‘Trapped. No Mercy. No Escape. No One Gets Out Alive’
Directors: Jaume Balaguero, Paco Plaza
Cast: Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Pablo Rosso
Plot: A television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building only to find themselves locked inside with something terrifying…
There is no denying it: foreign films are scarier. Whether it’s because they are subtitled, the characters speaking another language, or we are all scared of the unknown is unclear. But if you need proof of this statement watch [REC] undoubtedly the eeriest, most soul destroying zombie flick in recent memory.
Part of the appeal with [REC] is Angela Vidal (Verdasco) who epitomises everything it is to need to feel appreciated, and to succeed. Her determination whilst reporting on a Barcelona Fire Station to cover everything they do is admirable, but ultimately leads to her – and many others’ – demise (maybe). Sadly [REC] isn’t perfect as the antagonist is the common dog. Those furry little blighters that we all love spread the virus around like there is no tomorrow. The result is Zombies eating those that try to help, and just generally being murderous nuisances in an apartment block. The building is a filmmakers favourite tool, and is utilised to full effect here: every corner is terrifying, each room is filled with fear, and the stairwells await death.
If a young, aspiring director is looking for a way to create tension, scares, and of course entertainment they could do much worse than study a film 78 minutes in length with more stuffed into it than your average found footage film. Ah yes, [REC] is an example of how to overcome the most cumbersome of obstacles by being confident, not relying on coincidence, and most of all making sense. Obviously with Zombies involved this isn’t a true story but the atmosphere created by the handheld footage is mastery and you feel like you are present.
Followed up by two sequels – and with a third on the way – [REC] does more for found footage than THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (although ‘Day 10’ may have something to say about that) and is so breathtakingly put together is impossible not to be terrified of, and most importantly impressed by. Need a Halloween scare? Get hold of [REC].
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