If anyone says that David Stagnari film Catharsis is not some of the best film making they have ever seen, then they should go get themselves a better education in film. I’ll be the first person to admit that I’m not one for films that have a unique art house vision to them, but Catharsis has got to be one of the best short films to even be conceived. Now I praise a lot of short horror films for their great shots and great story, but that’s always based more on the films entertainment value. Most filmmakers want to entertain. Davie Stagnari want to do more than that to his viewers. He wants you to feel every bit of pain and laughter of his characters, and he wants each shot to hit you like a ton of bricks. This is the type of film that Catharsis is.
Catharsis is unlike any film you will ever see. Although it’s not a feature or a short film for that matter. (Running a little over forty minutes.) Catharsis is a film that portrays so much emotion and takes you on a dark ride though the human mind of the films subject. The title says it all, and the film is in fact about a guy whom is dealing with problems and is using art therapy to help him escape his emotions. However as he begins his journey his thoughts and emotions are revealed to us as he walks every step of the way though the film.
There is a lot to be said about this film and about film maker David Stagnari. I find it hard to write the words to express how awe inspiring this film is. I’m never in my life seen such great cinematography in a film that was made by an independent film maker, none the less this being Dave’s first film. There is so much vision in the film, and I was able to pick up on some of the influences of other directors and writers of the horror genre. However Stagnari makes this film his own, and gives us a fine original polished piece of cinema. I honestly don’t need to get to detailed on the acting, writing, directing and editing of this film. Because to me, they get no better than this. What I see with Catharsis is one of the best pieces of artistic cinema I’ve ever had the pleasure of viewing.
As far as the overall production value of the film, once again I have to give the film praise. It took David Stagnari a few years to complete this film. However with a budget of only seven thousand dollars he was able to do what very few first time film makers are able to do. I hear far to many film makers say that they could of made their films better if they had more money, but where they fail is that they need to get their work out there to the public right away, so they sacrifice their vision for their fifteen minutes of fame. Not with Stagnari, he’s one of the very few filmmakers with the discipline to take his idea and put it together in a wise and timely fashion. And the high quality production value in this film shows just how disciplined he is. You get nothing but top notch independent film making at its best.
Another topic of interest in the film is the great use of special effects in this film. Although we don’t get the normal blood and guts that we get in all the horror films out there. We get some of the sickest and most creative make-up effects to ever dawn the screen. I don’t know how they pulled it off, but there is a scene in a bathroom, that has to be one of the best looking effects I’ve seen in an independent picture. In fact if your a horror fan and your not into films like Catharsis, you need to check out this one scene. It’s mind-blowing, and creates a rebirth within the story.
Overall, words can not describe how well made this film is. I praised David Stagnari when he shared his visions and ideas with us in the documentary Horror Business, He’s a guy who obviously knows his shit when it comes to horror, and with Catharsis it shows that not only can he talk the talk, but he sure as hell can walk the walk. And walk it better than most Hollywood directors can. I normally don’t talk about film makers like this, but if there is one guy that people should be investing their money in; in Hollywood or as just an independent investor. David Stagnari would be a safe choice. Hell! If I had the money to spend I’d fund his next film. That’s how great of a film maker he is, and Catharsis shows me that.
There is a limited supply of only one thousand DVD’s available of Catharsis, which you can only buy though the website listed above for the film. I highly recommend that any independent film maker whom wants to see how a real independent film should be made to guy get your copy of this film before they are all sold out. This is film making at it’s best.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
