, Ed Lauter + Jack Ketchum. 7PM / Thu 27 Aug / Glitch From the galvanizing opening sequence, your eyeballs will be welded to the screen by The Lost, a superior serial killer bio-pic that is also sure to singe your brain before you walk away. But you might reasonably expect this as The Lost is Jack Ketchum’s version of the life and crimes of Charles ‘Schmitty’ Schmid, a murderer who would now be lucky to get a cursory mention on the Crime Channel much less be remembered from the previous now obscure film to commemorate his activities. Known as the Pied Piper of Tuscon in the mid-60s when he was finally arrested, Schmid or Ray Pye as he’s known here, is the epitome of molly coddled and drug fucked psychopath whose own monstrous ego pushes him to murder and the mistaken belief that he can get away with it while bragging about it. Marc Senter who also earns an associate producer credit is sensational as Ray Pye reportedly giving everyone a hard time on set when the film was lensed in 2004 by refusing to step out of character. From beneath his fake beauty spot Senter lays out Pye’s derangement like a fresh bullet cartridge that he dementedly slams into your head. Kill to see The Lost after all how many modern films made from novels can lay claim to the full support of their author? The Lost is that sort of rare beast.

	The Girl Next Door dir. Gregory Wilson / USA / 2007 9PM / Thu 27 Aug / Glitch Prosecutors called it ‘the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana.’ In 1965, a young girl was brutally murdered following months of unthinkable abuse from her foster mother and the neighbouring children. Propelled by this crime, which tore through the presumed innocence of suburban America, Jack Ketchum developed a terrifying novel, which in 2007 was adapted for the big screen by Gregory Wilson. The master of horror himself, Stephen King, calls this movie “the first authentically shocking American film I’ve seen since Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer”, and his bold recommendation holds true. The undercurrent of menace during the film’s early scenes soon rises to a tide of sickening violence. Beautifully filmed and featuring a stellar cast led by Blanche Baker, don’t miss the rare opportunity to view this thrilling and frightening masterpiece in the cinema. It’ll remain in your mind long after you’ve left the theatre.

	Red dir’s: Trygvee Allister Diesen+Lucky McKee / 2008 Cast: Brian Cox, Noel Fisher, Tom Sizemore, Kyle Gallner, Robert Englund, Ashley Laurence + Amanda Plummer 7PM / Fri 28 Aug / Glitch Low-key but haunting and ominous, Red like all of Ketchum’s brutal and now swelling cinematic oeuvre delivers in many unexpected ways. The tale of a lonely old man in a tiny backwoods US town who has his best friend snuffed by a smart arse teenager with a gun, Red traverses the mindset of small town prejudice and fear as Cox as the wronged pensioner seeks to address the situation and other demons from his past when he attempts to push his problem through the local legal system. Suffice to say it all ends in tears for everyone. Robert Englund and Amanda Plummer are superb as an ignorant white trash couple open to any form of corruption and Tom Sizemore can be seen here in his last feature role just before he was busted in 2007. See Red or be dead.

	Offspring Director/Producer: Andrew van den Houten Writer: Jack Ketchum Cast: Ahna Tessler, Amy Hargreaves, Erick Kastel, Jessica Butler, Art Hindl, Spencer List + Andrew Elvis Miller 7PM / Sat 29 Aug / Embassy Offspring, the latest and perhaps greatest cinematic version of a Jack Ketchum novel so far, is based on his second work of the same title that was a sequel to his first book, The Off Season. Both are based on the legend of Scottish degenerate Sawney Beane and his family (who I first read about in an early 70s edition of The Guiness Book Of Records) and are concerned with the activities of a cannibalistic family operating in isolated rural North America. Offspring shows the resistance of abductees Claire and Amy who aren’t about to let their children or themselves become digested by a pack of rural cannibals without a fight. This action is contrasted against the behaviour of deadbeat Dad, Steve. With the exception of the always busy Canadian Art Hindle (Porky’s, The Brood, The Clone Master, Black Christmas) who is also listed as Associate Producer, Offspring keeps it’s edge of reality with an unknown but exceptional cast who are all soon to kick on big time. Offspring was directed by the young producer of The Girl Next Door, who also doubles on production duties here. Both films were made by production company Modern Cine. Offspring will be supported by a short version of The Off Season produced/written and directed two decades ago by our very own director Richard Wolstencroft. You’d have to be feral to miss this blinding premiere.