By now it is no secret that I am a fan of Scorpio Films and director Richard Griffin. He has released some of the best indie films I have seen in recent years and is still turning out amazing release after release. Today I caught word that his new dark drama, Normal, would be making it’s premier very soon. Check out the press release below:
Scorpio Film Releasing, New England’s most prolific feature film production company will be premiering their newest film, the dark drama, Normal on the celebrated Vimeo on Demand platform. Directed by multiple award-winning Director Richard Griffin (Exhumed) from a script by acclaimed playwright Leonard Schwartz (Murder University), Normal is a highly imaginative and often anarchistic film.
In Normal, Jim (Michael Reed) – a lonely, troubled young man who works as an apartment superintendent, is replaying his tortured past. Through a series of flashbacks, and interactions with the mysterious tenants he is surrounded by, we not only learn of his dark secrets, but also what it means to be normal. The answers he finds in his journey will shatter not only his perceptions of the past, but also his fragile grip on reality
Director Richard Griffin explains, “When I received the screenplay by Lenny Schwartz, I was completely floored not only at the emotional content of the material, but it’s originality. I can honestly say without the threat of sounding pretentious that audiences have never seen anything like Normal. It’s almost unclassifiable. It’s not a horror film in the strictest sense, but it has horrific elements — its content being more emotionally violent than physical. It’s not just a straight forward drama or psychological thriller either. It’s a profoundly moving and, in parts, disturbing character study that I believe will haunt people for days after viewing it. I am honored to have been a part of such a unique vision.”
Writer Lenny Schwartz adds, “Normal for me is the proudest I have been of anything I have written in my life thus far, hands down. I knew when it was finished it would be a hell of a challenge, production wise, directing wise, performance wise. I am so fortunate to have Richard directing anything I do but especially this one, as he brought the screenplay to another level. As did the crew, building and creating the sets…Ken Willinger’s amazing cinematography…and man, the performances are off the charts. Michael Reed is stunning in this. His performance is something unique to behold. “
Michael Reed (The Disco Exorcist) who plays the lead role of Jim says, “shooting a feature film in 10 days has it challenges. Typically when one hears that you’ll be shooting a feature in a short amount of time, it’s a slightly scary feeling – especially when you’re in almost every scene. A lot of work and preparation goes into shooting a feature, and we were lucky to be working the majority of scenes on a sound stage where we built our own apartment building set.”
Normal is now available for purchase or rent at: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/31101
Fans of moody and atmospheric films should really check this one out. Also, keep an eye out for my review coming soon!
