“Have you watched the tapes?”
Clocking in at a breezy 90-minutes, SITE 13 is a found footage film that, quite honestly, I think far better than it should. This film is both brilliant in its intensity and in its cinematography, which both prove to be gripping throughout this journey into the darkest of cosmic horrors.
Need some clarity on its subject? You don’t. It’s all here in Writer/Director/Actor Nathan Faudree’s fantastically crafted film, which plays out as an homage to all things Lovecraft. It’s damned amazing what is pulled off here as two films from two time periods merge into one movie that explores the myth; the legacy; the madness over the course of more than a decade.
Terror Films has scheduled SITE 13, a Lovecraftian horror movie filmed over the course of 17 years, for a digital bow this summer.
As the story plays out, Dr. Nathan Marsh wakes up in a mental institution from a 10 year catatonic state he has to watch the tapes from his last expedition to learn what eldritch horrors he has unleashed on the world. Using found footage shot in 2003 as flashback material for a present day story featuring a recurring character, SITE 13 presents its cosmic horror in a fashion that is endlessly engaging because EVIL NEVER DIES.
Interestingly enough, the film was assembled over the course of 17 years It began as a found footage film in 2003 under the direction of Tony Urban and was mostly improvised before it was shelved. Flash forward 13 years and Faudree resumes work on completing the film by shooting present-day footage and using the old footage as a flashback frame. It works tremendously, giving the film a brand new life with which to terrify audiences.
The atmosphere here - as two films become one - is one for the ages, especially when it comes to independent horror films. It is absolutely stunning, filling the frame with shots which are both moody and expressive. The edits - thanks to the work of indie horror star Alan Rowe Kelly - are handled with a keen eye and help push the narrative forward with a new depth.
The present-day portion was filmed over the course of a week in the Syracuse area using an incredible crop of regional theatre talent and the crew from WatchWorks Studios led by Chris Steinberger and Megan Piechowicz. SITE 13 features strong performances from Kelly Ray Shelton, Nichole McFarlane, Tony Urban, John Wisniewski, Marguerite Mitchell, Daryl Acevedo, Colin Dean, Dylan Montrand, and Stephen Paunovsk. Katie Gibson and Leila Dean also star in the unnerving horror film, due July 28 on digital platforms from Terror Films.
When you consider the amount of awards that this film has won - which includes the Winner for BEST SOUND DESIGN at the 2021 NYC HORROR FILM FESTIVAL, Winner of BEST HORROR FEATURE at London's 2021 NEW WAVE CINEMA AWARDS, Winner of BEST HORROR FEATURE at the 2021 MONTREAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL, Winner of BEST DIRECTOR & BEST HORROR at the 8 & HALF FILM AWARDS 2022, Winner of BEST HORROR FEATURE at the 2022 CULT MOVIE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Award Winner at the 2022 KANSAS CITY ARTHOUSE FILM FESTIVAL, and a handful of honorable mentions - it’s little wonder that this film has gained a cult following. Watch it and you will see just what I mean as this film has EVERYTHING horror hounds want in a film.
Directed by Nathan Faudree (who also stars) and Tony Urban and Executively Produced by Chris Steinberger & Megan Piechowic, SITE 13 is not to be missed.
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime:
Director: Nathan Faudree; Tony Urban
Writer: Nathan Faudree; Tony Urban
Cast: Alan Rowe Kelly; Nathan Faudree; Kelly Ray
Genre: Horror
Tagline: He is in the World.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Don't dismiss me like I'm crazy. This is my life's work."
Distributor: Terror Films
Official Site:
Release Date: July 28, 2023 - On demand and Digital
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: When Dr. Nathan Marsh wakes up in a mental institution from a 10 year catatonic state he has to watch the tapes from his last expedition to learn what eldritch horrors he has unleashed on the world.
