leatherface
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) is my favorite horror film of all time. It was one of the only films outlawed by Dad when growing up. I remember seeing it for the first time at a sleepover my friends house. I was entranced by the raw execution and it's documentary like feel. Needless to say I became an instant fan. The film is a foundation for backwoods BBQ horror and is just as pertinent today as the day it was released in 1974. I'm always very excited when a new entry comes out.Although, the quality of the franchise is all over the place. Each of the entries including even New Beginning hold a special place in my horror heart. So even after the slight Disappointment that Texas Chainsaw 3D was. I was still excited to find out they were working on a sequel. And when I first heard the filmmakers of the brilliant French horror film Inside were taking the reigns. The possibilities were endless to me and the excitement overbearing.
Of course I reeled in my expectations. I mean let's face it, most films are more than a bit disappointing nowadays. Also, most of the time when foreign genre directors make their domestic debut, the results are underwhelming (Ring 2, Grudge, Messengers, Eye, etc.). There is of course, that rare exception, when it all comes together. And from what I've heard so far, it seems that it has. Premiering a few weeks ago at a London's Frightfest, the film received stellar reviews with critics saying "it's the best entry since the first". A bold statement no doubt, but if anyone could pull it off, these guys could. Everything in their portfolios pegs them for being a great choice to takeover the franchise. From their stylish execution to their slow build up of classic suspense, creative storylines and grotesque payoffs.
Julian Maury and Alexandre Bustillo
Julian Maury and Alexandre Bustillo met each other through a mutual friend and began working on their first movie Inside. Centering on a pregnant woman who is attacked by an assailant who wants to cut out her baby. There is of course a bit more to it but I won't spoil. I will however say that if you haven't seen this, you're missing out. It's ultraviolent and exquisitely stylish with some of the most surprising, gut wrenching scenes ever put on film. Inside was controversial upon release but was well received by critics and fans. It still stands as one of my favorite films and a sparkling example of what the genre can be. Check out the trailer below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibP9PUdEmwk
Following that success, the cinematic floodgates opened up to them. They were attached to Halloween 2 (Which Rob Zombie would go on to direct) and a remake of Hellraiser. In both cases they left the projects over creative differences. Ultimately they followed up with a movie entitled Livid. Centering on a group of teens who break into a mansion of an old, sick woman and discover that it's inhabited by creatures who feed on blood. Although visually entrancing it lacked the punch of their first feature. The film wasn't received as enthusiastically as they struggled to maintain creative control throughout and ultimately felt unsatisfied with the finished project.
Their next move was a smaller production Among the Living. That film centers on a group of young kids skipping school who come across a large man in a clown mask dragging a bloodied woman from a car. This is the film that really starts to show that these filmmakers have the goods for Leatherface. The film exposes their grittier side, has a deeper storyline and sheds new light on what they are capable of. Although it's a French Horror film it does have a sort of distinct "American" feel. Taut and edge of your seat Among the Living never reaches the heights of their first feature but is nightmarish and confident.
After the film's successful debut they were hired to helm the Leatherface prequel. Upon reading the script, the duo admired the fresh take on the franchise as it veered from the expected formula. The producers were impressed as well saying "They had a perfect vision for the film". Armed with a studio size budget and more resources than they could hope for they began.
Leatherface
Instead of following standard slasher movie tropes Leatherface works more as a horrific road movie. Blending the western and horror genres. It centers around a nurse being kidnapped and tortured by a group of escaped mental patients. All the while they are hunted by a vengeful sheriff and his posse because they are responsible for killing his daughter. Eventually they come upon the sadistic family and we ultimately see the creation of our iconic killer. The film stars Stephen Dorff (Blade), Finn Jones (Game of Thrones), Sam Strike (EastEnders) and Lily Taylor (The Conjuring).
Shot in Bulgaria over a very compact twenty seven days. The film was originally supposed to be released in October of 2016. The film was however delayed because of release strategies and date issues. Finally it is currently debuting on Direct TV platforms on September 21st with a limited theatrical and VOD release October 20th. Sadly, this is the first film in the franchise to not receive a wider berth. Check out the awesome red band trailer below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbhOWHvrnto
Future
Following Leatherface the two are set to direct a segment for the French Horror anthology Paris, I'll kill you. and than who knows what else, the sky is the limit for these talented modern day masters of the genre. I'd personally like to see them take a crack at a Purge sequel.
Leatherface stands to be a very exciting venture. It's an impressive sign that they took two brilliant French film makers and put them at the helm of a traditionally "American" for lack of a better term slasher franchise. It's no doubt that the film will be divisive amongst fans as they always are. But whether it's bad (Which I don't think it will be) or amazing, it will certainly be something fresh and interesting. Something the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise and well let's face it almost every horror pic coming out nowadays desperately needs.
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