Reminiscent of minimalist horror films from the late ’70s and early ’80s, “A Beautiful Day” is the latest project from local film troupe Outsiders Productions. Written and directed by McLoud resident Adam Hampton, the short film will be screened in the eighth annual DeadCenter film festival in June.
“A Beautiful Day” is an edgy, surreal horror short that follows three missionaries of sorts as they warn the residents of a small town to the swiftly approaching “end.” Though they carry no scriptures and offer no tracts, the three travelers warn ambivalent locals of God’s wrath and the need for salvation. As they snake their way through town, the trio’s motives become increasingly vague. Their standard door-to-door approach thinly veils a subdued hostility and violence. The tension mounts until their jaunt ends in a deadly climax of bloodshed and terror.
The film succeeds as a horror film because of the technical competency of writer/director Hampton and Jason Alexander’s unsettling cinematography. Using stark, minimalist methods, Hampton employs a concise framing that envelops the entire production in dread. From his opening shot — a paranoid driver and his passenger speed along a country road as three strangers draw near — to his mirror-image closing, Hampton shoots purely out of necessity. Every shot is relevant, and the concise editing complements the fluff-free directing. The story could easily be expanded into a feature-length film that hearkens to Sam Raimi’s early late-night offerings or Stephen King’s rural horror stories.
The black-and-white cinematography and omission of “time and place” details fit the production well. These tactics are integral in keeping the film from feeling dated. This tale could be occurring in any town, any year, to anybody.
Operating under Hampton’s direction, a crew of local actors suffice in activating the short narrative. The acting as a whole is spotty, but more than sufficient for the low-budget horror at hand. A good deal of the discourse falls flat; the script is often wordier than necessary for the bleak mood. However, it retains its competency because of the austere close-ups that permeate the conversations — the frame of mind trumps the frame of speech. A series of effective sound effects distort and warp key lines, and the outcome adds to the creepy ambiance.
With the few minor drawbacks taken into account, “A Beautiful Day” is still an efficient tale of rural dread and dismay. Hampton and company definitely have the capability and experience required to create an effective short film, and their next picture can’t come too soon.
“A Beautiful Day” is set to premiere Friday, June 13 (how fitting!), at the IAO Gallery in downtown Oklahoma City. The film will be entered into the “Horror Short” category of DeadCenter’s festival.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
