Indie
[Stanley ’14 Review] ‘LFO’ Strange and Darkly Funny
Control is the major theme underrunning the Swedish dark comedy LFO, a film that revolves around an eccentric scientist Robert (played by Patrik Karlson) who is very much into the power he acquires over his hapless neighbors with the push of a button. Through what seems like years of research, Robert has finally discovered a certain low frequency that can be used to make others susceptible to any given suggestion or direction.
He’s quick to take advantage of his discovery, inviting over neighbors Linn (Izabella Jo Tschig) and Sebastian (Björn Löfberg Egner) into a prolonged science experiment.
Presented by Elijah Wood’s production company SpectreVision, I found LFO to be strange and rather darkly funny exploration of manipulation and power. Director and writer Antonio Tublen achieves good dialogue, like the banter that plays between Robert and his estranged spouse Clara (Ahnna Rasch) or his fellow researcher and potential business partner Sinus-San (Erik Börén), who is quick to suspect that Robert is hiding something from him.
His protagonist is a demented and downright evil scientist, but Karlson achieves a charismatic character who is creative as he thinks of things to do with the two humans under his control, achieving moments both uncomfortable and humorous. His musings in-between are deep and full of sardonic loathing for himself and for others.
Robert achieves a great deal of power throughout LFO with his low frequency find, despite my eagerness to see them shake off the creepy soundwaves that they’re constantly bathed in as Robert scrambles to set things right when the real world kicks in. Linn and Sebastian are beautiful subjects to their hunched master, only achieving rare moments of clarity when they realize they’re doing things they never would normally or finding themselves wondering why they’re borrowing coffee from the creepiest guy in the neighborhood.
Just over 90 minutes, LFO has adequate pacing and considerably better timing, especially when it goes for the laughs. Some might debate its label of psychological horror, but it satisfies cravings of discomfort among all the laughs.
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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