Elisabeth and Brenda Fies

"Our mission is to spotlight edgy genre work and their fearless makers, and allow audiences to feel and see through a variety of women’s eyes. We prove to the world that the derogatory label “chick flick” (now applied to ANY film about or by a woman!!) needs to be retired. We want women’s hard work to be talked about and seen, so that there is indisputable proof that talented ladies are creating exciting multi-genre films, and can no longer be ignored." -Mission Statement of the Bleedfest Film Fest

Last year, Jen and I were invited to Bleedfest for the LA premiere of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. These lady and sister film makers, Elisabeth and Brenda Fies, were organizing the event - a feature fest in junction with the Viscera Film Fest - and I knew I had met someone special because she invited us into her home to crash. You see these sisters don't only organize the incredible, monthly indie film festival - known as Bleedfest - where independent film makers get a fabulous venue and audience with the best and the brightest in the LA indie scene, but they are independent film makers themselves (hence, they knew we were broke and might not be able to make it). But HA-ZA! we squeezed the last bit of juice out of a credit card and we were on our way! This little girl's dream come true (movie premiere in LA) was brought to you by VISA.

"The holocaust of creativity in modern indie films. With the exception of Lars Von Trier, Crispin Glover and The Short Bus guys, people aren't using the digital revolution to express themselves and push artistic boundaries. Instead they're copying Hollywood films and trying to break into an industry that's already died. Maybe it's a good thing there's no money left in filmmaking and we're all splintering off into niche distribution sources." -Elisabeth Fies

We played with their cult thriller, THE COMMUNE. Elisabeth wrote and directed the film, while Brenda produced. It's evident in every frame of this talented family's work that there is real talent there as well as a seriously dark and fucked sense of humor - you will dig it. There is something beyond impressive about independent film makers like these women - they work their asses off, they spend all their money to back a project, they put their heart into it, and it shows.


Here's an interesting fact for you aspiring film makers, some regions will buy a movie just because there is female nudity in it. Bare breasts. I kid you not. Not wanting to put any of her actresses through such a potentially uncomfortable situation, Elisabeth decided her character in the film would be the one that would take it off.


Now, you might be thinking - 'Oh, God. That poor woman. How awful.' Your own sexuality can be used against you only if you allow it to. Flashback to Bleedfest, we're all sitting in the darkened theater with THE COMMUNE playing. By the by, Elisabeth is a fantastic actress. You uber nerds already know that she's fought the MIGHTY MORPHIN' POWER RANGERS twice. She can play evil. She can also play a sexually liberated mother whose daughter is away from the weekend and wants to get her freak on. It's very sexy and Elisabeth is no victim. She is a strong actress and handles mature themes well. This can also be seen in her directing.

"Twin Peaks is the single biggest influence on me. After it, my two favorites are a tie: Sex, Lies, And Videotape and Terminator 2. Sex was when I realized I could make a movie too, and I could make it very personal and embarrassing and confessional. T2 was when I realized the best way to get a message out into the world was hidden in amazing entertainment value." -Elisabeth Fies

Brenda Fies is a producer and a damn good one. She's already produced four projects - THE COMMUNE, DISTRAUGHT, CONSUMED, and SCREAM QUEEN. DISTRAUGHT is the dark and and disturbing directorial and writing debut for Brenda and it's brilliant.



She is currently working on a new feature called I HATE LA which follows suicide attempts gone wrong - she would know all the gory details, too, as she has twenty five years as a registered nurse. That's right she is actually a hero. She is also incredibly down to earth and generous (as you might have guessed, these ladies are two of the best people on the planet) - there is a lot of medical subject matter in an upcoming project and Brenda was kind enough to see if my medical information was accurate and also, she's a producer, so she can tell you what you can do for the sake of the film and story.


I feel like I know these women and their family intimately and you might too if you have read Mom's Cancer. It is a very real and very beautiful beautiful graphic novel written by their brother, Brian Fies. When their mother in real life is diagnosed with lung cancer, Brian decided to make a comic strip about it. It's insightful, sad, raw, funny, and moving. I mention it now as I was given a copy by Elisabeth during a particularly difficult time and the book was a godsend.


Elisabeth and Brenda are a powerhouse, film making, sibling duo. Their work is edgy, brave, and imaginative. I can't hardly wait to see their new projects. They are so impassioned about independent film making that they put on these Bleedfest Film Festivals at their own expense.


If you are passionate about indie film making and an excellent venue to showcase new talent, then you can join Bleedfest - the community's generosity and support will help keep this festival healthy and alive. Here is the donation link, big spender (insert cheeky wink).

The Fies sisters are an excellent example of what Women In Horror Month is all about - being strong role models that not only make their own fantastic work but also give back to the community by supporting and promoting fellow indie film makers. Brilliant work all around, ladies! Now, get your butts to Bleedfest -- happening today and every first Sunday of the month.

~Sylv

Blood Sprayer's Top Ten of 2010

That's right. It's getting closer and closer. 2011.

Time to reflect on the past year and remember what made 2010 so wicked awesome. And with that, the TOP LISTS are out, in full force.

We are honored to have DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK make it onto the BLOOD SPRAYERS TOP TEN OF 2010 LIST. Written by the talented and insightful Cortez the Killer, DHIAT is in good company with THE COMMUNE, THE LAST EXORCISM, TRIANGLE, REC 2, THE TAINT, IN MEMORIUM, DAWNING, LAKE MUNGO, and THE DARKNESS WITHIN.

But what makes these films so gore~geous? And where do they appear on the list? Read the BLOODSPRAYER's FULL TOP TEN FILMS OF 2010 HERE to find out!

Thank you kindly to Cortez the Killer for including our DEAD HOOKER!

From Midnight, With Love's Top 11 Genre Films of 2010

Yes, 2010 was so fantastical that a mere "top ten" list could not suffice. Composed and written by our much loved writer, The Mike of FROM MIDNIGHT, WITH LOVE, the list includes the TOP ELEVEN GENRE films of 2010. Very suiting as we move into the 11th year in the 2000's. And, that's right, boys and grrls, you guessed it. DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has made the list!!

Thank you, the Mike, most kindly!!

So, where do we appear on the list? You'll have to read it to see. Get FROM MIDNIGHT, WITH LOVE's Top 11 Genre Films of 2010 LIST HERE!!

And make sure you check out the rest of the list! Also making the Top 11 of 2010 is Elisabeth Fies' THE COMMUNE and Eli Roth's THE LAST EXORCISM.

BITCH IS THE SHIT!

What is Bitch Media?

"B-Word Worldwide, doing business as Bitch Media, is the nonprofit organization best known for publishing the magazine Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture. Bitch Media’s mission is to provide and encourage an empowered, feminist response to mainstream media and popular culture.

We seek to be a fresh, revitalizing voice in contemporary feminism, one that welcomes complex arguments and refuses to ignore the contradictory and often uncomfortable realities of life in an unequivocally gendered world. We seek to forge connections between the messages we get through the media and pop culture and the commercial agendas of the corporations behind them, and we hope to foment an ongoing dialogue for readers that continues beyond the pages of the magazine and the website, which hosts blogs and podcasts.

Bitch has a diverse audience, which keeps the dialogue and the movement we’re a part of dynamic and strong. But Bitch is also uniquely situated to draw in young readers who are at a critical moment in their lives—a moment when they are discovering feminism and activism, finding answers to who they are, and questioning the definitions of gender, sexuality, power and agency prescribed by the mainstream media. Bitch not only plays a role in exploring these topics, it also provides a toolkit for engaging in analysis that promotes activism and impels social change."

Bitch. What an appropriate name. It is a huge pleasure/happiness of mine when I see women and feminists (of both fair sexes) take back a name that was originally meant to degrade and turn it into a symbol of strength. Much like the fabulously titled Ax Wound Zine, by the horror feminist and close friend, Hannah Neurotica, but more in a moment. Firstly, why did this company pick such a name? Some might argue that the name alone will keep some from reading. What does Bitch say about it?

"For as long as we’ve been publishing Bitch, there’s one question that gets asked over and over. And over. “Why did you choose that word as the name of your magazine?” While we’re aware that the magazine’s title, and the organization’s name, is off-putting to some people, we think it’s worth it. And here’s why.
The writer Rebecca West said, “People call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.” We’d argue that the word “bitch” is usually deployed for the same purpose. When it’s being used as an insult, “bitch” is an epithet hurled at women who speak their minds, who have opinions and don’t shy away from expressing them, and who don’t sit by and smile uncomfortably if they’re bothered or offended. If being an outspoken woman means being a bitch, we’ll take that as a compliment.
We know that not everyone’s down with the term. Believe us, we’ve heard all about it. But we stand firm in our belief that if we choose to reappropriate the word, it loses its power to hurt us. And if we can get people thinking about what they’re saying when they use the word, that’s even better.
Bitch. It’s a noun. It’s a verb. It’s a magazine. It’s a feminist media organization."

Today an article written by Hannah Neurotica graces Bitch entitled: Horror Show: Women Horror Directors to Watch. It is an extreme honor that Jen and myself were included in this list of female directors to watch. Hannah through her multiple publications, writings, podcasts, and being the founder of Women in Horror Month has introduced me to so many great female talents. This article also discusses 'The Commune' director and Bleedfest Film Festival director, Elisabeth Fies. The article also introduces readers to Amy Lynn Best - cofounder of the former Pretty/Scary now Fangirltastic and director of 'Severe Injuries', 'Splatter Movie', 'Spicy Sister Slumber Party', and Tiffany D. Jackson - director of 'The Field Trip' and webseries 'So I Married A Vampire'. Do read up on the fabulous hard work these ladies have done to obtain very little girl's dream - becoming a horror director with fucking sweet flicks!

Definitely go and check the full article out here. For those of you hungry for any delicious morsel --

"As little girls, Jen & Sylvia started acting and modeling, but as they got older they realized that identical female twins have limited options when it comes to film roles. As Sylvia puts it, “The roles got more and more repetitive—hot twin bikini girls, hot twin sorority girls, hot twin aliens…” With a desire to have more options, the multitalented sisters decided to venture into stunt work. And as they learned how to kick ass, they also jumped into launching Twisted Twins Productions and writing, producing, directing, and starring in their first feature."

For those of you, boys and girls, that are reading and love this zine and want to do more - you can. Bitch has been going strong for 14 years thanks to subscribers, donors, and contributors. Buy a zine, pass it along to your friends, or make a donation. Every bit helps keeping this a witty, smart, and thought-provoking feminist critique and analysis of pop culture alive!

~Sylv

Bloody Good Time at Bleedfest

In conjunction with the Viscera Film Fest, Bleedfest was a festival in which features from female film makers could be featured (this sentence was brought to you by the letter 'f'). Bleedfest was brought to everyone by Elisabeth Fies - director, writer, producer, actor extraordinaire.

"Bleedfest is a one-day Los Angeles, California event screening three feature length horror/thriller films directed by women! On Sunday, July 18th 2010 at the Two Roads theater, you can see The Commune (directed by Elisabeth Fies), Dead Hooker in a Trunk (directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska) and Amanda Gusack's rare In Memorium as an all-day triple feature."

These Fies women intrigue me. Let's get a closer look. Their shorts - 'Consumed' (Elisabeth Fies' short) and 'Distraught' (Brenda Fies' short) - both won awards at the Viscera Film Fest. You know the old stereotype that girls like cute and cuddly things. Well, if there is something cute and cuddly in either of these provocative film makers' films - it most likely will be dead and mutilated by the time the credits role.



Three features were shown that day in a fabulous triple bill - 'In Memorium' by Amanda Gusack. Which is a paranormal thriller shot via surveillance camera as a young man with his live in girlfriend capture his last days as he dies from terminal cancer. However, the motion sensitive cameras don't just catch the couple, but something else. Something very fucked up. This gem is ultimately what 'Paranormal Activity' ripped off. This one is actually really creepy. You'll find yourself looking over the footage with our doomed hero wonder what in the fuck is going on.

Next was Jenine Mayring's short 'Simone.' Check the trailer --



The second is play was 'Dead Hooker in a Trunk'. Sitting in a darkened theater, watching the final cut play in front of an audience for the first time is beyond stressful/exciting. When the first laugh happens, I feel calmer. Thank you to the audience that laughed, gasped, and cheered. While you were watching the movie, I was stealing glances at you. The film was followed by a Q & A session where we - Jen Soska, CJ Wallis, Loyd Bateman, and myself - answered questions about the film and the making of it.



The third film was 'The Commune' directed by Elisabeth Fies. It is a sexualized, psychological thriller about a young girl, Jenny, who is forced to spend time with her estranged father at his Commune. Shitty custody deal, eh? But her dad seems nice enough and she meets a total emo babe, so the summer should rock. It does not rock for her. The film however, does rock. Elisabeth's portrayal of Jenny's mother is raunchy and amazing. This lady is ballsy and there is one scene (I'm not going to spoil it) that I had to turn to her in the theater to be all like 'DAMN, girl.' It was that rad.


It was a cool fest. Cool folks were in attendance - including our scream queen pals, Tara Cardinal and Devanny Pinn - and very radly, Brea Grant came by to check our hooker out and, yay team hooker - she liked it! We brought a box of Hooker swag. Pimped our wares, pimped the film, and pimped our friendship. It was a great event.


Thank you to the Two Roads Theater for housing all the festivities and the Fies for having us at their party!

xo
~Jen and Sylv

'BLEEDFEST' TO BE DHIAT'S LA PREMIERE

Love love love LA. Jen and I try to head south to California as much as we can. Living in beautiful, but often rainy Vancouver, makes the sunny state just even sweeter.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the LA premiere screening of 'Dead Hooker in a Trunk' to take place at this year's 'Bleedfest'. 'Bleedfest' is a film festival created by Elisabeth Fies -- a fellow filmmaker and activist -- who is keeping the spirit of 'Women in Horror' month strong all year long. Elisabeth's new film, 'The Commune', looks sick by the by. But I'm the kind of gal who is a sucker for coming of age, psychotic new-age cult thrillers that fuck up your head. Who isn't?



'Bleedfest' will be take place Sunday July 18th at the Two Roads Theater in Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles. It will be playing as an adjunct to Pretty/Scary's 'Viscera Festival' on July 17th, which will feature horror shorts by women -- even a little Dead Hooker for you, boys and girls. Speaking of which, it was Pretty/Scary's Heidi Martinuzzi that first introduced Hooker to Elisabeth during WiH month which was beyond rad.


For those of you who aren't familiar with her work, Heidi is the co-creator and editor-in-chief of Pretty/Scary -- the web community devoted to the study of women in horror. You can see her sharp intellect and smart writing everywhere from numerous online and print entertainment magazines like Film Threat, CFQ, Femme Fatales, Zink, Bloody-Disgusting.com, Dark Side, ShockTillYouDrop.com, Hustler, Fangoria, and About.com. She is also on the nomination committee for the Scream Awards. Currently, she is directing and producing a documentary about women who are married to horror filmmakers titled 'Brides of Horror'. Last time we were in town we missed meeting Miss Martinuzzi, this time we get to hang.

There looks to be a weekend long cool selection of features and shorts from female horror filmmakers from all over lined up, so come on down. See the indies, support the artists, meet some rad film folks. Looking very forward to this event -- this will be the first time we see the new cut of Hooker play in front of an audience, so if you can make it down, we would dig to see how you dig the film!

xo
Jen and Sylv