If you happen to love the films of George Romero then you
know what it's like to be a fan. Zombie lovers credit Romero with the earliest
inklings of what could be done with the genre transforming it from voodoo mind
controlled slaves to flesh eating brain dead creatures. Romero's fans are
legendary for their love of his films. What you have with FAN OF THE DEAD is a
chronicle of one fans obsession with the movie DAWN OF THE DEAD.
Producer/director Nicolas Garreau lived in France and loved
the film. He loved it so much that he decided to make the trek across the
Atlantic to attend a horror convention being held in Pittsburgh where the movie
was made and to document his entire trip. By entire trip I mean almost everything
including boarding the plane and offering glimpses from the airplane. While
this could be the most boring home movie ever it instead shows the dedication
that this single fan has for the film.
At the convention Garreau has the chance to not only unite
with the numerous fans that have come from all over the world, he joins with a
group that he's spoken with in the past as they gather to celebrate all things
zombie. Their glee at being in Pittsburgh is only surpassed when they have the
chance to meet with the actual actors who starred in the film. This increases
later as they take a guided tour through Monroe Mall where most of the movie
was shot, led by none other than Ken Foree and David Emgee.
Their time in Pittsburgh not only brings them to the convention
and this guided tour but to the various locations where the movie was shot as
well. These fans have put together a chance to see the spots where different
things took place in all three of the Romero films. The fact that they crammed
so much into just a few days shows their dedication.
At 60 minutes the film doesn't leave a lot of room for
wasted time. Neither did the planning Garreau put into this trip. What makes it
work isn't the camera work (not the best when it comes to video tape) or the
non-existent writing taking place here but the enthusiasm that exudes from all
of the fans.
Having met Ken Foree he is a gifted story teller and I have
little doubt that he held this group in the palm of his hand during the tour
section of the film. He is also one of the most generous and giving actors when
it comes to fans as well.
Released back in 2007 the movie has just been reissued by
Cheezy Flicks for a truly affordable price. For fans of the original DAWN film
this is a nice accompanying piece.
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