The Overlook: Savageland

(imdb.com)

Mockumentaries are a hit-or-miss game in filmmaking. If done well, these films feel entirely nonfiction. Done poorly, and a mockumentary can seem flimsy, fake and ultimately unwatchable. That's why coming across an effective one that provides grounded realism with just enough supernatural aspects can be a great discovery. Films like The Bay or The Conspiracy tie dark and twisted realism with just enough slow-burning sprinkles of horror to become impressive - and fictional - cultural pieces; seamlessly tying in political themes and alarmingly realistic accounts to make for some truly terrifying horrors. Savageland is attempts to do similar.

Savageland takes place shortly after an entire town is mysteriously murdered. The sole survivor of the event - an undocumented immigrant - is instantly blamed. However, his photos from the event paint a very different picture. The film stars Noe Montes as Francisco Salazar, the sole survivor of the event, Monica Davis (California Solo), Len Wein (Gotham) and Edward Green (Distraction) play the most relevant interviewees, Monica, Gus and Len, respectively. Each of these cast members cater to the film's real-life point of view and provide some really grounded performances.

The best part about Savageland is its cultivated sense of suspense. Throughout the entire film, the interviewees continue to negate and question the released photographs validity. While the audience is led to believe Salazar is innocent, they can't help but wonder if it’s true. It's a really interesting and politically-fueled direction bolstered by the fact that the suspect is an undocumented immigrant and all that means in a trial. These political tones aren't so glaring that they distract from the film's fictional purpose, but they provide enough incite to help viewers understand how different ethnic and cultural backgrounds are handled in criminal proceedings.

Savageland takes awhile to really get going. Its attempts to stay closely connected to a timeline and unveiling remove some of the thrill of what makes true crime documentaries truly engrossing. With zero dramatizations, far too many interviewees and a host of blurry photographs meant to keep audiences' attention, Savageland does lose some points for its tedious pacing. This isn't something particularly terrible though, because the film manages to reach a climax that is at least somewhat compelling. A lack of concrete answers additionally lead to some frustration, but like many true-crime documentaries, sometimes the unanswered questions are what makes the result so disturbing.

While the film does suffer from lengthy explanations, the films best moments are entertaining enough to warrant a watch. Some of the more scary doctored photos provide a new and fresh take on what zombie films can be. In a world of redundant tales of survival, catering to a band of misfits brought together by the apocalypse, Savageland is completely different. Even when it becomes shaky, you can't help but continue onward, almost wishing that a companion film would be released of the actual events.