Lake Mungo

[Psycho Stitch]

In Theatre : January 29, 2010
Director(s): unknown

In Lake Mungo, sixteen-year-old Alice Palmer drowns while swimming in the local dam. When her body is recovered and a verdict of accidental death returned, her grieving family buries her. The family then experiences a series of strange and inexplicable events centered in and around their home. Profoundly unsettled, the Palmers seek the help of psychic and parapsychologist, Ray Kemeny. Ray discovers that Alice led a secret, double life. A series of clues lead the family to Lake Mungo where Alice’s secret past emerges.

The supernatural mystery is written and directed by Joel Anderson making his feature debut. Talia Zucker, Rosie Traynor, David Pledger and Martin Sharpe star. Georgie Nevile and David Rapsey produced.

[Dr. Briggs]

I don't know if this will be a tear-jerker or a white-knuckle thriller...

...All I know is that I LOL at the word "mungo" :p

[mrblue]

it sounds kinda lame

[Friday The 13th]

lol I agree mrblue

[Zach]

Credibly told via an assortment of talking heads, Lake Mungo recounts the drowning of troubled sixteen year-old Alice Palmer (Talia Zucker) in a dam near Ararat, Victoria. Whilst her body is positively identified by police, Alice’s parents, Russell and June (David Pledger and Rosie Traynor), and younger brother, Matthew (Martin Sharpe), are convinced her ghostly presence still lingers in their house.

Weeks after her death, photos of Alice standing eerily in the background turn up, prompting Matthew to set up a constant video camera in their living room. When it captures a figure moving about the house one night, the Palmers call up the help of radio psychic Ray (Steve Jodell), who helps the family uncover the reason for Alice’s ghostly presence and the significance of Lake Mungo, a dried up lake where she camped a few months before her death.

Every time this slow-burning thriller appears to be running out of wick, Anderson’s screenplay drops in an unexpected twist with impeccable timing. There’s a lot more to this ghost story than what first meets the eye, and its steady drip-fed method of storytelling, delivered via an entire cast of natural performances, makes captivating use of its 90 minute running time.

It’s somewhat remarkable the film is as engaging and atmospheric as it is considering there isn’t all that much action or drama, given most of the film consists of interviews, snippets of grainy video footage and a number of blurry photos. But what’s even more remarkable is that Anderson delivers genuine chills with next to no gore, few jump scares and all on a meagre budget. As such, Lake Mungo is essentially the antithesis of a typical Hollywood horror, and yet it works far more effectively than most. Why? Because it feels genuine.

A common problem I have with horror films is that, no matter how convincing the script and performances are, I’m always conscious of the fact that the characters are standing in front of a meticulously placed camera. It’s not nearly as frightening when you’re aware of the fact that behind said camera, a dozen or more crew members wait in silence. Much like The Blair Witch Project did before it, Lake Mungo has cleverly overcome this notion by making the camera feel a part of the film itself, using amateur handy-cam footage to unnerving effect. Even when cinematographer John Brawley does utilise traditional 35mm film, such as during the interview sequences, the film retains an eerie sense of reality through its convincing documentary structure. It’s all expertly underpinned by David Paterson’s brooding soundtrack, which further helps make Lake Mungo one of the most compelling and suspenseful horrors to emerge in recent years.

From: CUTPRINTREVIEW.COM

[Zach]

Okay this is my comment about this...I saw Lake Mungo more than a week ago,by watching it in....ah never mind...lol.. but I still can't shake it. I consider it as a brilliant piece of cinema. It is a film that draws you into the frame, both moving and still, but never feels like a cheap parlor trick. The scenes of entering Alice's room and the camera movement throughout the family home have a genuinely unnerving quality. I found them utterly gripping, and a little bit of horrifying. Not jump out of your seat terrifying, but a long, slow burn of fear. I was deeply moved by the film's final scene, and felt in a way as if we were all moving on, having obtained closure, there's that god-awful word that dictates a capping of grief according to acceptable community standards. I'm not surprised america want and love to remake this. The result will be predictable, but I'm hopeful it will serve to strengthen the reputation of this little Australian gem, this modest masterpiece.

[FreddysFingers]

Yeah, it does sound kinda lame.