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S3E43. Fantastic Fest 2024 #3: WRECKED A BUNCH OF CARS, HAD A GOOD TIME (2024) dir. James P. Gannon & Matt Ferrin
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Fantastic Fest hosts a wealth of shorts, celebrating the eclectic mix of filmmakers who make them. That being said, there was no way in hell I could cover this year's fest and not watch any, so today's episode gets into demolition derby mayhem: WRECKED A BUNCH OF CARS, HAD A GOOD TIME.
Directors James P. Gannon & Matt Ferrin are currently working on a feature: HANDPAN, about a demolition derby driver stranded in the desert with only a case of beer for survival. Aspiring to shoot some test footage, their producer landed the duo and their crew an opportunity to cover the Durham Fair's demolition derby in Durham, Connecticut. What results is a dive into a world of junkers, clashing steel, DIY spray paint jobs and a gleefully reckless abandon of self-preservation.
Shot with Super 8 and 16mm film cameras, the movie boasts all the grain and glory of the medium, including the happy accidents that come with using expired film. (This shit ain't cheap. Use what you have.) Whether it's the deep shadows or rich color, the movie looks gorgeous, almost as though we've time-warped into the '70s. Gannon & Ferrin play around with editing tricks of the period too; it's a nice touch.
This isn't a complex feature. It essentially just plays out the event from beginning to end, but where it succeeds is in translating the anticipation, the giddiness, the pulse-pumping energy of a demolition derby through its pacing, handheld camera work and editing. This short's officially placed Durham, CT on my map & as this year's demolition derby rages on THE WEEK I POST THIS REVIEW, I wish all drivers (but especially Andrew cause he's my favorite) the best of luck.
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Credit Song: "The Prettiest Girl in Memphis"- Cory Branan
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