My love of unusual customs and a fascination with all things Irish adds additional anticipation about The Wake, an upcoming ultra indie production from new director Rik Gordon. Gordon gets particular preference here as he has confirmed with Fear with Beer that he is, indeed, a fellow beer drinker. Beer is, after all, the second part of our name.
The team is currently engaged in an Indiegogo campaign, scheduled to end Halloween 2016, to raise a modest $8,000. I mention this upfront because they are offering one of the coolest bits of swag I've encountered: a small wooden coffin with your name engraved in it... for premium supporters. That's just plain cool.
According to Gordon, who lives in Northern Ireland, The Wake will use elements of a traditional Irish wake but will also integrate those with fantastical elements. The Wake team is using practical (that is, non-CGI) special effects, with the intent of creating both a creepy and suspenseful short not afraid of a little blood. Previously, Gordon directed the indie short The Pigman which has been running the indie festival circuit, recently having shown at festivals in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin and Budapest.
| Director Rik Gordon |
And what about the beer?
Gordon tells Fear with Beer he is partial to Smithwick's, an Irish red ale, but likes the local Irish craft offerings, including Finn Irish Craft Lager from Station Works in Northern Ireland. While you can spot various characters tilting a pint in The Pigman, The Wake will feature poitín, a kind of Irish moonshine.Póit, by the way, is the Irish word for 'hangover'.
Help support The Wake at any level by visiting https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-wake-irish-horror-film#/
Keep tabs on The Wake on its website thewakehorror.com and on Twitter @thewakehorror, Facebook @thewakehorror, and Instagram.
Currently, The Pigman is not available for viewing, but when any of Gordon's productions become available, we'll let you know on Fear with Beer. You can see the trailer for The Pigman on YouTube.
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Fear with Beer's Ultra Indie feature introduces horror cinema fans to independent horror productions of all kinds: shorts, movies and works-in-progress. Many are passion projects, created by small teams, even individuals, with inspired visions but not always inspired budgets.
Given the nature of indie projects, FwB has decided to let them speak for themselves. We will get 'em to you, but you decide what you think. We may see works from the next John Carpenter, Wes Craven ... or Ed Wood. We may see something never before seen. Whatever we see, it will be authentic and new.
Given the nature of indie projects, FwB has decided to let them speak for themselves. We will get 'em to you, but you decide what you think. We may see works from the next John Carpenter, Wes Craven ... or Ed Wood. We may see something never before seen. Whatever we see, it will be authentic and new.
A NOTE ON LINKS: Links are active at the date of posting, but as as directors roll out more polished versions or make alternate distribution arrangements, the links may cease living. If you find a dead link, let me know.
