I just discovered the trailer for an upcoming horror film called Donner Pass. The trailer blew me away and the film has my total attention right now, so I had to share details on the film with all you gals and ghouls at HorrorSociety. Now, if Donner Pass sounds familiar, then you’re somewhat educated on one piece of the macabre history of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Donner Party is a well documented case of cannibalism in America. In 1846, a group of pioneers were traveling through the mountains to California and were trapped in the woods by severe mishaps and lots and lots of snow. Party members started eating the other members of their group to survive, whether they were deceased or not.
So, this brings us to Donner Pass! In the present day, a bunch of teenagers embark on a ski trip and find themselves in the same mountains as the Donner Party. The drinking, skiing, and other shenanigans turn to horror when some of the teens start turning up dead, oh yeah, and half eaten! Could it be ancestors of the Donner Party, still up to the families traditions? Could it be ghosts haunting the land? Could it be some sort of time rift affecting the area? You’re going to have to watch Donner Pass when it is released to find out…I know I’ll be waiting!
Starring in Donner Pass are Desiree Hall (MTV’s Teen Wolf), Erik Stocklin, Colley Bailey (Evil Deeds 2), Adelaide Kane (Power Rangers: RPM), John Kassir (the voice of The Crypt Keeper), Dominic DeVore, Eric Pierpoint (Invaders From Mars), Krystal Davis (Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!), Russ Russo (Bikini Bloodbath), Brandon Morales, and many others! Elise Robertson, an Emmy Award winner, serves as the director of Donner Pass. Producers Mouncey Ferguson III and Jude S. Walko are also on board, with R. Scott Adams as writer and Bobby Scott as director of photography.
Here are two quotes taken from the Donner Pass press release that I thought were important for horror fans to read:
“Producer Mouncey Ferguson comments, “We set out to make a movie in the tradition of the great thrillers and classic horror films of the 70s and early 80s – which was part of the reason we opted to shoot on Super-16mm film. What appears early on to be a simple slasher movie unfolds into something more haunting and provocative, an unsettling exploration of man’s inhumanity to man. We hope fans of thrillers and horror will enjoy it, but that it will also appeal to a broader audience.”
“The script is so rich in character detail – each of our teens has a complex and surprising arc – all adding up to a meaningful commentary about human nature,” says Robertson, who has previously directed for PBS as part of the American Storytellers series. “But we also set out to deliver some fresh scares, and some original moments of dread.”
Currently, the team behind Donner Pass is trying to secure distribution deals. But, you can still add the film to your netflix queue and you will be the first to see it when it is released. A member of the team expressed that they are trying to premier the movie at a film festival this year. You know, HorrorSociety has its own film festival *wink wink, nudge nudge* in Chicago this fall. No, really. Donner Pass looks like it is going to be awesome. Watch the movie trailer on their official website [here] and “like” ’em on Facebook [here]. Keep an eye on HorrorSociety for all future updates and, hopefully, some exclusives and interviews!
Great write-up, thanks a ton guys! Hope you enjoy the movie when it's out!