Review
Black Briefs is a release from US-based Guest House Films, following on from their entertaining feature, Role/Play. Black Briefs is a collection of horror-themed short films along the same lines as Peccadillo Pictures successful ‘Boys on Fim’ and ‘Girls on Film’ series.
In fact, if you’re a fan of ‘Boys on Film’, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. Not only is the principle of the DVD the same, the opening film – Iris Prize finalist Spring – comes from Hong Khaou, director of Boys on Film: Hard Love’s Summer. While that film dealt with the repercussions of falling in love with your best friend, Spring is a beautifully framed look at a couple engaging in S&M roleplay. Not for the faint hearted, it gets the set of films off to a great start.
Other favourites include Greg Ivan Smith’s Remission, where we spend a couple of days in a secluded setting with a man awaiting the results of a biopsy. Definitely not one for the squeemish, or anyone who ever plans on staying in a log cabin in the country alone. Gripping and terrifying form start to end, it leaves its mark for some time.
Winner Takes All sees manipulative Ryker pit his two lovers against eachother to win his love, but ends up losing everything he values most. It’s camp but emotive and another example of stunning cinematography.
Lalo Vasquez’s Promise starts off weak but turns it around half way through its twenty minute run. Stu and Chris are preparing to marry but the drinks flow, secrets come out and there are devestating consequences for the seemingly happy couple.
The shortest film of the collection is Video Night. At just six minutes long, it managed to make me shudder as it suddenly goes from a jolly gathering of friends to a traditional horror in the style of Scream-meets-Blair-Witch.
The final film is Communication, the story of an Orthodox Jewish student who inherits the state of his estranged tutor. This is the weakest story of the collection, with a plot that doesn’t flow very convincingly, leaving the viewer unclear about the exact nature of the pairs relationship.
Overall this is an extremely enjoyable collection of short films from some extremely promising directors.
Black Briefs is available to buy on Amazon.com (US release, Region 1 DVD)
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