About to premiere at the Film4 Fright Fest in London before moving on to appearances at Fantastic Fest and Sitges, the Ford Brothers' upcoming zombie picture has been winning a load of advance admiration and excitement based on the early trailers and the novelty of the film's African setting. Me? After being burned badly by recent French zombie effort The Horde - which I think is pretty awful - I've been staying at a cautious distance and waiting to actually see the thing before speculating. And while I still haven't seen the complete picture I do, at least, have a new trailer to share with a good amount of footage that should be new to fans of the earlier promo spots. Check it below.
In the very near future, most of the world has succumbed to the virus of the living dead. After crashing off the coast of Africa, Lt. Brian Murphy battles for survival across the terrible terrain of Africa in search of a way to get back to his beloved family in the USA. Saved by local military man Daniel Dembele, who is also searching for his son, both men join forces, all the while battling against the ever-present threat of the living dead.
Apart from the setting, it looks indistinguishable from standard SyFy cheese. The lead looks like a poor man's Jeff Fahey, and Fahey is already the poor man's leading man. I particularly like how the hype quotes at the beginning include one that trumpets how "beautifully shot" it is, immediately followed by digital video footage that is decidedly not beautifully shot.
Not to mention that even after having seen only the trailer, I question the wisdom of having a white American fighting his way out of deepest, darkest Africa by hacking through hordes of black zombies. I think we all realized how potentially offensive (not to mention unoriginal) this white man vs. the murderous third world natives plot was when the Italians were doing it repeatedly in the '70s and '80s.
Something tells me that Filmfreak66 is somehow connected to this film.
Swarez wins a cookie. It's writer-director Jon Ford, making an ass of himself in public. Next time you have the urge, Jon, you may want to post using an email address that ISN'T your name.
Those first two guys who commented sound like douchebags. It really looks great and it reminds me of, the most recent resident evil game. Also, I agree with Swarez.
Ya. It doesn't look half bad, the trailer isn't the best but I'll catch it at FF.
*Comes in with a massive bucket of Masengil and throws it on the posts*
Debate a film AFTER you've seen it. Let's also remember, INCEPTION came out of Hollywood. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Blame the lame genre offerings on the audiences. The studios only follow the money.
Looks like the same plot as Resident Evil 5.(game)
I have seen the first two trailers for this online and I must say I enjoyed them. The latest however, I feel takes it to a whole new level. I enjoy the world cinema vibe it has and it is always good to see my boy Prince David Osei on the big screen. I am not up on the 35mm vs digital debate but as an African I know racism when I see it - and I just don't see it here - zombies aren't real... I actually like the fact people chose to film this on location, it is a shame more don't.
We can't consider the film "racist" or "offensive" (especially since we haven't seen it yet), BUT I did feel a bit weary about it considering: 1) the history of European and American slave-owners and -sellers, 2) apartheid in South Africa (although I'm not sure what part of African this specific film takes place in), 3) the film legacy of white protagonists either saving or battling "The Other" (i.e. non-whites), and 4) the zombies being portrayed as "The Other" (which, seemingly in the case of this film, are mostly non-whites). It's not worth debating as I'm sure these things aren't necessarily always at the forefront of people's minds. It's cool that the crew utilized and paid local talent, though - http://www.dreadcentral.com/interviews/ford-howard-j-the-dead-part-two... I wonder what Jon's brother, Howard, feels about this little "incident" here on Twitch.
Hi guys, Howard Ford here, this is my first comment on a site but I’m doing it as a few folk have sent the link my way as it asks what I think about it! I wish I had more time to get into this fully as I appreciate all the time everyone is taking to debate aspects of the film but firstly a quick apology if Jon’s rant offended anyone. I’m going to call him now but I’m posting this first incase he discourages me from doing so! I’ve got to tell you that if you knew Jon, you would know he wears his heart on his sleeve at the very least and ‘shoots off’ immediately something gets his goat! It’s generally his passion for a project he not only loves but has had a huge amount invested in both personally and creatively over the years. You can see his opening lines in the ‘making of’ The Dead are all bleeped out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7m_zl1qSdo
In fact, so much so that the locals in Africa had a word for Jon, I cant recall what it is but it translated as ‘the crazy one’! Also its been a bit of a crazy and emotional time right now with all that’s going on leading up to the FrightFest and Fantastic Fest premieres– also, (and I would never have mentioned this & I’ll get shouted at for doing so I’m sure!) but at this moment we’re under some other personal pressures including the fact that our Father goes under the knife tomorrow for a major bowel cancer operation that involves removing a huge amount of bowel and instead of our Dad taking his allocated seat to see his boys creation at FrightFest after all these years, but instead he may he may share something ironically in comment with the films title…Anyway, the point is we’re all a bit on edge and I’m sure if you actually met each other you’d probably get on well but maybe that’s not such a good idea! Ha. I don’t want to get too involved in the debate as I respect anyone’s opinions and although we have had some incredible responses from those that have seen The Dead in previews or the press screenings. I just hope people do go and see it, to see for themselves what we have tried so hard to create, nearly killing ourselves doing so out in Africa… and if you do go and see it on anything other than a pirate copy then we thank you for your support and we’d love to hear what you think of the experience. I do believe you will get something out of this film that is unique to the genre, but of course we can never please everyone and we know that. All the best guys and hope to see you for a beer or 2 at FrightFest or Fantastic Fest!! Cheers, Howard. – Now I’m going to put my ear plugs in, get my hand poised over the bleeping machine and call Jon!!!