Set: Bryan Loves You
Mar. 20, 2007
Directed By: Seth Landau
Starring: Tony Todd, Geroge Wendt, Tiffany Shepis, Lloyd Kaufamn, Brinke
Stevens
Original Music By: Dan Newman
A long time ago in a sleepy little town in Arizona, a group of religious fanatics began to take over. If you were not part of them, you were an enemy and the only thing you needed to remember is that Bryan Loves You. Well, this might be an exaggeration, or it might be bits and pieces of writer/director/actor Seth Landau's past. In the new independent film BRYAN LOVES YOU, we get to see the hidden side of a nasty little cult that is intent on brainwashing all the non-believers. We witness the "lost government footage" of what happens to a young doctor (played by Landau) who is caught up in the darkness.
We are also treated to some fantastic cameo's by such genre vets as George Wendt, Tiffany Shepis, Tony Todd and more. Well, Arrow in the Head recently had the honor of getting a sneak peak at what looks to be a creepy little thriller in the vein of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT with a twist. There is something very sinister in the images that I saw through the visage of your basic video camera and surveillance monitors. What Seth Landau has created may be the flick to make you wonder, "Am I being watched?" or at the very least, it might make you question the intent of strangers.
Before sitting down to talk with Seth and sound editor Dan Newman who are putting some finishing touches on the film, I got to witness what a carefully placed surveillance camera can do. When Jonathon, a psychologist has a few words with paranoid Mr. Flynn, played by George Wendt, we are witness to the voices inside his head (or was that just me) and a doll that speaks only to Mr. Wendt. For those of you who only remember him from CHEERS then you are in for a great surprise.
He has recently taken on an active role in several genre related flicks including KING OF THE ANTS and an episode of MASTERS OF HORROR. Here, he plays a man who suspects he is being watched and seems to only trust his miniature doll friends. His manic performance is quite believable and suitably chilling. Also very believable is Seth himself. It is a hard thing for a director to direct himself, and I'm pleased to say that he proves to be very capable as a leading man while still keeping production in his controlled hands. More on this guy later…
In
another atmospheric moment we see the good doctor taken in by the local
hospital as a patient. He is thrown into group therapy with one of those in
charge of the group being the lovely Tiffany Shepis who also is playing
against type. This scene was nicely staged with very well placed
“surveillance” cameras capturing the action. The amateurish (on purpose)
tone carries the atmosphere of the movie well, even if as an audience we
know that this is a movie.
Maybe, just maybe, those not in the know will be
slightly more creeped out by what happened to this poor doctor. There is
also a sense of ONE FLEW OVER THE COOKOOS NEST with the hospital and
Jonathon’s roommate played by Jilon Ghai who is desperate to escape, so
desperate; he tries to kick the door down, only to be taken down by the
hospital staff making it clear that you need to show the love to Bryan. The
atmosphere here is partly because it is a low budget film, yet Mr. Landau
and crew use the space and camera wisely, not falling into the many of the
“indie” clichés.
I also got to witness a very eerie moment in the midst of the stranger in a strange land motif. When a young lady trying to help the doctor is caught and taken in for questioning. There is a moment when an innocent girl, one of Bryan’s followers shows worry for the poor girl, she is soon changed into a beastly little thing when she finds the captive doesn’t believe in Bryan. When she whispers softly ‘Bryan loves you.’ it sends chills. Add to that the damn creepy mask the worshipers wear, a white face with black shadows painted in. Tell me you wouldn’t be freaked out walking into a classroom or church with people wearing this mask.
Aside
from the goose bumps, much of what I saw in the film feels like a definite
statement on our society. The fear of the unknown and the anger over others
personal beliefs have created a sometimes very bleak and scary world. This
is something I think most of us have witnessed and Seth creates this world
throughout his own experiences, growing up in Arizona as an outcast. He
understands the world of fear which this creates and he also happens to be a
very talented filmmaker.
I was lucky enough to not only glimpse pieces of
BRYAN LOVES YOU, but I also got to take a gander at another one of his films
called TAKE OUT, which is definitely worth a look. Damn good stuff folks.
As an audience, you mush demand a chance to see his work because truth be
told, the boy is talented. He has a good eye, and understands the value of
surrounding himself with folks who have an inkling of how to make a movie.
Hanging out with Seth and Dan was a great experience and it confirmed what I
love about independent film. There is so much to be discovered with story
and characterization because a small budget will sometimes offer you little
else. Aside from that, there is mucho heart in this kind of production, few
have high hopes of huge box office numbers or action figures to sell to
kids. They want to have a shared experience of making a film that may touch
people, or in Bryan’s case, spook people with just a hint of message.
And a
big ole’ thank you goes out to the fellows involved in opening the doors to
Arrow in the Head, including Seth, Dan and Jeff Buckner (the publicist for
the film) who sadly I did not get to meet in person. So with all this, you
may be wondering… who is Bryan? I think I should wait to let the film speak
for itself… just be aware, Bryan loves you too. And if audiences are lucky,
we’ll find out this coming Halloween.
Let me know what you think. Send questions and comments to jimmyo@joblo.com
