Canada’s Blood in the Snow Film Festival, which runs in Toronto from November 18–23, 2021, features a jaw-dropping array of homegrown horror and horror-comedy features and shorts. Following are reviews of three of the short films that screen at the festival.
Giant Bear
Giant Bear (Canada, 2019) is a beautifully animated vision of an Inuit legend that is absolutely stunning. Codirectors Neil Christopher and Daniel Gies have crafted an absolutely gorgeous work. As beautiful as the snowy landscape is, the underwater world in the short is breathtaking. A lone hunter tries spearfishing with his dog, only to come face to face with a monstrously large bear. Much more than just an animated creature feature, Giant Bear is a riveting experience.
Wolf in Dude’s Clothing
Writer/director Solmund MacPherson’s Wolf in Dude’s Clothing (Canada, 2021) sees a wolf assume a human lifestyle after finding a suit of human skin in the wild. The wolf-man (Erik Athavale) — a fun play on the wolfman legend — goes to work at the office, spends his evenings with his wife and daughter, and tries to fit in, but his animalistic urges are always gnawing at him. The practical effects, which include the aforementioned human suit and some hilarious puppetry for the wolf — are a blast, and Athavale gives a solid performance as the bemused wolf-man. MacPherson works in some satire about man’s effect on nature, and the climax offers some laughs with a touch of poignancy. Wolf in Dude’s Clothing is an amusing, well-crafted short.
Mummering Legends
Director Shane Mills’ Mummering Legends (Canada, 2021) is a gripping horror short in which a grandmother (Mary Walsh) tells her daughter about how the Newfoundland Christmastime tradition of mummering was dangerous in years past. Mills, working from a screenplay by Francois Van Zyl, paces the short wonderfully, building suspense and taking the film to unexpected places. Beautifully shot and boasting a terrific score and fine performances from the ensemble cast members, Mummering Legends is a top-notch effort.
Giant Bear, Wolf in Dude’s Clothing, and Mummering Legends screen as part of Blood in the Snow Film Festival, which runs in Toronto, Canada from November 18–23, 2021. For more information, visit https://www.bloodinthesnow.ca/.
