CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING
Young lovers Tom and Maria are interrupted by a chainsaw-wielding maniac. After Maria’s kidnapping, aided by the eternally upbeat Jaan, Tom tracks her down only to discover the dark secrets surrounding the killer’s past and present. If Monty Python and Mel Brooks decided to make a slasher film, Estonian filmmaker Sander Maran’s CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING would be their demented little offspring. It is the kind of instant cult classic ripe for Midnight screenings.
The film perfectly captures the absurdity of most musicals – cheating toward the audience, over-the-top gestures, and breaking into song, often at inexplicable moments. These are facts about the genre. I know. I majored in it at a conservatory in Manhattan. Like Anna and The Apocalypse, Bloodthirsty, Rocky Horror, Little Shop, Sweeney Todd, Repo! The Genetic Opera, CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING enters the fray of outstanding subgenre horror musicals.
The plot takes from films like Wrong Turn, Texas Chainsaw, and Robin Hood: Men In Tights. Hands down, one of the most catchy numbers belongs to The Killer, in which he sings about his murderous penchant. Jaan’s song made me guffaw more than once. (Think an even more insane version of “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.”)
The practical FX team went above and beyond. It is not often a film that makes me physically nauseous. CHAINSAWS almost made me lose it. Like everything else, kills are entirely over the top but unbelievably creative. CHAINSAW WERE SINGING is unhinged and in your face. A 3D version would not, and should not, be out of the question.
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024
HONORS
Audience Award – Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024
Best Estonian Genre Film – Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024
DIRECTOR
Sander Maran
PRODUCER
Jan Andresson, Karl-Joosep Ilves, Kaur Maran, Peeter Maran
WRITER
Sander Maran
CAST
Karl-Joosep Ilves, Laura Niils, Janno Puusepp, Martin Ruus, Rita Rätsepp
COMPOSER
Sander Maran
EDITOR
Sander Maran
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Kadri Kuusler
CONTACT
Marani Bros
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://chainsawsweresinging.com
For all things Fantasia 2024, click here!
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Jack Greig
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ONE FOR THE ROAD
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The stunning sophomore feature from award-winning director Carlota Pereda (
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THE BLEACHER
WILDFLOWER
DEAD TOOTH
Tribeca 2024 Shorts
Short | United States, France | 18 MINUTES | English, French | English subtitles
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There is a theatrical delivery of much of the dialogue. Deragh Campbell is marvelous playing Katy. She delivers a compelling performance, reminding us how much we rely on the family matriarch to set our boundaries. Campbell’s pervasive anxiety flows on the screen.
The film brilliantly captures the poetic chaos of family gatherings. A myriad of intimate vignettes are all swirling together in an authentic picture where time loses all meaning. FAMILY PORTRAIT is haunting in so many ways. It will leave you breathless and wanting more.
SWEATY LARRY
Our introduction to Sweaty Larry is as ridiculous as it should be, and the original song saying over the credits (written and performed by ATL’s 
DEATH PERCEPTION
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