Below Zero (2011 film) explained

Below Zero
Director:	Justin Thomas Ostensen
Producer:	Judy Fox Chad Kowalchuk
Starring:	Edward Furlong Michael Berryman Kristin Booth
Music:	Jeff Tymoschuk
Cinematography:	Norm Li
Editing:	Justin Thomas Ostensen
Distributor:	Screen Media
Country:	Canada
Language:	English

Below Zero is a 2011 Canadian thriller-horror film. It is directed by Justin Thomas Ostensen, and stars Edward Furlong, Michael Berryman and Kristin Booth.

Plot

A screenwriter suffering from writer's block locks himself in a meat locker. There, he hopes to come up with the perfect story for a horror film about a man trapped in a meat locker. He imagines a story in which a man is menaced by an evil butcher. However, reality and fiction begin to merge, and his imaginary butcher turns into a real threat.

Cast

• Edward Furlong as Jack/Frank
• Michael Berryman as Gunner
• Kristin Booth as Penny
• Dee Hannah as Mrs. Hatcher
• Michael Eisner as Monty
• Sadie Madu

Production

Writer Signe Olynyk developed writer's block whilst writing the film. In order to overcome it, she locked herself in a meat locker for five days to develop the story.^[1]

In February 2010, it was revealed that director Justin Thomas Ostensen would start filming in March 2010 in Canada. Then in March, The Hills Have Eyes actor Michael Berryman was announced to appear in the film as Gunnar.^[2] Edward Furlong was also announced in April 2012.^[3] In the same month Kristin Booth, Michael Eisner, Sadie Madu and Dee Hannah were also added.^[4]

Filming took place in Alberta, Canada.

The film was originally titled Below Zero 3D but in January 2012, it was revealed the 3D had been dropped from the film.^[5]

Release

The world premiere was at the Calgary International Film Festival, 18 September 2011.

The film had 31 official selections at film festivals, including:^[6]

• A Night of Horror International Film Festival. Sydney, Australia (March 2012)
• Arizona International Film Festival
• Austin Film Festival. Austin, Texas, US (October 2011)
• Derby City Film Festival. Louisville, Kentucky, US (February 2012)
• Garden State Film Festival. Asbury Park, New Jersey, US (March 2012)
• Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival. Los Angeles, California, US (March 2012)
• Indie Horror Film Festival. Chicago, Illinois, US (March 2012)

It was released on home video 28 August 2012.^[7]

Reception

Mike Saulters from Slackerwood.com gave a mixed review of the film, saying, "the story becomes a muddled mess that doesn't have a clear destination" and calls Kristin Booth's character "annoying as hell". However, Saulters praises the acting of Edward Furlong and Michael Berryman noting they are the "highlight of the movie".^[8] Martin Unsworth of Starburst rated the film with 8 out of 10 stars and wrote that he expected it to be a routine slasher film, but it turned out to be "fresh and surprising".^[9]

Awards

Won

• San Diego Film Festival

Best Screenplay^[10]

• Toronto Independent Film Festival: Best Sci-Fi/Horror Film^[11]
• Fright Night Film Fest: Best Soundtrack
• Indie Horror Film Festival: Best Special Effects, Special Recognition^[12]
• Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival: Best Screenplay^[13]
• Prestige Film Awards: Gold Award for Best Script, Gold Award for Best Art Direction^[14]
• American International Film Festival: Best Horror Movie^[15]

Nominated

• Hoboken International Film Festival: Best of the Festival, Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Furlong), Best Actress (Booth), Best Editor^[16]
• Indie Horror Film Festival: Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Director, Best Feature Film.

External links

• • • Official Website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Read the Screenplay. belowzeromovie.com. 2013-04-19.
2. Web site: Michael Berryman Deep Frozen in 'Below Zero 3D'!. Bloody Disgusting. Miska. Brad. 2010-03-03. 2013-04-19.
3. Web site: Go Below Zero in 3D with Edward Furlong. Dread Central. Barton. Steve. 2012-04-28. 2013-04-19.
4. Web site: Edward Furlong Slips 'Below Zero'. Dark Horizons. Franklin. Garth. 2010-04-29. 2013-04-19.
5. Web site: Edward Furlong's 'Below Zero' Has A Trailer, No Longer Called 'Below Zero 3D'. Bloody Disgusting. Dickson. Evan. 2012-01-25. 2013-04-19.
6. Web site: Below Zero Screenings. Below Zero Movie. 2013-04-20.
7. Web site: Trailer: Edward Furlong, Michael Berryman in Below Zero. Turek. Ryan. Shock Till You Drop. 2012-08-08. 2013-12-04.
8. Web site: AFF Review: Below Zero. slackerwood.com. Saulters. Mike. 2011-11-01. 2013-04-19.
9. Web site: Movie Review: BELOW ZERO. Unsworth. Martin. Starburst. 2012-09-21. 2013-12-04.
10. Web site: Winners. San Diego Film Festival. 2013-04-19. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131022195001/http://sdfilmfest.com/winners/. 2013-10-22.
11. Web site: Winners. Toronto Independent Film Festival. 2013-04-19. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130908162910/http://film-fest.ca/2012lineup.htm. 2013-09-08.
12. Web site: Indie Horror Film Festival 2012. indiehorrorfest. 2013-04-19.
13. Web site: 2012 Award Winners. fearandfantasy.com. 2013-04-20.
14. Web site: Prestige Award for Film - 2011 Winners. prestigefilmaward.com. 2013-04-20.
15. Web site: Fantastic Planet Film fest. yelp.com.au. 2013-04-20.
16. Web site: Winners and Nominees. hoboekninternationalfilmfestival.com. 2013-04-19. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130420092221/http://www.hobokeninternationalfilmfestival.com/winners-and-nominees/. 2013-04-20.