Echo Chamber - Fantasia 23 - Day 6 (Hellmark)
The Festival is drawing to a close, but we still have plenty left in the bank for the 27th Fantasia International Film Festival (20th July - 9th August 2023) coverage on @EchoChamberFP for you!
We're back with the Shorts, as today we look at a parody of a US, maybe global institution. THEN, the creative spark behind it joins us. Which is a first too, as her background is in lighting, and we haven't delved into that aspect of the film industry so far. We have an expansive chat about the film, lighting techniques, genres, casting selection, and more!!!
'Hellmark' is written & directed by Jessica Lauren Doucet. Despite what Hallmark tells you, throwing your life away for the love of a stranger doesn't always result in a happy ending. Madeline (Tanya Jade) learns this the hard way when her romance ends in horror. Abducted by a crowd of happy cultists and put to work in a Christmas village factory, she's forced to confront the artificiality of her narrative and face the terrifying question of: "what now?"
Watch the conversation HERE!
Today we have:
Hellmark - Poster
Hellmark
Watch Review: Here.
Crazy8s Gala: 15th April 2023
Fantasia International Film Festival
Saturday, 29th July 2023 at 22:00pm, World Premiere
Salle J.A. De Sève
Director: Jessica Lauren Doucet
Cast: Tanya Jade, Giles Panton, MJ Miller, Jennifer Oleksiuk, Tanis Dolman, Kamantha Naidoo, Filip Zivanovic, Billie Baird, Sarah Reech
Credit: Crazy8s Film Society, Overhead Projector
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Short
Running Time: 12 min
Cert: 12a
Website: Here.
Instagram: @hellmarkfilm
Watch the conversation HERE!
Jessica 'Jessie' Lauren Doucet
Jessica 'Jessie' Lauren Doucet
Camera and Electrical Department, Actress, Director, Writer
Jessica Lauren Doucet (she/her) is an emerging filmmaker currently based out of Vancouver, who spent her formative years moving between the US, Canada, and Europe. To her, storytelling has always been an anchor in a sea of uncertainty. Jessica seeks to bring heartfelt character pieces to the screen through fantastical situations rooted in sociopolitical themes. She began her career in front of the camera, before transitioning to behind to work as a lighting technician. She has worked on films such as Mother!, The Exchange and On the Count of Three, and on TV shows such as A Million Little Things and Firefly Lane. All throughout, she has spent her spare time writing and directing her own projects. Most recently in July of 2023, her satirical short film 'Hellmark' was selected to premiere at Fantasia Film Festival.
Follow Jessie via:
IMDb: Here.
Linkedin: Here.
Facebook: Here.
Instagram: @jess.l.p.d
27th Fantasia International Film Festival
Echo Chamber Intro: Here.
Since its beginnings, the Fantasia International Film Festival has explored the diverse realms of genre cinema, creating bridges between the cutting edge and the mainstream, and providing a festive but professional environment where emerging artists are given exposure alongside their more established counterparts, both locally and internationally. We showcase the best in Canadian and world cinema, discovering and nurturing exciting new talents and offering a platform through which artists and audiences can connect.
Information
Festival Information: Here.
Film Programme: Here.
Short Film Programme: Here.
Tickets & Venue Info: Here.
Panel + Special Events: Here.
Website: Here.
Twitter: @FantasiaFest
Facebook: Here.
Instagram: @fantasiafestival
Vimeo: Here.
*(Music)
'Fantastic Voyage' by Coolio - 1994