Theres an ever-expanding genre scene in Ithaca, the Central New York city that hosts both Cornell University and Ithaca College. For the past four years, the Ithaca International Fantastic Film Festival has brought some of the best worldwide genre films to the citys Cinemapolis under the eye of founder and artistic director Hugues Barbier. When the fest isnt on however, Barbier is keeping the spirit alive at Cinemapolis Fantastic Film Friday series. This week, he presents an absolute must-see: the Álex de la Iglesia-produced Shrews Nest, from directors Juanfer Andrés & Esteban Roel.
The feature debut of Andrés & Roel, Shrews Nest (Musarañas) was one of the best films of 2014, a rich, Hitchcockian melodrama/thriller that turns supremely warped as it rages toward conclusion. The film features an utterly standout performance from Macarena Gómez (who you might know from Dagon) and is really something special. Unfortunately, despite a World Premiere in the Toronto International Film Festivals Vanguard Section and a U.S. Premiere at Austins Fantastic Festand quite well-received showings at the recent Stanley Film Festival in Coloradothis really wonderful horror movie has yet to secure U.S. distribution.
Which means, if youre a resident of Ithaca or neighboring cities and towns and an admirer of fantastic international genre, this might be one of your only chances to see Shrews Nest.
In the film, its Spain, 1950s. Montse’s agoraphobia keeps her locked in a sinister apartment in Madrid and her only link to reality is the little sister she lost her youth raising. But one day, a reckless young neighbor, Carlos, falls down the stairwell and drags himself to their door. Someone has entered the shrew’s nest… perhaps he’ll never leave.
Shrews Nest screens Friday, May 15th at Ithacas Cinemapolis (120 E. Green St., 14850) at 9:30 p.m. For tickets, visit Cinemapolis. You can see the Shrew’s Nest trailer, below.
