Videoman review: Prepare to get very nostalgic for the good old VHS tape in this eighties inspired throwback film.
Videoman review by Steve Palace.
Videoman review
While horror fans shell out for special edition Blu-rays of their favourite movies, they haven’t quite lost their love affair with grainy old VHS. The cover art has a following in itself and some tapes still make a fortune in the right hands. It goes to show that the old ways can still be the best, so it makes sense writer/director Kristian A. Söderström uses the format as a backdrop to his Swedish comedy drama Videoman.
Ennio (Stefan Sauk) is a former video emporium owner who lives in the past with his massive collection of tapes. “My basement is a time machine!” he declares at one point. He’s largely isolated, especially after best friend Bosse (Morgan Alling) has got married and become ‘respectable’.
His underground existence points to a man who has hidden himself away, venturing out for pedantic exchanges with fellow enthusiasts. There’s a funny argument over a sex scene where gratuitous female anatomy is the last consideration, and at one point Ennio refuses a former customer a VHS because he remembers he owned a dodgy player years ago.
Videoman Review
Meanwhile office worker Simone (Lena Nilsson) also lives the nostalgic life, drinking the hours away to escape her patronising and vindictive co-workers, whilst struggling to make herself heard on social media. Her and Ennio run into each other and from there a romance of sorts slowly develops.
Söderström paints a very honest portrait of two awkward people, giving the relationship a warts and all feel that’s refreshing. The horror element, shown in movie clips and posters on walls, is an unusual touch for what is essentially not a horror movie. But it’s not often you see Giallo fandom as a springboard to love so this makes Videoman stand out.
Videoman Review
There’s a vague subplot about a missing tape and a mysterious figure known as “Faceless” that seems designed to keep the film going and doesn’t add much overall. The strong performances and script feel real, making the fantasy aspects seem slightly out of place.
The film’s conclusion is surprisingly touching, though what Frightfest audiences will make of it is anyone’s guess. However if you’re going to get them to watch a love story between two broken down middle-aged people then this is definitely the one to pick.
Videoman review by Steve Palace, August 2018.
Videoman screened as part of Arrow Video Frightfest 2018. Videoman releases on DVD & Digital HD 18th February, courtesy of FrightFest Presents
