Smash Cut
Encyclopedia
Smash Cut is a 2009 Canadian slasher film
released by Odessa Filmworks
and Zed Filmworks, distributed by Imagination Worldwide LLC. Lee Demarbre
directs this film, which is produced by Robert Menzies.
Isaac Beaumonde (Jesse Buck) to seek her missing sister, a stripper
known as Gigi Spot (Jennilee Murray). Carson assumes a role in a horror movie in the process, eventually learning that the movie's director, Able Whitman (Hess), is not only the culprit, but that he has rendered her sister's body into props
for the production. Whitman then requires more "props" for his film, which means more body parts, which in turn requires a killing spree. Meanwhile, detective Beaumonde pursues an increasingly deadly and grisly case.
, Ontario
at area locations including the Mayfair Theatre
and Rockland, Ontario
.
Smash Cut features actors Sasha Grey
, David Hess
(The Last House on the Left
) and Michael Berryman
(The Hills Have Eyes
) and Ray Sager (The Wizard of Gore
). This film presented Grey, an adult film performer, in her first non-pornographic role. Herschell Gordon Lewis
, considered the inventor of the splatter film
genre, is seen in the film's opening advising the audience to "watch if you must".
The film's investors were concerned that Smash Cut would be hindered by the proposed Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006
law (Bill C-10) that could restrict tax benefits for films whose content the federal government deemed objectionable. These concerns were particularly prompted by the casting of Sasha Grey, but director Lee Demarbre retorted, "I don't want to make a porn movie. I want to make a movie with Sasha Grey. I want to take her right out of the porn genre."
at the Fantasia Festival
. Another showing was scheduled at the London FrightFest Film Festival
in the United Kingdom
on 29 August 2009. Canadian premieres in 2009 included Toronto on 15 October and Ottawa on 20 November.
Slasher film
A slasher film is a type of horror film typically involving a psychopathic killer stalking and killing a sequence of victims in a graphically violent manner, often with a cutting tool such as a knife or axe...
released by Odessa Filmworks
Odessa Filmworks
Odessa Filmworks is a Canadian film production company, based in Ottawa, Ontario founded by film director/producer Lee Demarbre. Odessa produced the internationally-distributed feature film Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter.-Productions:...
and Zed Filmworks, distributed by Imagination Worldwide LLC. Lee Demarbre
Lee Demarbre
Lee Gordon Demarbre is a Canadian cult film maker. As the president and key person in the Ottawa, Ontario based Odessa Filmworks production company, he has led the creation of several internationally-shown films such as Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace and Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter.Demarbre...
directs this film, which is produced by Robert Menzies.
Plot
Television news celebrity April Carson (Grey), working for station manager Fred Sandy (Lewis, in a cameo appearance), turns to the services of private investigatorPrivate investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
Isaac Beaumonde (Jesse Buck) to seek her missing sister, a stripper
Striptease
A striptease is an erotic or exotic dance in which the performer gradually undresses, either partly or completely, in a seductive and sexually suggestive manner...
known as Gigi Spot (Jennilee Murray). Carson assumes a role in a horror movie in the process, eventually learning that the movie's director, Able Whitman (Hess), is not only the culprit, but that he has rendered her sister's body into props
Theatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
for the production. Whitman then requires more "props" for his film, which means more body parts, which in turn requires a killing spree. Meanwhile, detective Beaumonde pursues an increasingly deadly and grisly case.
Cast
- David HessDavid HessDavid Alexander Hess was an American actor, singer, and songwriter.-Music career:In 1956, Hess recorded the original version of the Otis Blackwell composition "All Shook Up" under the stage name David Hill...
as Able Whitman - Sasha GreySasha GreySasha Grey is an American former pornographic actress, who has since turned to mainstream acting, modeling and music....
as April Carson - Michael BerrymanMichael BerrymanMichael John Berryman is an American actor. He has appeared in several horror movies and other B movies. Berryman is famous for having a distinctive physical appearance as a result of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, a rare genetic condition which prevents him from developing hair, sweat glands...
as Philip Farmsworth Jr. - Herschell Gordon LewisHerschell Gordon LewisHerschell Gordon Lewis is an American filmmaker, best known for creating the "splatter film" subgenre of horror...
as Fred Sandy - Jesse Buck as Isaac Beaumonde
- Ray Sager as Reverend Ezekial Boone
- Jennilee Murray as Georgina Carson / Gigi Spot
- Michael Dubue as Alan Dackman
- Barry Blake as Armand Parys
- Parisa Kasaei as Intern
- Peter Michael Dillon as Oswald 'Ozzie' Kohlberg
- Meghanne Kessels as Mitzi Jackel
- Jeff Lawson as R.L. Smith
- Mercedes Papalia as Doctor / Stripper
- Cinthia Burke as Starla
- Csaba András Kertész as Restaurant patron
- Nick Taylor as Movie Patron
- Jade Carpenter as Young Female Actress
- Guen Douglas as Gretchen Gregorski
- Matthew Stefiuk as Grober
- Rylan O'Reilly as Allan
- Cathy Symonds as Marlene
- Robert Reynolds as Rummy
- Rusty NailsRusty Nails (filmmaker)Rusty Butt aka Rusty Osgood is an American director, writer, editor, and actor. He is best known for his feature film Acne, a black-and-white horror film about a pair of teenagers who wake up to find themselves mutated into horribly strange creatures...
as Kohlberg - Oswald
Production
Filming was conducted between 9 May and 4 June 2008 in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
at area locations including the Mayfair Theatre
Mayfair Theatre
The Mayfair Theatre is Ottawa's oldest active movie theatre, operating since 1932. It operates as an independent repertory cinema. The theatre's programming includes independent, second-run and classic films....
and Rockland, Ontario
Rockland, Ontario
Rockland is a bilingual community located about east of downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, part of the city of Clarence–Rockland. Rockland has a population of 9,210.-History:...
.
Smash Cut features actors Sasha Grey
Sasha Grey
Sasha Grey is an American former pornographic actress, who has since turned to mainstream acting, modeling and music....
, David Hess
David Hess
David Alexander Hess was an American actor, singer, and songwriter.-Music career:In 1956, Hess recorded the original version of the Otis Blackwell composition "All Shook Up" under the stage name David Hill...
(The Last House on the Left
The Last House on the Left (1972 film)
The Last House on the Left is a 1972 horror film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Sean S. Cunningham.The story is inspired by the 1960 Swedish film The Virgin Spring, directed by Ingmar Bergman, which in turn is based on the 13th century Swedish ballad "Töres döttrar i Wänge"...
) and Michael Berryman
Michael Berryman
Michael John Berryman is an American actor. He has appeared in several horror movies and other B movies. Berryman is famous for having a distinctive physical appearance as a result of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, a rare genetic condition which prevents him from developing hair, sweat glands...
(The Hills Have Eyes
The Hills Have Eyes (1977 film)
The Hills Have Eyes is a 1977 American horror film directed by Wes Craven and starring Susan Lanier, Michael Berryman, and Dee Wallace. It is about a family on a road trip who become stranded in the Nevada desert, and are hunted by a clan of deformed cannibals in the surrounding hills...
) and Ray Sager (The Wizard of Gore
The Wizard of Gore
The Wizard of Gore is a 1970 film directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis. It stars Ray Sager and Judy Cler. According to crew member Daniel Krogh in his book The Amazing Herschell Gordon Lewis , the film was shot in Chicago, Illinois and a number of surrounding suburbs during the early summer of...
). This film presented Grey, an adult film performer, in her first non-pornographic role. Herschell Gordon Lewis
Herschell Gordon Lewis
Herschell Gordon Lewis is an American filmmaker, best known for creating the "splatter film" subgenre of horror...
, considered the inventor of the splatter film
Splatter film
A splatter film or gore film is a subgenre of horror film that deliberately focuses on graphic portrayals of gore and graphic violence. These films, through the use of special effects and excessive blood and guts, tend to display an overt interest in the vulnerability of the human body and the...
genre, is seen in the film's opening advising the audience to "watch if you must".
The film's investors were concerned that Smash Cut would be hindered by the proposed Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006
Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006
The Tax Amendments Act, 2006 is a Bill in the Canadian Legislature numbered as Bill C-10 of the second session of the 39th Parliament of Canada and containing a controversial clause that David Cronenberg and Sarah Polley have argued represents censorship of Canadian films...
law (Bill C-10) that could restrict tax benefits for films whose content the federal government deemed objectionable. These concerns were particularly prompted by the casting of Sasha Grey, but director Lee Demarbre retorted, "I don't want to make a porn movie. I want to make a movie with Sasha Grey. I want to take her right out of the porn genre."
Presentations
The film was first shown on 18 July 2009 in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
at the Fantasia Festival
Fantasia Festival
Fantasia International Film Festival is a genre film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996...
. Another showing was scheduled at the London FrightFest Film Festival
London FrightFest Film Festival
FrightFest is an annual film festival held in central London over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The first event was held in the year 2000....
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 29 August 2009. Canadian premieres in 2009 included Toronto on 15 October and Ottawa on 20 November.