Indie
[Sundance Review] ‘Bitch’ is a Doggone Piece of Crap
Every year at Sundance, there’s at least one movie, usually in the midnight section, that seems to revel in provoking walkouts. While I admire the subversive instincts of films like The Greasy Strangler and Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, I wish I could enjoy them in the same way the filmmakers enjoy pushing buttons. Bitch is the walkout movie of this Sundance, although I saw it at a press screening where it’s not surprising industry and critics wouldn’t go for it. Perhaps the intended midnight audience ate it up, pun intended.
Jill (Marianna Palka who also wrote and directed) is suicidal from being ignored by her husband Bill (Jason Ritter), who is cheating on her at the office while leaving her with their four children. One day Jill disappears leaving Bill to frantically take care of the kids for the day. They find Jill in the basement behaving like a dog, having peed and pooped all over herself and the kitchen floor.
So this is an interesting vehicle for Palka to create for herself. She certainly gives a bravura performance covered in shit and barking in a dark basement. It’s hard to say it’s tasteful the way they obscure her actual nudity, but she is still naked covered in filth.
[Related] Keep up with all of our 2017 Sundance Film Festival coverage
The premise is revolting but I’m okay with that. She’s got something to say. I celebrate going all the way with it and I’d love to understand why she wants to present herself this way, but I don’t. It would be easy to call it self-loathing but that seems too obvious. Yet if there was another message, it’s giving way to the self-loathing interpretation.
It’s the tone of the whole movie that throws off the extreme repulsion. It’s absurd broad pratfall comedy with abstract non linear reality. The dog thing is weird enough that the rest of the movie should be grounded. The tone goes so far it’s off putting. Yes, the chatter of four hyperactive children is stressful. Yes, babbling at the office to make excuses for this situation you couldn’t possibly explain is weird. The kids putting on a fake Christmas is weird. And then Bill starts talking about his big dick.
It’s edited in such a disorienting way. Imagine we were all ready to accept the premise of Bitch when we walked into the theater, but if it’s not even being explored in a linear way that’s a bit too much. Add to that the sound mix distorting background sounds and overlapping dialogue with bubbly sounds or drum/cymbal cacophony, and the movie is pushing you away the entire time.
I can’t say any of this is a mistake though. Bitch is not an amateur movie that failed in its ambitions. All of this is intentional so perhaps Palka achieved her desired provocation. It should be clear from my description whether or not it would provoke you.
You can read a positive take on the film right here.
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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