Trailer For ‘The Final’: Can Hollywood Go Too Far?
Nov 16, 2009 by Paul YoungThe AFM (American Film Market) is a very big deal. Every year thousands of people attend and hundreds of films are shown by hopeful indie …
The AFM (American Film Market) is a very big deal. Every year thousands of people attend and hundreds of films are shown by hopeful indie filmmakers trying to get picked up by a studio for a distribution deal. The festival ended last week but the deals are still coming – one of those deals was between After Dark Films and Agora Entertainment for their horror film The Final.
The Final will join 7 other films in the After Dark Horrorfest 4: 8 Films to Die For which include Hidden, Dread, The Graves, Lake Mungo and ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction. Here is the official synopsis for The Final (as well as a trailer for the film):
“In the scenic and remote county of Rocky Branch, Texas, the Workley ranch house would become the infamous scene known internationally on the internet as “The Final.”
“Dane, an awkward student with a deadly vendetta and suicidal tendencies, leads a group of outcasts who plot to avenge the years of humiliation they faced by the popular students at Hohn High School. Employing ideas inspired both from their classes as well as from horror films they watched, the outcasts turn the tables on the popular students who made sport of them.”
“After receiving a lake-house granted to him in his uncle’s will, Dane and his friends, Jack, Ravi, Andy and Emily prepare for a single night that will leave their tormentors scarred for life… physically and emotionally.”
The Final Trailer from AGORA ENTERTAINMENT on Vimeo.
The film, like most never-before-heard-of movies, stars some relative unknown actors and actresses – Marc Donato (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Jascha Washington, Whitney Hoy, Lindsay Seidel and Justin Arnold. Newcomer Joey Stewart is behind the camera for the first time working from Jason Kabolati’s script, who also produced The Final. Serving as executive producers on the film were Edward Lewis Von Hohn and Bill Randle.
It may be hard to discern but the question the mask tormentor asks at the end of the trailer is “What did you do to deserve this?”
That’s my question as well.
Take a look at the poster for The Final; a group of students with guns standing in a school hallway with other kids laying dead or dying in front of them. Remind you of anything? It should; 10 years ago mass murderers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School with guns and homemade bombs then killed 13 people, injured 21 others and then turn the guns on themselves, all in the name of revenge for being bullied.
I realize this isn’t the first time a movie has been made that hearkens back to the events surrounding April 20, 1999. Gus Van Sant told a very similar story in 2003 with his movie Elephant but that wasn’t a glorification or praise of the massacre at Columbine. It was more of a story that told of the day’s events through multiple eyes. The Final is going in a whole different direction by justifying the violence against the teens’ tormentors. Director Joey Stewart said this about The Final in a press release:
“The Final is about being picked on, bullied, and tormented, and the retaliation and revenge that it incurs. As the characters feel that life has no meaning, they make a pact for revenge that will teach these kids a valuable life lesson. It’s about what happens when people are pushed to the brink of despair, and the consequences that the responsible parties must face.”
After Dark EVP Stephanie Caleb added this statement that I personally find chilling:
“This haunting and vengeful film is a perfect addition to this year’s line-up. Anyone who has experienced the difficulties of high school will find themselves empathizing with both the nerds and the popular kids alike.”
It’s almost like this studio is saying “If you ever had a bad word to say about someone in high school, don’t be surprised when they justifiably come down on you and your friends and kill you.”
I realize this is a fictional story of horror but is this really the message Hollywood wants to send to impressionable teens? Maybe the studio just didn’t see the connection – making a film that justifies teen on teen violence – but I would think that someone along the chain would have seen the connection. We already know that Harris and Klebold were recreating a scene they saw in The Matrix and that music and video games glorifying excessive amount of violence against people played a major role in their lives (yeah, yeah, violent video games don’t make kids violent – it was all part of the pattern here).
Would it be much of a stretch to think that After Dark and Agora Entertainment should have taken a step back, looked at the bigger picture and said “We should change the motive behind the killers’ revenge”? Where does Hollywood draw the line in what they’re willing to put on the screen?
It took 10 years before someone justified the bullying the Columbine killers received that made them snap. If the same timeline holds true, then in another 2 years someone is going to make a movie about the terrorists of 9/11 being heroes for striking back at their “tormentors.” Then the director will make a ridiculous statement about “what happens when people are pushed to the brink of despair, and the consequences that the responsible parties must face.” That would be followed by the EVP of a studio praising their decision to pick the film up for distribution by saying, “This haunting and vengeful film is a perfect addition to this year’s line-up.”
What’s next? Giving us insight on a child molester and why he’s justified in his actions because women ignore him? How about a film saying it’s OK to abuse a woman because she forgot to wash her husband’s clothes or make his dinner the right way? All absurd statements you say – and there is no way those stories would ever get told as a film. But 10 years ago people were saying the same thing about the story of teens killing teens in revenge for bullying.
What do you think?
Source: Twitch
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What a bunch of idiots. People like those Columbine idiots aren’t trying to “teach a lesson.” They are satisfying their own twisted fantacies. If someone wanted to “teach them a lesson” he would go in front of class one day and blow his own brains out.
You know, that could probably be made into a movie… Begin the movie showing a teen that’s not very popular, he gets picked on, etc. etc. But to be more realistic, things can’t all be bad for him, even the nerdiest kids have friends and good things that happen to him, but a depressed kid will only notice the bad. So maybe show that he does have friends, maybe even a girl that might like him, but he’s too shy, so then someone else asks the girl out and she says yes, this is like a final straw for him, but while he’s in anguish over this, one of the bullies bully him one more time, and pushes him over the line. You see him getting his father’s gun, you see him making all of these crazy plots, maybe talking to himself about getting back at the bullies and at the girl that broke his heart yadda yadda yadda, he goes to the class, gets up, says his things, points his gun at people, so you think he’s going to do the obvious, which is kill the people he doesn’t like, he calls the girl to the front of the class with him, but when she gets there, instead of shooting her, he blows his own brains out.
But they want some stupid horror movie… That would be more of a serious movie on the topic of school bullying and what-not. Probably would be too offensive to film. Although that was the subject matter in the old music video Jeremy by Pearl Jam if I’m not mistaken, lol. I think it could be done as long as it’s more of a serious movie showing the dark side of school bullying type movie, not a “look how cool this is” type movie.
But yah, glorifying school mass murderers is pretty dumb…
This isn’t the first film to address these events, but it may be the first to justify them. Zero Day was a great film that came out around the same time as Elephant, but got much less press.
At the risk of sounding like an old fogey…
What happened to the days when, if you were picked on by a bully, you stood up for yourself, took karate or a boxing lesson, tried to make others respect you, not fear you? There’s a reason why Rocky trained hard to fight Apollo instead of just buying a gun and shooting him down…
Okay, I just watched the trailer, and I’m thinking this ought to be called “The Whine-al.” Apparently, one kid says to another that he’s not going to hell because he’s “suffered” enough, getting picked on in school? Really? It’s not like there’s famine and war and honor killings and entire villages slaughtered by tribal lords in the world. I guess that’s what you end up with when you have an entire generation with an overdeveloped sense of entitlement. Frankly, it looks like yet another “torture porn” film. I doubt I’ll be watching this one, although I did enjoy other “Horrorfest” titles from past years.
Not a fan of this concept. I have no problem with powerful films like ‘Elephant’ actually making an artistic statement about the issue but this is sending the wrong image. ‘Elephant’ got blame for a particular school shooting after its’ release but if it happens after this i wouldn’t be surprised.
One issue at the heart of this whole subject is escalation and how much is justified. Their have been plenty of comments about this hero franchise or that one being imbalanced in this area. Challenging the norms tests what’s acceptable and what’s not. Desensitization to the whole issue is a danger. Ancient entertainment did similar things that we do today. Justification serves as the balance point on which society balances various acts. Yet justice isn’t always served. The whole can suffer because of the actions of a few. This happens every day and it can serve the course of escalation as much as ignorance, prejudice and fear. Discourse, Objective reasoning, restraint, and the facts are all enemies of the underlying causes of escalation. Just ask the Russian who had to make the choice back in the 80′s when his instruments had detected U.S. missile launches toward Russia…
This is just another film to acclimate the violent fringe of this generation to have no respect for life,,,
Pathetic, I feel bad for the crew that had to work on this film to support their family.
Disgusting!
alright, so it’s obviously a touchy subject, and by reading some of the comments it might even have been focused a little wrongly, but my question is: regardless of all these touchy subjects this movie brings to light, IS IT ANY GOOD? does it do its job and make people scared as hell in the theater? if not, then the ends don’t justify the means. but if so… who knows? maybe it could work?
Looks almost like a rip off of various other movies. As to the RL equation and “revenge”…
Freddy got revenge, the people that torched Freddy took it upon themselves to avenge (justly or unjustly) the kids.
Jasons Mother took revenge on the camp counselors for letting her son die…..err whatever he did.
Anyone remember Carrie?
Im sure there are other bully/revenge (Camp Sleep Away?) movies.
Sorry while it may be something that happened there is a little part of everyone that has wanted exact revenge one way or another.
My question would be if it stayed within the “torture” horror SAW realm and not included conventional weapons and the overcoat poster would there still be issues?
Sleep Away Camp was an awesome movie.
The poster, IMO, was purposeful in it’s resemblance to the Columbine situation. I mean, it has u talking about it. And I am SURE that was the intent.
I meant “us” not just “u”
I understand the poster helping to get the word out and or chatter about the film. However will it hurt more in the long run?
Meaning how many people here would have seen the movie if it wasnt for the poster?
Well, it just goes to prove that if you want people talking about your product, you need to push the envelope and be provocative. To me, the poster looks kinda of campy; the plotline, cliched. Yet here we are talking about it.
Oddly enough, I read not long ago a discussion of the Columbine massacre and what led up to it. While the mythos of it is that they were tormented and bullied in school, according to what I read, the police have nothing to suggest that and in fact said they had plenty of friends within their own social circle. I believe I read this around the time of the anniversary as a way to look back.
At first I was thinking this movie sounds cool until I read his statement saying “It’s about what happens when people are pushed to the brink of despair, and the consequences that the responsible parties must face.” School bullying? I wouldn’t really call that “the brink of despair”, and if I get bullied I’m not gonna kill anyone. There’s a thing called a principal or a teacher and you can tell them what’s going on or you can just defend yourself and not be a little wimp with a gun. I like Ken J’s movie idea, that would probably be a lot better than this movie that treats school mass murderers as heroes.
But the fact is that school bullying is a problem I will admit that, but it’s a problem that rarely escalates to a deadly point. I mean bullying is bad and boo hoo for you, but running around with a gun doesn’t make you the bigger person. If I wanted to get back at a bully I’d just do extra well in school, go to a good college, get a lot of money, marry a hot chick, and fin my bullies and say “Look at me now sucker!” That would be much better revenge, but probably not a good horror movie… Maybe a comedy though
OK people. It’s a horror movie, at a horror movie festival no less. Anyone who goes there expecting real life is already a little off. So the idea that they are justifying what all the various school shooters have done is ludicrous. Horror movies represent the dark thoughts we all have but would never act upon. They can actually be somewhat cathartic.
Also walking on eggshells, so many years after the events have happened, is a waste of time. Be it 09/11, Columbine, Va Tech, etc. Remember those who are lost. But to change our lives, or what’s appropriate, because of those events is disrespectful to the victims. In a way it even glorifies the actions of the terrorists/murderers by putting too much emphasis on them.
And as far as kids are concerned. Last time I checked horror movies, especially festival selections, are not aimed at kids. So as long as parents are paying attention to what their kids are watching, that shouldn’t be a problem.
All interesting conversations. I think too often, parties reviewing these films ASSUME the filmmakers are trying to stir some sort of social issue up and make a bold statement about one side or the other as far as “opinions” are concerned… but as an artist myself, I would offer the perspective that sometimes; its just an observation… a depiction… a simple reflection… because the fact is, this type of Sh*% happens, regardless of the twisted intent or motivation… it happens!! We can try to psychoanalyze all day, but EVERYONE has a brink, everyone has a fear, and everyone is human. DO NOT make the mistake of being naive with your head turned up so high, you can’t see down below…
I stand by with what Monique has written.
To get noticed, sometimes you really have to push the envelope for people to get some eyes on you.
For instance, I have a buddy who made an video regarding the Expendables which I have helped promote here by posting it on any Expendable threads.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Od4sFlyECw
Trying hard to get eyes on his video and to the right people. Obviously it is not easy being a nobody.
From watching the trailer, the film has so many high-school clichés in it from 80s Hughes films and the extreme nature of revenge seems to be taking the Saw/Torture Porn aspect. For me it is, eh, whatever.
Yet, I give these guys props for getting noticed. There are A LOT of people in the same boat as them trying to get eyes and, hey, if it takes something like this then good for them.
It has worked, just for posting their trailer and having a discussion about it ScreenRant has given them enough exposure and many new eyes.
Something that would have helped out my buddy with his video. Good or bad, at least people are watching.
And I quote
“We live in more of a pussy generation now, where everybody’s become used to saying, “Well, how do we handle it psychologically?” In those days, you just punched the bully back and duked it out. Even if the guy was older and could push you around, at least you were respected for fighting back, and you’d be left alone from then on.”
“I don’t know if I can tell you exactly when the pussy generation started. Maybe when people started asking about the meaning of life.”
- Clint Eastwood
Wow. I’ll put money on some kid seeing this movie and thinking it would be awesome to get his revenge by murdering his schoolmates. There is a reason why teen on teen violence is a bad plot for a movie. Thank the lord this movie doesn’t take place in a school like the poster suggests (btw the poster goes too far). And if anyone watches this movie and empathizes with the “nerds” then you need some help. This movie is about a bunch of sick drama queens who Murder other kids and who aren’t the least bit justified. Elephant was artistic and very well done. Seeing that movie wouldn’t give anyone a bad idea but this one will most definitely. Disgusting…
I am going to take the unique position of seeing the movie before I comment on it.
Are you all sure this isn’t a prequel to the Saw movies? It sure looks like it to me, which means I won’t be seeing it. One of those students could be the dude in Saw.
@ogb
Clint Eastwood has to understand that we can’t all be badasses like him, geez, go easy on us Officer Callahan…
I remember that quote from him. Makes me want to buy Gran Torino, that was such a great movie with so many great quotes, lol.
The Columbine massacre wasn’t just bullied kids taking revenge. There is clear evidence that psychotropic drugs were behind there rage. The media for the most part won’t go there, but both kids were taking Zoloft and other drugs. My memories bad on what exactly they did take, but I remember the FDA took one of the drugs off the market after the shooting.
@FarEEK
This article is commenting on the poster, statements by those involved and the trailer.
Vic
“I don’t know if I can tell you exactly when the pussy generation started. Maybe when people started asking about the meaning of life.”
Ohh for western culture somewhere in 420′s or 30′s “B.C.” !
I think that wimp Socrates was involved…
Gay Cowboys were worse than this and you didn’t say anything about it.
It’s just a horror movie.
But there’s nothing “offensive” about gay cowboys. I just wasn’t interested in it because, well, the topic matter simply didn’t interest me at all…
They say they don’t think they’re gonna go to Hell. I’m pretty sure they are. lol
Ken J
Clint is indeed one of the true badasses on screen and in real life.
I do feel his quote spans our culture/society on a lot of levels. And it’s not going to get any better. I look forward to living somewhere in the country where things are simpler