Sea of Dust (film)
Encyclopedia
Sea of Dust is a 2008 horror-fantasy film starring Tom Savini
and Ingrid Pitt
that takes its name from the boundary separating reality from religious "truth," a boundary epitomized by Prester John
's Sea of Dust.
, Sea incorporates the Prester John
myth into its heady stew of surrealism
, social satire
, and comic invention. Pitt went as far as to call her final screen appearance "one of the best films I ever worked on."
While the tongue-in-cheek "horror" film garnered largely positive reviews in the horror press, including such publications as Canada's Rue-Morgue, the U.K.'s Gorezone, and America's Fangoria
, its Midnight Movie structure and social critiques also served to polarize audiences. The film can be read as a dark satire of George W. Bush's War on Terror
and the rise of Neo-Con politics, as well as a Lynchian fable of sexual repression. "(SEA is) at once a black slapstick comedy, a twisted horror tale, a stylish period piece and a biting religious satire," wrote Fangoria.
Originally shot in 2006-2007, SEA OF DUST suffered post-production delays attributable to the illness of star Ingrid Pitt, which caused extensive structural revisions (detailed in the Region 1 DVD commentary). Regardless, the film obtained strong festival response, winning both the Rhode Island International Film Festival
and Fright Night Film Festival, and opening Fangoria's Trinity of Terrors in Las Vegas in 2009.
The film also gained the support of cult directors Jean Rollin
and Ken Russell
, no strangers to the incorporation of surreal elements into a horror context, which boosted SEA OF DUST's standing.
In August 2010, SEA OF DUST was released in North America by Cinema Epoch
DVD. This package included three trailers, all of which would be banned when the film went to cable TV. Despite the film's satiric intent, the trailers were deemed "too bloody" for mass consumption, as was a fourth that had been created as a tribute to Ingrid Pitt (who passed in November, 2010).
The same month marked the publication of the McFarland Press book, "Ingrid Pitt, Queen of Horror," by Bobb Cotter. Mr. Cotter called SEA OF DUST "one of the strongest anti-intolerance statements made in recent film history" and one of Ingrid Pitt's "best latter-day showcases."
Sea of Dust wins "Best Picture" at the Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival.
September 1, 2009
Sea of Dust wins "Best of the Fest" at the Fright Night Film Festival.
October 30th, 2009
Sea of Dust opens the 2009 Fangoria Trinity of Terrors Film Festival.
Tom Savini
Thomas Vincent "Tom" Savini is an American actor, stuntman, director, award-winning special effects and makeup artist. He is known for his work on the Living Dead films directed by George A. Romero, as well as Creepshow, The Burning, Friday the 13th, The Prowler, and Maniac. He directed the 1990...
and Ingrid Pitt
Ingrid Pitt
Ingrid Pitt was an actress best known for her work in horror films of the 1960s and 1970s.-Background:Pitt was born Ingoushka Petrov in Warsaw, Poland to a German father of Russian descent and a Polish Jewish mother. During World War II she and her family were imprisoned in a concentration camp...
that takes its name from the boundary separating reality from religious "truth," a boundary epitomized by Prester John
Prester John
The legends of Prester John were popular in Europe from the 12th through the 17th centuries, and told of a Christian patriarch and king said to rule over a Christian nation lost amidst the Muslims and pagans in the Orient. Written accounts of this kingdom are variegated collections of medieval...
's Sea of Dust.
Production
A stylistic tribute to the sixties work of Hammer Films and Italian genre director Mario BavaMario Bava
Mario Bava was an Italian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer remembered as one of the greatest names from the "golden age" of Italian horror films.-Biography:Mario Bava was born in San Remo, Liguria, Italy...
, Sea incorporates the Prester John
Prester John
The legends of Prester John were popular in Europe from the 12th through the 17th centuries, and told of a Christian patriarch and king said to rule over a Christian nation lost amidst the Muslims and pagans in the Orient. Written accounts of this kingdom are variegated collections of medieval...
myth into its heady stew of surrealism
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
, social satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
, and comic invention. Pitt went as far as to call her final screen appearance "one of the best films I ever worked on."
While the tongue-in-cheek "horror" film garnered largely positive reviews in the horror press, including such publications as Canada's Rue-Morgue, the U.K.'s Gorezone, and America's Fangoria
Fangoria
Fangoria is an American magazine devoted to horror and exploitation films, which has a number of associated brands:* Fangoria Comics* Fangoria Films* Fangoria RadioFangoria may also refer to:* Fangoria , a Spanish electro pop band...
, its Midnight Movie structure and social critiques also served to polarize audiences. The film can be read as a dark satire of George W. Bush's War on Terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
and the rise of Neo-Con politics, as well as a Lynchian fable of sexual repression. "(SEA is) at once a black slapstick comedy, a twisted horror tale, a stylish period piece and a biting religious satire," wrote Fangoria.
Originally shot in 2006-2007, SEA OF DUST suffered post-production delays attributable to the illness of star Ingrid Pitt, which caused extensive structural revisions (detailed in the Region 1 DVD commentary). Regardless, the film obtained strong festival response, winning both the Rhode Island International Film Festival
Rhode Island International Film Festival
Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival takes place every year in Providence and Newport, Rhode Island as well as satellite locations throughout the state. Started in 1997, the Festival is produced by Flickers, the Newport Film/Video Society & Arts Collaborative, a 501 non-profit...
and Fright Night Film Festival, and opening Fangoria's Trinity of Terrors in Las Vegas in 2009.
The film also gained the support of cult directors Jean Rollin
Jean Rollin
Jean Michel Rollin Roth Le Gentil was a French film director, actor, and novelist best known for his films in the fantastique genre such as the vampire film Le Viol du Vampire and the first French gore film Les Raisins de la Mort .-Early life:Jean Rollin was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine , France to...
and Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
, no strangers to the incorporation of surreal elements into a horror context, which boosted SEA OF DUST's standing.
In August 2010, SEA OF DUST was released in North America by Cinema Epoch
Cinema Epoch
Cinema Epoch is an independent film distribution & production company based in the U.S. It was founded by distribution veteran and filmmaker Gregory Hatanaka. The company specializes in foreign, independent and cult cinema. The company's first release was the martial arts classic Master of the...
DVD. This package included three trailers, all of which would be banned when the film went to cable TV. Despite the film's satiric intent, the trailers were deemed "too bloody" for mass consumption, as was a fourth that had been created as a tribute to Ingrid Pitt (who passed in November, 2010).
The same month marked the publication of the McFarland Press book, "Ingrid Pitt, Queen of Horror," by Bobb Cotter. Mr. Cotter called SEA OF DUST "one of the strongest anti-intolerance statements made in recent film history" and one of Ingrid Pitt's "best latter-day showcases."
News
November 11, 2008Sea of Dust wins "Best Picture" at the Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival.
September 1, 2009
Sea of Dust wins "Best of the Fest" at the Fright Night Film Festival.
October 30th, 2009
Sea of Dust opens the 2009 Fangoria Trinity of Terrors Film Festival.