I am honored to have both of my feature length films premiere at the legendary DTLA space “The Smell” run by Jim Smith.
Doors will open at 6:30PM and the first film “Arthouse Arrogance Pushing Patience Over a Cliff” will start at 7:00PM. “How to Explain Laughing to Dead Flowers” will start at 7:30PM. We’ll take a brief intermission and start “Onslaught of the Dead” at 8:45PM.
Pre-sale Tix are at https://www.thesmell.org/eventtickets/p/sunday-november-10-2024 and $10 at the door. Limited seating: There’s 20 fold out chairs, and two couches, but plenty of floor space for more.
Snacks and water will be available for purchase at the front counter.
You might initially set your expectations quite low for Onslaught of the Dead, a technically rough, micro-budget zombie horror-comedy. However, you could be pleasantly surprised by its devilishly witty dialogue, cartoonish humor, and distinctive arthouse horror style, all presented with a vintage super 8mm aesthetic. While the film prioritizes style, humor, action, and blood over logic, its fast-paced, video game-like structure—with zombies appearing out of nowhere and looking somewhat identical—creates an awkward tone that somehow balances B-movie charm with over-the-top performances. This is complemented by hilarious banter and unexpected character development from an unknown cast, mostly composed of musicians from Los Angeles’ DIY scene, frequenting places like The Smell or underground parties where you need a DM to get the address.
The film masterfully blends the contemplative pace of Bela Tarr’s arthouse cinema with a gripping intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Writer/Director Ten-Headed Skeleton intentionally cast musicians over actors, influenced by David Bowie’s performance in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Except for lead actress Freda Hu, most of the cast had no prior acting experience or aspirations.
This self-aware Z-grade passion project succeeds in exactly what it sets out to do: offer a popcorn-worthy, turn-your-brain-off zombie movie with no ambitions for mainstream success. It’s a quirky collaboration of misfits that surprisingly outshines many films in its genre. In a cinematic landscape filled with high-budget blockbusters, its very existence is an achievement in itself.
Influences:
- Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things
- Godzilla (Early years)
- Power Rangers
- The State (MTV)
- Return of the Living Dead
- Skinamarink (Luminal Horror)
- Day of the Dead (Dark Blue Cave Scene)
- One Cut of the Dead (B-Movie Vibe)
- John Waters (B-Movie Vibe)
- Hershal Gordon Lewis (B-Movie Vibe)
- Bela Tarr (Cinematagraphy)
- Roy Andersson (Cinematography)
- Contra/Resident Evil/Run and Gun Video Games (Pacing/Indistinguishable Zombies/Adrenaline Rush)
7PM “Arthouse Arrogance Pushing Patience Over a Cliff” is a short Comedy anthology of short films I wrote and directed.
Chapter 1. The Laundry Room
Chapter 2. You’re The Reason We’re Lost
Chapter 3. Whooping Cranes
7:45PM “How To Explain Laughing To Dead Flowers” is a feature length Horror Comedy anthology of four short films I wrote and directed.
READ REVIEW http://www.searchmytrash.com/movies/onslaughtofthedead(2025).shtml
READ REVIEW http://www.searchmytrash.com/movies/howtoexplainlaughingtodeadflowers(2024).shtml
TEN-HEADED SKELETON 