One of Quentin Tarantino's favorite films of 2011 caused quite a stir when it premiered. Westboro Baptist Church supporters planned a demonstration at the Sundance Film Festival. The members of the church are known in the United States for their posters with things like "God hates America", "God hates Fags" or "Rabbis rape kids". The religious community is also a co-organizer of "Burn a Koran Day". Kevin Smith, the film's director, successfully organized a counter-demonstration with fans that outnumbered the Westboro representatives. Kevin Smith (Tusk, Cop Out, Zack and Miri Make a Porno) already knew this from the release of his 1999 film Dogma, where he received hostilities from cult groups. The film was shot chronologically in 25 days, using a RED digital camera Smith was able to easily edit the film during breaks in shooting and show the crew a first rough cut after shooting was over.
Red State is an independent film. At a production cost of $4 million, about $5,000 of that went to special effects. Many roles are cast by family members of the staff and cast (including Smith's wife). After the film premiered, Kevin Smith said he wanted to auction the rights directly. A producer came on stage to be the auctioneer, Smith then offered $20 himself and got the job as a distributor straight away. He was able to take the film on a roadshow and quickly break even through a deal with Netflix and international distributors.
COntent
Young Travis is driven to school by his mother. On the way, the two pass a funeral. Alongside the mourners, members of the Five Points Trinity Church have also gathered to protest that the murdered man was homosexual. The movement of this group is also a topic at school, since the whole city is repeatedly disturbed by the demonstrations. Travis doesn't care much though. With his friends Jared and Billy Ray, he's more of a seeker for some quick weekend fun. Jared found a website where females advertise, they are looking for someone to satisfy their carnal urges. Jared is able to persuade his two friends to go to this meeting with him. After a brief collision with a stationary car and subsequent hit-and-run, the three young people reach their destination. For Sara, who wrote the message on the internet, the fun doesn't start until everyone has had at least two beers...
In Conclusio
Anyone who knows films by Kevin Smith will be surprised at Red State. Rather than hitting the comedy notch, this film is a hard hitting action/thriller/horror mix. Above all, Michael Parks (Twin Peaks, From Dusk Till Dawn, Kill Bill, Django Unchained, Tusk) shines in his role as a cult leader. It's worth watching the film for him alone. Despite his talent, he remained relatively unknown throughout his life, only the directors he worked with did not want to do without him as a character actor in future films.
Through Michael Parks, director Smith also met one of his great idols, Quentin Tarantino. Kevin Smith is not known for valuing the opinions of critics. However, when he found out at Tarantino's home how brilliant he thought the film was, he didn't let him finish and threw his arms around him with joy. Tarantino is said to have talked about nothing else the day he saw it, and asked Smith and Parks (whom they both thought was the best actor alive and should be in more movies) to watch the film with him again.
In Smith's own words, Red State should be a film that pays homage to the works of his Idol Tarantino. There is also a touch of the Coen brothers. You notice that above all in the soundtrack, which, like in No Country for Old Men (2007), is not available. However, it is not that daring because the music in the film is played over the radio or sung. Nevertheless, "not noticing the lack of musical accompaniment" is a seal of quality for every film - here too. The film also has an excellent cast in supporting roles with John Goodman and Melissa Leo. Besides that - camera and screenplay in particular - the remaining aspects of the film are also convincing.
Predicate Indipearl, 4 of 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Seen in the original edition)
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