GREENFIELD — If you like your scary movies with a bit of thrill, mystery and local flavor, then the locally-made “Silenced” may be worth seeing Thursday night.
“Silenced” is a “psychological thriller horror” according to writer-director Julian Lowenthal, inspired partially by modern horror and thriller classics, as well as Turners Falls, where the independent movie was shot.
“I really like how Turners Falls looked,” Lowenthal, who lives in the village said, noting that the town used to have a desolate, gray and dark look when he would perform at Shea Theater as a teenager.
And that teenage haunt is also one location in the town that the movie was filmed.
The film, produced by Vermage Productions and in association with Baer Budget Films, tells the story of a group of thieves that have been on a burglary spree, robbing homes in the Turners Falls area. Their biggest target, though, is the Shea Theater, where a large production has recently wrapped.
When burglarizing the homes in town though, the criminals murder the aunt of the mute protagonist Alexis.
And this leads Alexis to seek revenge.
According to Lowenthal, the movie is more than just a revenge movie, however. It also features elements of hope and determination, he said.
He also wants the movie to be viewed as more than a “B movie.” He hopes viewers find the movie enjoyable, which shows homage to films like “Psycho,” “No Country for Old Men” or “Aliens,” building suspense without as much gore as most horror films seem to do.
“A few years ago, I was bothered by amount of horror that was more slasher,” he said. “I wanted to bring back the campy horror sort of film.”
Lowenthal also wants the movie to be a vehicle to draw more filmmakers to the area.
“I see western Massachusetts being the next Hollywood without the smog and traffic but with water,” he said.
“Silenced” premiers Thursday at Garden Cinemas on Main Street, with showings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Following the premiere, Lowenthal expects the film to be shown in festivals in the area.
For a preview of the film and more information, visit: silencedthemovie.com.
You can reach
Dan Desrochers at:
ddesrochers@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 257