Blood-red desert (aka It Stains The Sands Red) is a surprising zombie movie written by The Vicious Brothers (ESP - Paranormal Phenomena) namely Stuart Ortiz and Colin Minihan. The direction, on the other hand, is by the latter. Of the film, the imposing desert location in which the protagonists namely Molly (played by an extraordinary Brittany Allen) and the living dead (Juan Riedinger) who will chase her relentlessly is immediately striking. An isolated place, the arid and boundless desert amplifies a deep sense of loneliness found in both the living person and the resurrected deceased.
Molly (Brittany Allen) is a Las Vegas woman haunted by a stormy past who finds herself alone to cope with the ongoing zombie apocalypse. Stranded in the desert, the survivor will be pursued by an unstoppable zombie (Juan Riedinger) who, unlike her, will not show the slightest sign of fatigue.
The strength of Red desert blood (USA - 2016) lies not only in the isolated, barren and dense location but also in a deep character analysis. In fact, in The Vicious Brothers' film, we witness a sudden change in the protagonist and also in her relationship with her rotten stalker whom she will try to tame (homage to Day of the Dead of Romero) and to which he will also later give a name.
Abandonment and the shadow of death are themes that become a constant in the film, and it is precisely in this context of extreme marginalization (dictated by the severely uncomfortable condition) that the barrier dividing the world of the dead from the world of the living is undone, causing a kind of sick friendship to flourish between the two survivors. A bond, this one, that becomes symbolic especially when, representing the real danger, it is the man and not the zombie.
On endless stretches of sand lit by a blazing sun, Molly's grueling journey represents a kind of redemption, a path to self-awareness. Setting aside a past of drugs and alcohol, a motherly love will awaken in the young woman, giving her the strength to overcome any obstacle.
Red desert blood is an unusual zombie movie, a horror film that focuses on feelings and inner growth while not neglecting heinous moments that give space to the ferocity of the zombies during the assaults. Contrary to what one might think, the film is far from boring. The skill of the cast and, more importantly, the director, have turned "a chase movie" into a decent horror film about the living dead that crosses over into an enjoyable road movie.
In the cast: Brittany Allen, Juan Riedinger, Merwin Mondesir, Andrew Supanz, Kristopher Higgins, Michael Filipowich, Kyle McCachen, Nico David, Dylan Playfair, Warren E. Thomas, and Steve Judkins.
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Blood-red desert has been released in Italy (in DVD and Blu-ray limited edition formats) thanks to Midnight Factory. The Blu-ray edition comes with hardback slipcase and amaray with artwork inside which is the ever-present booklet with info and review of the film. In the special contents: Trailer, Backstage and On the Set.
Impeccable audio/video compartment.
Blu-ray technical data:
Duration: 93 min.
Format: 2.35:1 1080p
Audio: Italian 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
Subtitles: Italian
Extras: Trailer, Backstage, On the Set
