by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What is the most polarizing genre of film? Obviously, this is all subjective, but people sure have some strong feelings about found footage horror films. It was not the first of the genre, but The Blair Witch Project sure made a giant splash in the late ‘90s. This is the film that convinced many in the audience that these people went missing. Next to Cannibal Holocaust, this might have been the most controversial horror flick. I have some strong feelings about The Blair Witch Project,but that is not the film I am reviewing today (though I might still share some of those feelings anyway). But there is a new documentary, The Found Footage Phenomenon, coming your way from Shudder that was made for all the found footage fans out there.
What makes The Found Footage Phenomenon a documentary worth checking out? If you’re a fan of this genre, this will be a wonderful treat for you. Even as just a cinephile, this is an informative and engaging experience worth your time. There are plenty of aspects of the film that add layers to the experience. You get a detailed and engaging romp through the history of the subgenre and how it came about. You get to hear from a variety of creators who share how they have leveraged the genre to engage audiences with their stories. There are plenty of things to learn from this 100-minute film.
How do directors Sarah Appleton and Phillip Escott present their thesis in the film? The film does go beyond just presenting the history of the genre — it engages with the purpose of the technique and storytelling conventions. The film engages with the idea that big budget films do not work with the found footage genre because it defeats the purpose of feeling like it was made by just anyone. The documentary commentates on films like Cloverfield, and why that doesn’t fit the genre. Patrick Brice (the creator of Creep,which is one of my favorites found footage films) brings up an interesting perspective that found footage films don’t need strong characters since they are supposed to be just regular people. It is an interesting perspective, even if I don’t necessarily agree. The horrible characters are exactly why I am not a fan of The Blair Witch Project. I honestly wished they got lost in the woods forever. Even if you don’t agree with these perspectives, the directors craft them in an interesting way.
How about the storytelling of the documentary? For a film about the game changing storytelling used in horror films, this documentary is quite standard in its approach. The pacing works well in general, but there are a few moments sprinkled throughout where they try to make the same points over again. This gets repetitive and makes the flow of the film halt at times. But it does deliver an engaging and entertaining experience from start to finish.
Are you ready to expand your perspective on The Found Footage Phenomenon? This is a well-made, well-researched, and thorough look into the realm of found footage horror. As a cinephile, this is such a fun ride, and getting the chance to listen to so many artists talk about their art is a delight. This will be a worthy stream over on Shudder.
Score: 7/10
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