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WORLD OF DEATH Ep. 44 – Other

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Chicago-based Director Daniel DelPurgatorio’s 2012 SXSW entry, Other, is a wickedly foreboding fusion of Michael Crichton’s surgical precision, David Cronenberg’s visceral, grotesque imagination, and Stuart Gordon at his most meditative. It’s an intelligent science-fiction horror fantasy equal parts contemplative and dangerous, holistic and horrifying.

I suspect one could extrapolate a formidable amount of substantive meaning and subtext beyond the meticulously crafted gore and ominous atmospherics. Other’s true function supersedes horror; it’s actually a renegade piece of sharp, calculating social commentary.  Though don’t get me wrong, it’s profound positions are still oozing puss and dripping blood with the efficiency and ingenuity of American medicine. But that’s not up for debate; our incredible technological advances in medical science are admired by the world over.  It’s our welfare policy and our fractured, out-of-fucking-control health care system that has come under the microscope of contemporary political analysis. The American position that health care is a business gestates at the nucleus of this short film which articulates its attitudes  with the tactical accuracy of the most careful and discerning clinician. America is one of only three developed countries in the world that does not provide Universal health care (aka/single-payer or gasp! socialized medicine) for all its citizens. Our infant mortality rate lags behind over 25 other developed countries and now that the ACA (Obamacare – yes, they are the same fucking thing) is under fire from establishment Republicans, this film is even more pertinent. Other takes these constructs and deposits them within the heart of its genius gonzo scientist-protagonist, who represents both the everyday citizen under constant political duress from the military-industrial-health care complex and the endgame for our decaying, obsolete system.

This brilliant, rogue Omega Man literally goes mad from constant invention, and his inevitable collapse is the result of a system that is so fractured, so lacking empathy, so incredibly capitalistic, one has no other choice but to embrace aberration both to psyche and the physical form. The question here is how far are we from back-alley research where Brundlefly is leading the charge, so perverted from years of reckless ingenuity because cancer treatment is far more profitable than a cure?

– Ben Lewandowski

World of Death is the web series that fans of independent horror have been waiting for.  Featuring short horror films from all over the globe created by the largest variety of talent that a collection has ever been able to boast, WOD provides plenty of blood, guts, screams and laughs for all fans of the macabre.  And with episodes averaging around eight minutes in length, WOD is the perfect entertainment for a fan base constantly on the go.  Watch it anywhere, at any time, for FREE! New episodes premiere every Monday and Thursday at 10am CST.

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Indie

“Bite Size Short: Her House of Horrors” Announce Short Grant Program!

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Her House of Horrors, the horror division of Independent Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY, has launched its Bite Size Short Grant Program, ahead of its film festival Dollhouse of Horror, which will take place in March 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.

The Bite Size Short Grant Program awards $2,000 film grants to female-identifying and queer horror filmmakers. Shorts must be able to be made for $2,000, with a minimum runtime of 8 minutes. Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway, and are being judged by a panel of horror lovers and content creators.

The 2024 Bite Size Short Grant Program judge lineup is as follows:

“James H. Carter II- A documentary director, film producer, podcaster, marketing specialist, and writer. James is the founder and co-owner of Creepy Kingdom. Creepy Kingdom was founded in 2011 and is a multimedia website, and production studio specializing in creepy content. Their primary focus lies at the intersection of childlike fantasy and the macabre, covering horror films, theme parks, haunts, and much more. Beyond their extensive media coverage, Creepy Kingdom hosts events, offers original merchandise, and engages in film production under the Creepy Kingdom Studios brand producing original films like “Foolish Mortals”, exploring Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” fan culture, and “Georgie”, featuring Tony Dakota from the original “It” miniseries.

“In addition to founding Creepy Kingdom, James has won awards for his documentary work, including the award-winning “Foolish Mortals,” which has earned him recognition. He has been featured on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween special.

“Ashleeta Beauchamp is the editor-in-chief of Peek-A-Boo! Magazine, a cheeky horror magazine created to uplift marginalized writers, artists, models and other creators within the horror community. She also runs The Halloween Coalition, a community group to provide support and marketing for horror and Halloween events around the Southern California area.

“Titeanya Rodríguez is a multi-hyphenate creative, and the founder and owner of HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, home of DOLLHOUSE OF HORROR and the horror division of WOMXNOGRAPHY. As a fellow storyteller and a self-proclaimed artivist, Titeanya’s mission is to create opportunities for women of color and queer women, across film, tv, sports, music, and beyond. She is also the creator of the BITE SIZE SHORT grant program.”

Winners will have a one-night theatrical screening at Regal Cinemas. Submissions Close April 8 at Midnight. Winners will be announced on May 27, 2024. Shorts must be shot and through post-production by June 30, 2024. The screening will take place on July 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.

WOMXNOGRAPHY, HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, and Rodriguez are represented by Azhar PR, Granderson Des Rochers, and Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.

To submit your short to the Bite Size Short Grant Program, go to the FilmFreeway link here.

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