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Indie Film: 'Damnationland': Going Mainescream

Made by Mainers and shot in Maine, the seven-flick horror anthology showcases the state's beautiful dark side.

By DENNIS PERKINS

Maine is scary.

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A scene from MINT Films' "A Bell in the Yard," which writer Ian Carlsen says is a nod to the "wealth of horror in (New England's) history. Hawthorne, Poe, Lovecraft; all of them found influences here. ... It's about bringing the fear back home."

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A scene from MINT Films' "A Bell in the Yard."

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COMING TO LOCAL SCREENS

GENO'S

www.myspace.com/genosrockclub

Monday: The Geek Chorus presents "Communion." Perhaps an act of post-Haloween decompression, Portland's own MST3k takes its comedy scythes to this 1976 horror non-classic starring a young Brooke Shields and no one else.

NICKELODEON CINEMAS

www.patriotcinemas.com/nickelodeon.html

Wednesday: "Straight to Hell." I don't know what mad genius thought of screening Alex Cox's 1987 cult spaghetti Western spoof, but sir/madam, I salute you. Starring Joe Strummer, Courtney Love, Dennis Hopper, Grace Jones, Elvis Costello and The Pogues (in toto).

Stephen King. The Maine Cryptozoology Museum. Those generic cans at Marden's that just say "chicken parts."

Terrifying.

And now, several Maine filmmakers have banded together to make Maine that much creepier with "Damnationland," an anthology of seven horror films. No "from away" funded; no "no one can tell the difference between Maine and British Columbia" King adaptation. "Damnationland" is all original, all shot in Maine, and all guaranteed to freak you right the heck out.

Just in time for Halloween.

Let the creators tell you how:

Christian Matzke and Sarah Tarling Matzke of Page Street Studios: "Last Call"

"Last Call" is the story of a man who, when a zombie apocalypse strikes present-day Brunswick, has an epiphany and believes he must perform last rights on zombies because they still have souls.

Nick Poulin and Krister Rollins of [dog]and[pony]: "Consumption"

A couple deals with a crushing evil as the shadow of sin seeps in, consuming a once-loved partner. Poulin and Rollins say they're thrilled to work alongside the luminous talent "Damnationland" offers.

Betsy Carson, Reggie Burrows Hodges and Kate Kaminski of Gitgo Productions: "20/20"

In 2010, time is running out for those who haven't already been affected by an inexorable super-virus that spreads from computers to humans through radio waves.

David Camlin and Jeremy Alexander of Camlin and Sons: "Undone"

Camlin says he and Alexander are very excited to be part of the first "Damnationland." They wanted to make a psycho thriller/noir-type thing, and are actually surprised how strong the finished piece is considering the inflated ideas they entered the experience with.

Ian Carlsen of MINT Films: "A Bell in the Yard"

Says Carlsen: "It can seem that, outside of Stephen King, the horror genre has left New England, but there's a wealth of horror in our history. Hawthorne, Poe, Lovecraft; all of them found influences here. 'A Bell in the Yard' is a nod towards that history. It's about bringing the fear back home."

Allen Baldwin of Strongpaw Productions and Bottlecap Collective: "Humoresque"

The film is a dark metaphysical cartoon. Sam and Ralph are two mysterious and brutal killers whose mission is unclear. The film is heavily influenced by cartoons and myth, and thoughts about what the world is, and maybe what it should be.

Torrey Alan Johnson of Laughing Man Films: "Shambles"

"Shambles" is a quick look inside a man's head after a fatal decision from which there is no turning back. Johnson says that even though he had no idea what other filmmakers were going to bring to the table, it was a great feeling to know they were all working together, yet separately.

"Damnationland" screens in Portland at the Nickelodeon at 7 and 9 p.m. tonight, and at Movies at the Museum at the Portland Museum of Art at 7 p.m. Friday. Check out www.damnationland.com for more Maine screenings.

Dennis Perkins is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.