INDIE REPORT – CROSSLAND

INDIE REPORT – CROSSLAND

Crossland

Review by Justin Bowler

Indie films tend to fall into one category: Indie Films. “Crossland” is the well-earned exception. Not just an indie film, but a FOREIGN-HORROR-INDIE film.

Synopsis: A young jogger named Jason is out doing what he loves, running cross-country. Unknown to him, the runner trespasses into a private property, and is soon lured into a self-sense of security. What seemed like a routine run in the countryside, turns into a heart-pounding nightmare. Fear will run its course. Will Jason ever escape to tell the story?

Yes, that is exactly what IMDB lists as the film’s summary (to be 100% honest, I’m not sure what some of that means, and I’ve SEEN the movie). In addition, it credits:

Directors: Mumtaz Yildirimlar, Mumtaz Yildirimlar
Writers: Mumtaz Yildirimlar, Muntaz Yildirimlar

So, he must have put in a lot of work (twice as much as anyone else).

Actually, a lot of indies suffer from these simple problems (indie filmmakers know how to make films, they don’t necessarily know how to market them). Now that I’m finished with the ribbing, on to the positive side of things…

Indie audiences tend to get one type of film: indie films. It’s nice to know that it doesn’t have to be that way. What I liked most about this film was the lack of category it fits into. Yes, it is a horror film, but not the slash or gore type (there is actually very little blood on screen; rather, it is about suspense and intrigue). Yes, it is a foreign film. Set in the backwoods of England, there isn’t an American accent to be found. Fun and surprising (the only downside to this is that the British style of acting is slightly different from the Hollywood style we are used to). Joanna Bool is the female lead and clear standout of the cast (hopefully, she will be crossing the pond to join Hollywood sometime soon). And yes, it is an indie film, that is untethered by the rules and boundaries of the conventional Hollywood machine. For example. the DVD box advertises “Crossland… Terror Knows No Boundaries”, yet IMDB advertises “Crossland… Fear Will Run Its Course.”

All films, no matter the genre, should be a series of moving pictures that illustrate a story. While that seems obvious, many films (indies and otherwise) vomit exposition and tell the audience the story rather than show the audience the story. Fortunately, with very little dialogue, the first thirty minutes of “Crossland” builds a complete and intriguing story in the vein of Sam Raimi and Alfred Hitchcock. Directors Mumtaz Yildirimlar and Muntaz Yildirimlar definitely take their time building tension. Furthermore, writers Mumtaz Yildirimlar and Mumtaz Yildirimlar have crafted an unusual plot. It is clever with its twists (but it takes a bit of time to get there). That being said, the twists are worth it. It is well shot (especially for an indie), and uses its simple environment very well. This next part is a compliment…producers Mumtaz Yildirimlar and Mumtaz Yildirimlar did such a good job, that this fun indie with no budget could be misconstrued as a bad movie with a lot of money (in truth, I wondered if the third act was an artistic choice or a lack of funds).

Either way, I can see this being a dorm room cult classic. Writers/directors/producers Mumtaz Yildirimlar definitely have a Hollywood career ahead of them, not just in the Foreign Horror Indie genre, but also in the foreign genre, the horror genre, and the indie genre (that is, IF they continue to work together). Together,
they have created a very fun film and I hope more filmmakers attempt what they have achieved.

3 out of 4 stars for foreign film fans.
2.5 out of 4 stars for horror film fans.
3 out of 4 stars for indie film fans.

Widen your horizons, especially if you are a filmmaker, and find this film. BOOM!

Your Indie Film Reviewer,
Justin T. Bowler
@JustinTBowler

“Crossland” is availabe on iTunes.