The Secrets of Nefertiti's Bust
In 1981, when Fat Frankie dream of being Belfast's future underground film entrepreneur turns in to a living nightmare for everyone, both sides of a fractured community must come together to save themselves from...Killer VCRs
From Apples and Oranges Studios comes the horror comedy, Killer VCRs,
a film set in Northern Ireland in the early 1980s, with a backdrop of politi-
cal terror the dreams of a young man, and his community, are put on
pause by the home invasion of
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the changing landscape of entertainment with the backdrop of the gritty |
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world of Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles. |
his own community who dreams of a future as a Belfast undergrou
With death and mayhem already on every corner of the community, it is now in their homes. As the VCR machines commandeer the disused DeLo- rean factory to manufacture futuristic killing machines, everyone on both sides of a fractured community must come together to save themselves.
This film is a proud entrant to the prolific but niche horror subgenre: the “inanimate objects come to life and kill people” genre.
This is VideoDrome meets Gremlins
Watch the Trailer
This film is directed at 3 audience segments.
The Socially Aware – There are community minded and socially active people in this group. They have a strong sense of social responsibility. Always looking for some- thing new and different, they seek out information and knowledge and tend to be early adopters and influencers. The historical and political themes of this film will appeal to this group as a mirror for contemporary social themes of dealing with di- vided opinions, community values and a greater harmonious social outcome.
Young Optimists: This group is associated with optimism, ambition and idealism. The people in this group want to experience life – travel, career, friends, family, sport and social activity – and believe they can have it all. These are usually stu- dents and young professionals, they are innovative and interested in technology. The themes of the kitsch, retro lifestyle of the 1980s, the main protagonists journey for self-actualisation, and the comedic approach to the horror and political genres will appeal to this segment
Looking for a Fairer Deal: People in this segment, which is usually associated with unskilled and semi-skilled workers, are more likely than others to experience unemployment and financial insecurity and subsequent family pressures.
This can create a feeling that they are getting ‘a raw deal’ out of life. The film themes of small town struggles, poverty, ‘beating the system’, and rising up against the odds will appeal to this group.
Specialist group of Over 50s in the UK: For those that experienced the times that are portrayed in Killer VCRs, there is also a more direct connection and reflection. These people are best described in an age category. “The greatest change has been in the 50 years and over group, which comprises 33 per cent of cinema-goers and 42 per cent of the population, up 9 and10 percentage points respectively since 1997”.(Screen Australia, 2021). The actual depiction of the social and political back- drop in Killer VCRs will have a familiar and personal connection.
Movie
Details
Characters
Fat Frankie
Savage Mick
Helen McGuinness
Marylou Duncan
Paul Atkins
Sham O
Websites
We also tap into the horror cohorts and the black comedy fans. It showcases the unique sense of humour that we have about a troubled period of our history that in hindsight can be viewed without the battlelines that we drawn so deeply, just 40 years ago.
There are many people out there that can relate to the political and social challeng- es of their past and view them now through the lens of humour, and, well, horror. The film features a recreation of Belfast in the 1980s, particularly the historical De- Lorean factory, with AI-upscaled footage from newsreels, and the contrast of the neon optimism of the protagonist against the grey background of the city and the times.
The film is comprised entirely of debutant and local actors who explore the past that their parents, and grandparents lived.
