Film: We Are The Weirdos

Hell Hath No Fury Like Talent Scorned

Many a highly established A list director has birthed their career in low budget horror movies. It’s a potent, universal genre that takes great talent to truly make it work, but it can also be made relatively cheaply if need be, so the focus is often on ideas. Unfortunately these established directors for no valid reason are vastly more often than not all male. Obliviously there are many contributing factors to this (again, none valid), but nothing will change until it’s made to change. Step forward The Final Girls.

Greeting you on The Final Girls web page are the wonderful words ‘Exploring the intersections of horror and feminism.’ which comically would instantly send shivers down the underdeveloped spines of some pathetic males amongst us, but when I first read it was giddy with delight, anything that promotes creativity and new fresh perspectives is getting my support, it also helps when the work being curated is truly outstanding.
The main vehicle for the promotion of the shorts films they are showing comes in the collective known as the We Are The Weirdos which they are currently running the second year UK tour of at the moment We Are The Weirdos 2. A block of nine short movies of varying lengths and vastly diverse influences, taken from all over the world, the unifying concept being they were all directed by women. And my the world of future cinema is in VERY fine health, as all the works here are outstanding in their own truly individual ways.

Not only is the selection truly global in source, but the scope of mediums involved are fantastic, be it traditional acting, gorgeous puppetry, dance (Puppet Master), beautiful animation (Cerulia), wonderfully innovative use of imagery/technology (#EATPRETTY) or just downright excellent and funny writing (Hair Wolf). 

The broadness of the works also means that it’s guaranteed to please everyone, if you didn’t connect so much with one, in a few minutes there will be a whole new world opened up to please your senses.
Particular favourites for me were the Mexican entry Cerulia, a truly beautiful, dark, quirky and gorgeous animation that had me gasping at the beauty of the craftsmanship that was on the screen. With echoes of Neil Gaimen’s Coraline, but much darker, and to my eyes/soul enjoyably more sinister in vision.

Another stand out was the wonderfully enjoyable and funny as hell American entry Hair Wolf which immediately made its director Mariama Diallo one of my favourite directors around. If you ever wondered what the world would be like if the genius Spike Lee was born a girl, wonder now more. Not to take anything away from Mariama at all, Hair Wolf is a razor sharp commentary on black culture being corrupted by white Instagram ‘influencers’ and its blend of comedy, beautiful costumes, gorgeous big hair, neon cinematography, killer script and wonderful performances all round, made this a true joy to see on the big screen.

In fact, the entire selection looked amazing up big and beautiful and really showed that these directors can hold their own amongst more established creators. It has to be said that there aren’t any truly terrifying entries to the collection, but that isn’t a criticism, horror can come in many forms, even in bereavement.

As mentioned the collection is currently touring the UK (it’s Women In Horror month), with a screening on 20 February at the Prince Charles Cinema in London. Further details can be found below, but let’s hope that The Final Girls immediately become a global institution, as they are doing some outstanding work.

The block will premiere in London on February 20th at the Prince Charles Cinema. Get tickets here: https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/WhatsOn?f=10615863
UK Tour dates and more information can be found here: https://www.thefinalgirls.co.uk/upcoming-events/wearetheweirdos2