(2004/FRANCE)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-THIERRY LOPEZ CAST-JULIEN MASDOUA, LUC MIGLIETTA, DAVID JIMENEZ, RODOLPHE GAYRARD and DENYS SCHANN. RUNTIME-18 MINUTES
We start with a set of uniquely busy transitions that create a short passage of time involving our main character of Maximilien who is walking alone through remote ly dark alleyways. The those transitions seem to point out what many things run through a person’s mind when alone and time to think them. They pierce the slower walking scenes with pure energy, perfect for this all black and white shot on 16mm short film out of France. Director Thierry Lopez is no stranger to this medium as he has already many other fine examples of short projects under his belt, especially his last two projects, 2000's SYMPHONIA HORRORIS, in which he bring tribute and updating to the famed vampire tale of Nosferatu and again in 2003, where he directed the short film APPARITION. Both of which are very enthusiastic lead ups to his MAXIMILIANI.
As the story continues, Maximilien passes through an open courtyard of sorts where there are two men awaiting for him. At first with their body language and tone, Max figures that they are two aggressive gay men looking for a score. He tries to make his way past, but is hit over the head with a rock. The two men then continue to beat Max relentlessly until it becomes apparent that they aren’t looking for a good time, but for his flesh. They are two vampires looking to feed and as all vampires they do get their way with Max. During the course of their feeding, they are interrupted by two mysterious men who drive up in a car. Those men begin to open fire with guns upon the two vampires, the whole interaction between the four of them indicated that they all have a past between them, as if the hunted have been hunted by them before and the hunters have been eluded by the haunted before. While all of this goes down, you are faces with thinking just what happens to Max. The hunters are swift in completing their job, beheading the first and crucifying the second one. Of course they over look Max and one of them is killed as Max is in a state of confusion and will do anything to survive. The end game of deadly cat and mouse begins.
Even though MAXIMILIANI ULTIMA NOX is shot entirely in black and white, I couldn’t see it any other way. As it adds to the overall richness and mood generated on a whole. For there are tons of blood being spilled throughout this affair and none of it is wasted by no means. In fact any gore hound would fall in love with this even though it only 18 minutes, the amount of gore could fill some feature horrors with ease. Everything from heads being decapitated, to an encore full body explosion, there is simply tons of treats to fill your curious little minds with. Not too forget the story here either, though it isn’t too elaborate, it’s no push over either. Simple lay-out, great acting, superb down to earth special effects all of which is incased with a pounding black metal soundtrack.
The bonus here is if you manage to grab the DVD, you are treated to a very in depth behind the scenes on just about everything during the production of the film. Plus, you also get Thierry’s other two short films SYMPHONIA HORRORIS and APPARITION, which will also blow your already gutted mind. It is simply still quite nice to see an independent film maker use 16mm film or any film for that matter and for a short film. People tend to forget the richness that film still gives a project, something that digital in my opinion still can’t top. It’s projects like this one, that keeps one’s love for this type of genre to keep on going. It also would be a great injection into the French film market if the right people paid attention!
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