Back in person! Finally! Which means that I had to go check this out. I had never been, but have interviewed the fest’s leader Edda Manriquez for Women in Horror Month, so the fest had been on my radar for a long while.
This year, the weather was good, the drive up to Santa Monica was simple, not too much traffic, parking was a nightmare but that was to be expected. I made it to the fest just in time and was greeted with a Special Guest badge, a gift bag, and some lovely masked-up smiles. This event was a go and one of the rare few I get to attend this year. So, what was it like? Well, it was a collection of films with feminist themes and about the female condition, one that is highly inclusive and leaves its themes open to interpretation from the filmmakers. There was a feature film and a bunch of short and medium length films which is something not many fests go for. The selection was really interesting and here are the highlights of the event:
Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers (1972)
This newly restored version of this lost film was an experience and half to see on the big screen. The story follows a young woman from Kansas who heads to New York City to become a star. She has no training, no knowledge, not many connections, but she has a goal. Along the way, she meets all kinds of characters that can only make sense in this film. This film is kind of like what would happen if you put Andy Warhol, John Waters, Betsy Johnson, and a touch of twisted Passe-Partout (I know a very limited reference). The film is nuts, the characters are all insane or on drugs, and everything put to screen would make other filmmakers wonder about their sanity, but here, it works. Well, mostly. The story itself is decent, the ideas thrown there on the screen accumulate at the speed of light, and while it’s all entertaining enough, it kind of feels a bit long or like something is missing. It is however very much a product of its time and a must-see, especially for those who are into bizarro and want to see what was done before things went even more off the rails in the 1980s. This is a historically interesting piece of cinema that seemed to have been lost for years and was finally restored. It does not have a release planned yet, but who knows, perhaps Vinegar Syndrome could pick it up.
Woman from Mars (2020)
A medium-length documentary about filmmaker Dylan Mars Greenberg who is mostly self-taught and absolutely willing to do what it takes for the sake of art. The interviews here are in depth with a lot of time spent with Greenberg and with a few horror staples types like Lloyd Kaufman and Debbie Rochon. The film shows life as a filmmaker on the edge, someone with creativity just bursting out of everywhere, but perhaps not the budget to match the intentions, which never stops her. The film here is on the lower end of budgets, but much like Greenberg, it doesn’t let that stop it. The film in an interesting insight on an artist, an industry, and a way of life really.
Yes, Mother (2021)
In this short directed by Misha Calvert, two sister-wives living alone in the middle of nowhere receive cryptic messages from the husband/cult leader. They do their best to apply these messages to their lives and live as well as they can within his teachings. One day, one message sends them off in a brand-new direction. This one is fantastic, like run and see it if it’s playing anywhere near you. The sets, the costumes, the acting, the writing, the direction, this one if the full package. It’s funny, it’s a bit offensive (to some), and it just works so well. It’s a home run all around.
Buffalo and Trout (2019)
Two girls who have been friends forever love getting high and into adventures, mischief, and bad ideas. This short film is simply put stunning! There are images in here that are so incredibly eye-catching and beautiful. The story behind them is one of friendship and support, but also of drugs and their effects. The film is done in such a way that it pulls the viewer in from the very start and doesn’t let them go until the end credits end. The writing, directing, acting, and cinematography as incredibly on point, making this one the highlight of highlights from the fest. Written and directed by Presley Paras, starring Brooke Coleman and Carlye Tamaren, this one is a “run don’t walk” type of short. They are currently gathering funds to make it into a feature film, which will hopefully be as stunning as this short is.
Les Femmes Underground’s next event will be virtual, so keep an eye on www.lesfemmesunderground.org to keep up with what is coming and join in on the fun.