Coven (2000)

Director:

Mark Borchardt

Writer:

Mark Borchardt (writer)

Genre:

Short | Drama | Horror

Plot:

An alcohol/drug abuser re-examines his life until he nearly dies from an overdose. Then a friend convinces him to join a self-help group which turns out to be demonic. |

Plot Keywords:

Forest | Elevator | Car | Occult | Alcoholic

Cast

Mark Borchardt	...	Mike
Tom Schimmels	...	Steve
Miriam Frost	...	Sharon
Tommy Dallace	...	Doc
Robert Richard Jorge	...	Goodman
Sherrie Beaupre	...	Daesa
Jack Bennett	...	Group Member
Mark Nadolski	...	Group Member
Scott Berendt	...	Group Member
Barbara Zanger	...	Group Member
Donna McMaster	...	Group Member
Mike Schank	...	Group Member
Cindy Snyder	...	Group Member
Nancy Williams	...	Group Member
Wayne Buboise	...	Group Member

Runtime:

40 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Filming Locations:

Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, USA

Company:

Northwest Productions

Trivia:

In the "elevator sequence", Tommy Dallace is actually wearing his own drivers license on his medical lab coat instead of the standard hospital identification badge. Dallace was initially considered for the lead role in the movie, but was ultimately deemed to be "too good looking" for the part.

Goofs:

Continuity: Several actors' hairstyles change several times throughout the movie. This is the result of a shooting schedule that took several years.

Quotes:

Old Man In Dream: It's all right. It's okay. You have something to live for. Jesus told me so.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "100 höjdare: Världens skönaste land - Del 7 (#6.7)" (2008)

Disregarding 'American Movie' this is quality...

The style, pace and mood of this short distills the ethic of 70s horror to it's purest form. While Borchardt could be criticised for his poor exposures and lazy overdubbing (only noticeable if you know in advance) he should be commended for stunning use of bleak Wisconsin landscapes and music in black and white to create a dark mood. The long shots of deserted winding roads, desolate snowy trees and the drive in theatre are exceptional cinematography without doubt. Elements of living dead, wicker man and evil dead. And the ending is impressively abrupt. Watched in conjunction with American movie gives fascinating insight, but i suggest seeing this before watching the documentary - I hope he makes more horror. And i would like to see his basic style used more often in today's age of cgi and special effects horror. If i was producing a Hollywood horror i would employ him as associate producer. Respect.