Hey guys and living dead dolls! So JoBlo (aka Berge Garabedian who is an executive producer on the film) and I are back from THE SHELTER world premiere at FILM4 FRIGHTFEST in London England. I’m a bit sick, jet lagged and I probably gained 5 pounds by way of all them pints of Trooper Ale I guzzled (back in the Gym tomorrow), but I am happy! The screening went well from my POV. Granted not everybody will like what you create, especially when it’s something that is in some ways "non-traditional" like The Shelter, and that is fine.
On that, I found it very rewarding to hear from the people who did esteem it, those who were moved by it and got something out of it. That has been my favorite part of this process thus far. Moreover, the reviews that came out of the Fest (read them below) were positive for the most part. I’m anticipating more reviews/interviews to surface in the following week. Next steps? We have another Festival showing to announce soon and of course we are actively trying to find the movie a home distribution wise with our SALES AGENT DC MEDIAS.
In closing, I want to say a big thank you to the Film4 Frightfest team (Alan Jones, Greg Day, Ian Rattray, Paul McEvoy) for having us and the film. We had lots of fun and I was happy to learn first hand WHY Frightfest is considered to be one of the best genre Film Festivals in the world! And of course a huge thank you to the people who showed up at the screening! Now on to the reviews!
SCIFINOW: "The Shelter swirls Christianity and Silent Hill-levels of guilt to torment its protagonist, and Fallon’s strong visual style combines with a very strong turn from Pare to good effect. There’s a confidence to Fallon’s choices too, as he gives us a not particularly likeable protagonist and maintains a sombre tone throughout this emotionally raw journey.” – READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE
STARBURST MAGAZINE: “For all its anger and impressive visuals, The Shelter is a meditative piece about moving from confusion to the acceptance of something perhaps cannot be fully understood. Fallon’s piece is piercing as a disconcerting family dreamscape.” – READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE
MOVIERAMBLINGS.COM: “Director John Fallon keeps the audience on their toes, as well as off balance, with a series of scenes that practically force the viewer to pay attention. From what appears a simple opening the film opens up into musings on life, love, loss, suffering and redemption.” – READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE
THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS: “The Shelter is the directorial debut of John Fallon who, up until now, has had a steady career as an actor and writer. His first venture running things highlights a lot of visual flair and a head full of ideas. A tale of one man’s existential plight, the horrors within The Shelter aren’t your usual jump scares or buckets of blood. Imagine being trapped, watching a movie of all your greatest mistakes with no way to turn it off, that’s way more horrifying than anything Carpenter could dream up. ” – READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE
NERDLY: “The Shelter is at its core a one-man production, with Michael Paré carrying the film entirely on his shoulders and often without saying so much as a word – often backed only by atmospheric visuals and a strong, sullen, score. And Paré revels in it, easily giving his best performance since the actors early 80s heyday.” -READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE
BRITFLICKS: “It’s an uncomfortable watch as real become unreal! THE SHELTER broods on the edges of hope, but like all falls from grace, rock bottom is as high as Thomas will ever get and this story rubs him into the dirt like a discarded cigarette.” – READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE
AINT IT COOL NEWS: " Writer/director John Fallon conveys this theme of loss and regret clearly and expertly. Sure, that makes for the exact opposite of the feel good movie of the year, but it does make for a pretty fantastic character study of a man who has crumbled to almost nothing.Pare really gives it his all here, plunging to emotional depths I never thought he was able to do and doing them with a real sense of soul. – READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE!
FOR THE SHELTER DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES, E-MAIL OUR SALES AGENT HERE!
