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Explore the Unconventional in ‘It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This’
In the world of horror, few subgenres hold the eerie allure of found footage. Emerging from the shadows of mainstream studios, It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This, directed by Nick Toti and Rachel Kempf, brings authenticity back to a genre often plagued by high production values and polished aesthetics. This film, screening at the Brattle Theatre as part of their Found Footage Freakout series, offers audiences a chilling experience melded with real-life inspirations.
The film stars Toti and Kempf as exaggerated versions of themselves, low-budget filmmakers navigating eerie supernatural occurrences in a derelict duplex they purchased. Drawing from their own experiences, these characters embody a chaotic blend of real life and fiction, blurring boundaries that make it feel all the more unsettling. Toti candidly reveals how their decision to film in an actual rundown duplex—one pregnant with unsettling history—adds depth to the narrative. The walls adorned with unsettling remnants of its past become more than just a backdrop; they play a character in their tale.
Why Authenticity Matters in Horror
Found footage often relies on realness to unsettle the audience, and Toti and Kempf's approach does just that. By capturing bite-sized glimpses of their lives while filming, they create an immersive storytelling experience that feels genuine, unlike the mainstream productions that have strayed far from the raw roots of this style. This authenticity sets ‘It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This’ apart; it pulls viewers into a world that feels eerily close to reality, sparking a connection that mere special effects or scripted horror cannot achieve.
Experiencing Community Through Horror
Unlike digital releases, this film is not meant for solitary viewing. The touring format fosters communal engagement, allowing audiences to share in collective fear and thrill, reminiscent of classic horror movie nights. Toti emphasizes the necessity of viewing it with an audience, hinting that part of the horror is amplified when shared, making people confront what scares them around others.
Concluding Thoughts: Embracing Low-Budget Innovation
In a cinematic landscape flooded with predictable plots and digital over-saturation, ‘It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This’ marks a bold pivot back to the basics of storytelling through found footage. Audiences in Boston can look forward to experiencing a horror film that not only entertains but also challenges notions of what it means to create from a place of authenticity.
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