ARROW FRIGHTFEST (digital edition): The Horror Crowd

Sep 3

It is clear from the get-go that Ruben Pla's The Horror Crowd is a passion project made on a shoestring budget, and if the viewer can get past the latter they will be enamoured with the former.

Pla's documentary interviews a plentiful crop of directors, producers and writers that are key to the current Hollywood industry. Talking points and topics on gender, race and background are key components within, and offer incredibly fascinating and poignant aspects that are endearing. It is this element that is clearly the most immersive and appealing aspect to Pla's film, and one that arguably deserves its own feature of which Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror will suffice and is a must-watch.

However, it must be said that this is only a supplementary extra to The Horror Crowd and the documentary itself is more of an inner exploration of community and friendship than anything else. Talking to those behind — as well as the front of — the camera about how their career trajectories have got them to where they are, offers the viewer the quintessential career talk. However, it is the inner group relationship and bond that Pla brilliantly explores. The passion and community Pla uncovers and showcases with conversations on career, sacrifice, friendship and fellowship is intoxicating and again, with the topics on hand, never becomes dull or uninspiring.

The problem, but more so a nitpick, is the transitions utilised. Granted, it is hard to criticise this passion project as cheap, but the way the transitions are implemented are strangely jarring and unneeded. A more organic and natural way of implementation would be far more engaging, especially with the voice-over having to reinforce the topic on top of a visual transition and conversation to begin with.

It is also hard to differentiate the difference between this being Ruben Pla's The Horror Crowd, or Ruben Pla presents The Horror Crowd at times. Strange and jarring angles are used to what feels as if Pla is forced into the screen to craft intimacy and friendship but only makes the image far too tight and uncomfortable for the viewer.

Nevertheless, while it won't be as impacting as Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror or as engaging as Cursed Films, Ruben Pla's The Horror Crowd is a passionate attempt at highlighting those who bring Horror to our screens.