|
|
Published August 22, 2008 04:43 pm - “American Zombie” is just plain fun. I love all things zombie, so it appealed to me as a comic horror film.
Library review: Mockumentary examines ‘American Zombie’
At the 2006 True/False documentary film festival in Columbia, Mo., I attended a showing of “The Grace Lee Project,” which details one woman’s quest to meet people all over the country that share her name and discover how much they resemble the Grace Lee “stereotype” (reserved, good student, religious, plays piano).
Lee, who was born and raised in Columbia but now lives in Los Angeles, was on hand to present her film. The audience was delighted to see a hometown girl’s success, and during the question and answer session, someone asked what her next film was about. She simply replied, “Zombies.” Everyone kind of chuckled; I think they thought she was kidding. After all, how could a documentarian shoot a film about zombies, which populate horror movies and comic books but not real life?
But, no, she wasn’t kidding. The result is “American Zombie,” a new addition to the Joplin Public Library’s DVD collection. And it’s more of a mockumentary than a documentary, if you will.
Grace Lee and her film-school friend John Solomon portray themselves. They are filmmakers on the trail of a new minority in American society: the living dead, or revenants. The premise is that many people have begun to reanimate after suffering a violent death, the result of a virus contracted sometime during their lives. Experts have classified zombies according to their sentience and ability to function in human society. Although some are “feral” (like George Romero’s zombies), many are able to hold jobs, have relationships and enjoy hobbies.
Grace wants to create a serious portrait of what it means to be a zombie in today’s America. John, on the other hand, has a fixation on blood and guts and a more sensationalist bent. Early on, he asks a bewildered interviewee, “What about, like, human flesh? Do you eat that?” Her response is to offer him a snack of soy butter and whole-wheat crackers, more in keeping with her organic vegan lifestyle.
They interview a cross-section of zombie society: Ivan, a skateboarding convenience store clerk who self-publishes his own ’zine; Judy, who works for a company that makes healthy energy bars and drinks, and loves kittens and scrapbooking; Joel, the founder of Zombies Advocacy Group, or ZAG, who lives by the motto, “We here. We’re dead. Get used it”; and Lisa, a florist who specializes in funeral arrangements and has a passion for string art.
But despite their apparent normalcy, there’s something not quite right about these four — aside from the fact that they’re zombies. As “American Zombie” progressed beyond these initial interviews, I kept waiting for something to turn Grace and John’s expectations upside down.
The filmmakers wrangle an invitation to Live Dead, traditionally a zombies-only festival out in the middle of nowhere — think Burning Man for the undead. It’s a three-day celebration of art, music and overall zombie-ness. What Grace and John see and experience at Live Dead changes the course of the documentary and their lives. The tension really starts to ratchet up at that point; there are noises in the night and mysterious events, and the zombies they thought they knew turn evasive.
After fleeing the festival, Grace and John revisit their subjects with the blinders off. They find them more sinister and guarded now, and indeed, one of them has changed drastically — a change that will forever alter the lives of the filmmakers.
“American Zombie” is just plain fun. I love all things zombie, so it appealed to me as a comic horror film. But I was also struck by how Lee and Solomon explore the often complex notion of identity in contemporary American society. What does it mean to be a zombie (or a minority), and what are the dreams, expectations and frustrations of such a group, particularly one that experiences discrimination? Conversely, for a human (or a member of the majority), what are the ramifications of a vastly tolerant viewpoint? Is it possible to be too accepting and, consequently, have an unrealistic perception of things?
Just some ideas to consider, from the mind of a mid-Missouri girl, while you’re enjoying a zombie flick.
Lisa E. Brown is administrative assistant of the Joplin Public Library.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED
for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930....>MORE
See all ads |
|
JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
2001 DODGE RAM 1500
SLT/shell, 71,000 miles, 5.9l V8, tow package +, super condition reduced $7690. 417-358-5395....>MORE
2003 SATURN L200
4 door, 4 cylinder, 127,000 miles, $4495. 417-434-0925...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET S10
4 cylinder, 5 speed, high miles, $1750. 417-214-0022....>MORE
2005 FORD FOCUS
4 cylinder, 5 speed, 134,000 miles, $3495. 417-434-0925...>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO
to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double...>MORE
See all ads |
|
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES
2 gorgeous AKC males, 8 weeks on 11/30, all shots/vaccines, $200 each. 417-325-4340 ...>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
1000 thread 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets, all sizes, 10 colors, $35/set. (417)782-6639....>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
ANTIQUES FOR SALE
blue sette $350 2 lamps $75 coffee table $35 2 half side tables $35 2 mauve 60's chairs $225 will e-mail photos. 417-673...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|