Back This! Special – The Alfred Hitchcock inspired ‘Black Chariot’
Welcome to the latest edition of our (semi) regular crowdfunding feature here on Nerdly – Back This! – where we take a look at some of the cool content taking the crowdfunding route on sites such as Indiegogo, Greenlit and Kickstarter. In this edition, we’re spotlighting Black Chariot, the latest film from Hex Studios and director Lawrie Brewster.
Hex Studios’ Black Chariot is an intense and deeply disturbing supernatural horror directed by Lawrie Brewster (Lord of Tears, The Unkindness of Ravens), inspired by the macabre genius of Alfred Hitchcock. Drawing from Hitchcock’s dark thrillers like Rebecca (1942) and Psycho (1960), Brewster seeks to invoke Hitchcock’s spirit, combined with his love of classic film noir and Val Lewton’s atmospheric slow-burn horrors.
Director Lawrie Brewster shared:
My childhood was spent haunted and mesmerized by the romantic and seductive veil Hitchcock cast over me. It shaped my vision of horror, sensuality, and my understanding of fear and obsession. I am thrilled to finally produce a horror film that combines my love for the genre with inspirations drawn from his incomparable genius. Creating a period film and a love letter to that era, in a portrayal of horror that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is terrifying, is a dream come true.
Starring in Black Chariot is none other than Laurence R. Harvey of The Human Centipede series, in an intense dramatic role that may evoke comparisons with Peter Lorre’s notorious child-killer in Fritz Lang’s M (1931). Harvey plays a ruthless manipulator who coerces three young men – Hex Studio newcomers Novarro Ramon, Dorian Todd, and Sam Barclay – into carrying out the perfect crime: stealing a valuable red briefcase whose mysterious contents drive our characters to a dark meeting place. Here, they encounter a spine-tingling figure known as ‘The Devil,’ played by Richard Pate, along with two vicious private detectives played by Nick Ford and Marco Rinaldi.
Megan Tremethick, the rising horror star and a key player in this film, commented:
I felt irresistibly drawn to Black Chariot… by its ethereal and uncanny storyline, which felt so, so reminiscent of the heart and spirit of Carnival of Souls, one of the most haunting films I’ve ever seen.
Producer Sarah Daly adds:
With Black Chariot, we’re pushing the boundaries of indie horror and the genre. Our films and storytelling defy trends and pop culture norms. We are unapologetic in our love for past cinema, and we aim to champion and resurrect a style of genre filmmaking that is timeless and will be enjoyed for years to come.
Shot in beautiful black and white, Black Chariot ushers in a new era in Hex Studios’ lineup of retro-inspired horror films. This follows the wake of sister company Amicus Productions’ record-breaking crowdfunding campaign and Megan Tremethick’s groundbreaking campaign for Spoiling You, which raised the most funds for a horror film directed by a woman.
In Black Chariot, the gang’s crime and ensuing tragedy culminate in the release of supernatural forces, forcing the criminals and a beautiful hostage in their charge, played by Megan Tremethick, into a battle for survival against an unlikely foe. As night falls, they must evade the red headlights of a black Wolseley 15/50 that moves silently through the dark. But that is the least of their problems, for this black chariot does not drive itself alone—within travels a figure of nightmares, dressed in white and moving silently through the shadows.
Black Chariot is currently recruiting followers for its pre-launch page on Kickstarter. Early supporters can sign up to purchase Blu-rays and merchandise once the campaign launches. Check out the launch page right here.
