Festivals - Fantasia 2020: Sanzaru in International Premiere on July 29th and September 1st

By Mulder, 13 august 2020

Deriving its name from the three mystical apes who hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil, Xia Magnus’ Slamdance-selected debut Sanzaru is a film about generational trauma, and the consequences of turning a blind eye. In this chilling tale of the American Gothic pitched somewhere between Shirley Jackson and Ari Aster, Magnus embraces and breaks convention in equal measure, tackling issues of the alienation and isolation of displaced workers, alongside broader themes of repression, and evil-with-a-capital-E: deep-seated, subterranean and all-corrupting. Carried by elegant, retro-inflected camerawork, unsettling imagery, a chilling, memorable score from Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs, and a strong command of tone and building dread, Sanzaru is a densely atmospheric, elegantly directed piece of horror filmmaking, pointing to the emergence of a director to follow closely!

Synopsis :
Evelyn, a young Filipina nurse (Aina Dumlao), has moved to the remote Texan estate of the Regans. Tasked with taking care of the family’s aging matriarch, Dena (Jayne Taini), she also takes in her nephew – suspended from school, and whom Dena suspects of stealing her things. As the symptoms of dementia get worse – especially at night, when the elder’s behaviour becomes truly unpredictable – the relationship of care turns increasingly strained and abusive. Furthermore, Evelyn begins hearing mysterious noises emanating from the intercom, and the family’s cockatiel exhibits its own strange behaviour. Is the nurse imagining or projecting? Or is the dying, remote house trying to tell her something about its secrets? Who, or what is Sanzaru?

Sanzaru
Written and directed by Xia Magnus
Produced by Nathan Hertz, Anthony Pedone, Alyssa Polk, Kenny Riches, Matt Wigham
Starring Justin Arnold, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Aina Dumlao, Jayne Taini
Music by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs
Cinematography : Mark Khalife
Edited by Joshua Raymond Lee
Release date : January 26 2020 (USA)
Running time : 88mns

(Source : Fantasia 2020 official website)