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
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The film was the 2016 official selection of the LA Film Festival, Fantasia, Sitges and numerous other festivals. The film stars Jessica Lowndes, Joe Anderson, Lin Shaye, Dayton Callie and was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman.
Darren Lynn Bousman, director of several of the Saw franchise sequels, and one of my all-time favorite films REPO! The Genetic Opera, brings to life a peculiar story and a visual maze. The look of Abbatoir is something to behold and one that evolves as the story rolls along. It’s a thriller, horror, and first person video game all wrapped into one lovely and bizarre package. The costumes are intentional throw backs that give further validity to a tale that criss crosses generations. Lin Shaye, who has what I like the call the “Timelord effect” (similar to another horror legend Barbara Crampton,) a timeless quality to her presence and ability to inhabit any character she tackles effoertlessly. Jessica Lowndes is reteaming with Bousman after appearing in The Devil’s Carnival. Her classic movie star looks only enhance her believeable performance as a headstrong and heartfelt woman determined to uncover the mystery behind who or what is buying homes where violent tragedy occurs and rips out the murder room. The answers are extraordinarily twisted. The films runs about 1hr40mins but feels very much likethe graphic novel it was based upon. This could have easily been made into a mini series. Abattoir is intriguing from the very first shot and will keep your brain engaged with plot and stunning sets throughout. Momentum Pictures is releasing Abattoir today in Theaters, VOD and Digital HD, December 9th
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