Chilean Gothic

[Foxbat]

Region 1 DVD
Directed by Ricardo Harrington
Starring Rodrigo Sepulveda, Luis Alarcon
Spanish with English subtitles.

Gabriel Martinez is troubled by the mutilation and death of a fellow investigative journalist, Anibal Neira, and suspects a link between the demise of his friend and the case he was working on – that of the reclusive artist Robert Upton Pickman. Martinez embarks on a journey that brings him to meet art professor Bruno Mattotti. Mattotti, a friend of Pickman’s relays the details of change in this promising artist’s style of painting – describing the horrific distortions of the human shape that now fills Upton’s canvasses. They caused such a scandal in art circles that the painter was forced into hiding to continue his work. Martinez begins to follow the trail that will not only lead to him Upton but deep into the heart of his own terror…..

A Chilean movie shot (I believe) in 16mm which, as the Lovecraftophiles among us will have already guessed is based on Lovecraft’s Pickman’s Model. Does it do the story justice? I think so. Physically, the movie has its flaws. The film itself has many scratches and is very grainy in some areas. The framing of scenes however, is good (especially in the sewers) and at least indicates that there is very a competent director at the helm. Acting is excellent and does not fall into that all-too-easy trap of overacting (which seems to be a real problem within many examples of the horror genre). All in all, a fine addition to the Lovecraftian cinematic scene.

It should be noted that this movie is part of the H.P. Lovecraft Collection Volume 4. Along with Chilean Gothic, you get four other shorts and a couple of interviews. For around $20 that’s pretty good value.

In conclusion, a big thumbs up and well done once again to Lurker Films for giving us access to these movies

[j. d. worthington]

Thanks, Foxbat. I've been waffling on this one -- not because I didn't want to go for it, but because of my current finances -- so it's nice to hear feedback to help decide. I've quite liked the other volumes in the collection; while some of the shorts, especially, are not of the best cinematically, they all have that feel of love of the material, and they all have their own interesting take on things, which in turn plays into my rereading with the stories, adding new ways to look at them as well. Not to mention the interviews with Joshi and such... speaking of which: is there more with Joshi on this one?

[Foxbat]

Just for the record, the interviews are with Robert Price and Ramsey Campbell. Also, there is a very informative eight page booklet with the DVD.

I probably should also have mentioned the running time of Chilean Gothic is 40 minutes (or thereabouts). Other short films on the disc are and Italian take on Pickman's Model and a Texan version of the same, Between The Stars and In The Vault.

Hope this helps you decide on whether you wish to purchase or not

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Hope this helps you decide on whether you wish to purchase or not

Thanks. It definitely helps. Though it's not a matter of wishing to purchase... just when I can afford to.