FILM REVIEW: “78”
If the COVID pandemic of 2020 didn’t scare you, this horror film by Mitchell Richmond surely will. At the very least, it’s bound to make you feel uneasy throughout its claustrophobic setting and disturbing imagery.
78 is about a man named Jack, and his two other roommates, Danny and Shelly, as they find themselves confined within the walls of their home due to an unknown force outside. However, over time, Jack’s claustrophobia sets in as he seeks an escape.
This movie provided an excellent demonstration of visual storytelling. While Jack may have had the fewest lines in the movie, the cinematography (Lenni Uitto) clearly conveyed his thought process as quarantining took its toll. However, what really pulled the cinematography together was the way each scene smoothly rolled into the next. One scene in particular features a nightmarish dream sequence that dips the entire frame into red, then fades to a close up shot of a red kettle. Although it is a simple transition, it resembled an older style of filmmaking that relied more on the imagery to move to the next scene rather than visual effects in post-production.
On top of its incredible visual symbolism, something noteworthy about “78” was its score (Spencer Ditta). Using what mostly sounded like a synthesizer, the music under each scene felt very unconventional for a modern horror film. Its high pitch hums, noisy bass drops, and electronic melodies were, at times, a bit chaotic. That isn’t to say that it wasn’t enhancing the story. As chaotic as the score was, it pushed this overall feeling of uneasiness. As the film went on, the score almost felt like it was breaking; much like our main protagonist, Jack. It was a bold choice that, again, resembled a style of older filmmaking, and was executed beautifully.
Mitchell Richmond definitely explores the full potential of every aspect of filmmaking with this piece. Utilizing everything in his arsenal, an enticing story was told with enough abstractness to leave room for interpretation. There is something to be said about Mitchell’s understanding of the cinematic language that gives this movie a truly unique and haunting story.
Review: Ike Mauga
“78” is screening during the Feature-Length Films screening block at ZIFA on June 16th, 2023