Jo Huang-Zollner | 10.13.2014
Welcome to our 2014 Festival Staff Picks column! We’ll be posting some first looks at Festival Films to look out for on the 2014 Film Schedule. Check back to the AFF blog for new Staff Picks each week!
Everything about Black Mountain Side harkens back to my favorite childhood movie-The Thing. From the long, silent opening shot of the Canadian winter wilderness, to the band of isolated but fun-loving archeologists that slowly descends, throughout the film, into bewilderment, chaos and annihilation. Throw in a dash of mythical folklore, a sprinkle of science-fiction, a generous amount of delicious carnage, and you got yourself a beautifully shot psychological thriller that will send shivers up your spine and urge you to think twice about going on that solo walkabout trip up in Alaska.
Black Mountain Side is a slow burner that takes its time heating up. It’s one of those movies you want to go back and re-watch again and again because you think there might be something you missed, or an element that went over your head, despite knowing the ultimate outcome.
I would certainly recommend adding Black Mountain Side to your must-watch list if you’re looking for a film with beautiful cinematography, amazing performances from an eclectic group of characters, and some good-old-fashioned blood-spewing; think The Thing meets The Shining. Perfect date-night movie, wouldn’t you say?
-Jo Huang-Zollner, Production Manager
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