Below Zero (2011 Film)

''Below Zero'' is a 2011 Canadian thriller-horror film. It is directed by Justin Thomas Ostensen, and stars Edward Furlong, Michael Berryman and Kristin Booth.

Plot

A screenwriter named Jack (Edward Furlong) is struggling with severe writer's block while attempting to craft the perfect horror screenplay. Desperate for inspiration and facing mounting pressure from deadlines, he makes an unconventional decision to lock himself inside a freezing meat locker, believing that the extreme environment will force his creativity to emerge. His goal is to develop a compelling story about a man trapped in a similar predicament - a meat locker where survival becomes the ultimate challenge.

As Jack sits in the frigid confines of the locker, he begins to visualize and construct his horror narrative. In his imagined story, he envisions a protagonist who becomes the target of a menacing and sadistic butcher named Gunner (Michael Berryman). This fictional butcher is a twisted individual who takes pleasure in hunting and tormenting his victims within the claustrophobic, frozen environment. Jack's screenplay begins to take shape as he develops the cat-and-mouse dynamic between the trapped victim and the relentless predator.

However, as Jack becomes more immersed in his creative process, the boundaries between his imagined horror story and his actual reality begin to blur in disturbing ways. The longer he remains in the meat locker, the more his mental state deteriorates, and his fictional creation starts to manifest in increasingly real and threatening ways. What began as a simple writing exercise transforms into a psychological nightmare when Gunner, the evil butcher from his screenplay, somehow crosses over from fiction into reality, becoming a genuine and deadly threat to Jack's survival.

The film explores themes of creativity, isolation, and the dangerous power of imagination as Jack must confront not only his writer's block but also the very real possibility that his fictional creation may cost him his life. The story becomes a twisted meta-narrative where the line between storyteller and victim becomes fatally blurred.

Cast

*Edward Furlong as Jack/Frank
*Michael Berryman as Gunner
*Kristin Booth as Penny
*Dee Hannah as Mrs. Hatcher
*Michael Eisner as Monty
*Sadie Madu

Production

Writer Signe Olynyk developed writer's block whilst writing the film. In order to overcome it, she locked herself in a meat locker for five days to develop the story.

In February 2010, it was revealed that director Justin Thomas Ostensen would start filming in March 2010 in Canada. Then in March, '' The Hills Have Eyes'' actor Michael Berryman was announced to appear in the film as Gunnar. Edward Furlong was also announced in April 2012. In the same month Kristin Booth, Michael Eisner, Sadie Madu and Dee Hannah were also added.

Filming took place in Alberta, Canada.

The film was originally titled ''Below Zero 3D'' but in January 2012, it was revealed the 3D had been dropped from the film.

Release

The world premiere was at the Calgary International Film Festival, 18 September 2011.

The film had 31 official selections at film festivals, including:
*A Night of Horror International Film Festival. Sydney, Australia (March 2012)
* Arizona International Film Festival
*Austin Film Festival. Austin, Texas, US (October 2011)
*Derby City Film Festival. Louisville, Kentucky, US (February 2012)
*Garden State Film Festival. Asbury Park, New Jersey, US (March 2012)
*Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival. Los Angeles, California, US (March 2012)
*Indie Horror Film Festival. Chicago, Illinois, US (March 2012)

It was released on home video 28 August 2012.

Reception

Mike Saulters from Slackerwood.com gave a mixed review of the film, saying, "the story becomes a muddled mess that doesn't have a clear destination" and calls Kristin Booth's character "annoying as hell". However, Saulters praises the acting of Edward Furlong and Michael Berryman noting they are the "highlight of the movie". Martin Unsworth of ''Starburst'' rated the film with 8 out of 10 stars and wrote that he expected it to be a routine slasher film, but it turned out to be "fresh and surprising".

Awards

Won

*San Diego Film Festival: Best Screenplay
*Toronto Independent Film Festival: Best Sci-Fi/Horror Film
*Fright Night Film Fest: Best Soundtrack
*Indie Horror Film Festival: Best Special Effects, Special Recognition
*Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival: Best Screenplay
*Prestige Film Awards: Gold Award for Best Script, Gold Award for Best Art Direction
*American International Film Festival: Best Horror Movie

Nominated

* Hoboken International Film Festival: Best of the Festival, Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Furlong), Best Actress (Booth), Best Editor
*Indie Horror Film Festival: Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Director, Best Feature Film.

References

External links

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Official Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Below Zero
2011 films
Films shot in Alberta
2011 horror films
Canadian horror thriller films
English-language Canadian films
2010s English-language films
2010s Canadian films
English-language horror films