‘Babadook’ and ‘The Good Samaritan’ kickoff the After Dark Series
Photo by Katherine Rountree
The Lucas Theater kicked off the After Dark Series of the Savannah Film Fest last night with the film “Babadook.” The After Dark Series consists of horror films and shorts. Last night’s screening included the short film the “Good Samaritan.”
The ten-minute short was inspired by the story of Kitty Genovese, a woman stabbed to death in Brooklyn while neighbors and passersby allegedly ignored her murder. While based loosely on that idea of ignoring those in need of help, the film focused on one of the passersby who chose to film the murder and is then left in crippling fear as others involved mysteriously die.
The Good Samaritan was followed by a Q&A panel with director Jeffery Reddick, the executive producer of “Final Destination 2.” Reddick spoke about thinking creatively and “always trying to find new ways to kill people” in his films. His advice to students trying to break into the film industry was to really “stick with it and be open to collaboration.” He also spoke about some of his creative choices in the film using tools such as a drone for some shots and leaving the ending opening to some interpretation by the viewers.
Following the Q&A panel, the After Dark Series officially began with the showing of the “Babadook,” a horror movie directed by Jennifer Hunt. The film centered around a mother and son who live together after the father died in a car accident. The son, Samuel, becomes engrossed in monsters and protecting his mother from their presence. This insistent worry drives family away from them and eventually gets Sam removed from school. Though ending on a contented note, the film left viewers with just the right amount of unease for a horror film. The After Dark Series will continue through the remainder of the Film Fest and can be found on the schedule of events.
