FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IS HOUSTON THE NEXT HORROR CAPITAL OF THE WORLD?
Houston, TX, May 12th, 2010 - If you see zombies swarming the streets, or axe murderers chasing helpless girls, don't be alarmed - you may have just stumbled onto one of the many film sets of Houston's burgeoning horror scene. A genre that evokes a passionate debate over morality in cinema, horror films have long been the staple of independent producers. "It's the only genre that sells itself... you don't need an A-list star," says director Kerry Beyer of the new horror/comedy SPIRIT CAMP.
Recently selected to screen at the prestigious Dances With Films Festival, SPIRIT CAMP, starring Brandon Smith (Jeepers Creepers, No Country For Old Men) and Julin Jean (The Final, Puncture, Sweatshop), will make it's Los Angeles premiere Saturday night June 5th @ 11:45 PM at the Laemmle Sunset 5. The film has been described as “FRIDAY THE 13th meets BRING IT ON,” and brings a modern sensibility to the genre, while retaining the feel of the 80’s classics. “It’s got my vote for best slasher of 1986,” says journalist Gram Ponante.
When a street smart goth-girl is forced to attend cheer camp as part of her rehabilitation from a juvenile correction facility, she clashes with the "popular girls" and finds herself embroiled in a bitter rivalry with the bitchy ringleader. But when members of the spirit squad start turning up dead, the girls must put aside their differences as they struggle to survive the murderous rage of a crazed psycho-killer lurking among them. “If you love cheerleaders, I’ve got something for you, and if you hate cheerleaders, I’ve got something for you,” says writer/director Kerry Beyer, a former winner of the Slamdance Anarchy Film Showcase and semi-finalist in the Nicholl Fellowships in screenwriting.
"Horror is often labeled as misogynistic for the abuse and degradation of women, but I feel it's actually quite the opposite... almost every horror film revolves around a 'final girl' who overcomes her inner demons, and single handedly vanquishes the villain. It's very empowering to women," says Beyer. An acclaimed fashion photographer, Beyer’s work has appeared in Vogue, Lucky, Allure, the NY Times, and more.
Filmed in and around Houston, director Kerry Beyer is part of a growing horror scene in the Bayou City. "We've got a great group of local filmmakers working and supporting each other here. Stacy Davidson's SWEATSHOP, Mel House's WALKING DISTANCE, Joe Grisaffi's DEAD of KNIGHT, Todd Cook's ZOMBIEFIED, Wayne Slaton's BACKROAD, Tom Vaughn's PLAYING HOUSE, and Bob Willems' RENFEILD THE UNDEAD are just a few of the great films coming out of Houston. I'm hoping Houston will become to horror movies what Seattle was to grunge music in the 90s."
Dances With Films runs June 3rd -10th in West Hollywood. Tickets are available online at http://www.danceswithfilms.com/10_schedule.html
A signed Limited Edition DVD of Spirit Camp is currently available from http://spiritcampmovie.com
The trailer is available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8tiOuKjp9c
For more information, press kit and stills visit http://spiritcampmovie.com/PRESS_KIT.html
Contact: Kerry Beyer
(281) 794-1105
press@kerosenefilms.com
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