Mary & Billy Fan Video

           

So, this happened. An astoundingly beautiful fan made pairing video for American Mary and Mary and Billy's relationship. Just beautifully done and cut together by the very talented Bobby McGriffin. Please enjoy. I know we did.

-Sylv

American Mary Makes the Best of 2013

"American Mary is a criminally under seen black comedic horror film set in the world of body modification. The film is the sophomore feature from Canadian twin sisters Jen and Sylvia Soska who blew away audiences with their low budget grindhouse riot girl epic Dead Hooker in a Trunk and just wrapped production on See No Evil 2. The film follows Mary (Katharine Isabelle from Ginger Snaps), a surgical student who ends up performing body modification surgeries as a way to get herself out of debt and ends up becoming a rock star in the field. As much as I loved Dead Hooker, the Soskas blew me away with this film. It’s funny, disturbing, and even heartbreaking. These two lovely ladies are two of the best new voices in horror and I will be following their career for years to come. This is an absolute watch and one of the best films of the year in any genre." - Project Shanks (full piece) 

"American Mary 

I've been waiting for a full year to put American Mary on my top five list! Released very late last year, thus qualifying for 2013 consideration, American Mary oozes style. Jen and Sylvia Soska grabbed their sophomore effort by the throat and didn't let go until they had a fantastic film. Audiences have fallen in love with not only American Mary but the highly marketable Soska sisters as well. The Twisted Twins nabbed Katharine Isabelle to play the deliciously devious Mary Mason, and the star brought viewers on a fantastic ride of pain, disillusionment, revenge and some of the craziest body modifications you've ever seen. Fantastic music also adds to the thick atmosphere in the movie. American Mary officially put the Soskas on the map, and with their next film, See No Evil 2, already in the can, these girls have the world by the surgically modified balls." - Dread Central (full piece) 

"Katharine Isabelle in American MaryCount me as a huge fan of The Soska Sisters’ latest cinematical endeavor, American Mary and a huge part of that is due to the breakout performance by Katharine Isabelle. Isabelle’s always been pretty great, but she proves in American Mary that she’s truly a star with a remarkably engaging and heartbreaking performance that I fell in love with. The Soska’s themselves serve up some powerhouse material with their tragic story of a medical student working outside of the system, but make no mistake, it’s Isabelle who knocks it right out of the park in American Mary." - Daily Dead (full piece)

         "American Mary 

I was lucky enough to catch “American Mary” before it’s 2013 release. The Soska Sisters ( Dead Hooker in a Trunk) take their bizarre style of film, and take it to the next level. Katherine Isabelle is great as our title character, and you really feel her breakdown to sociopathic behavior. This is a 4 star effort from the sisters ( who even have a cameo in the film)." - Horror Movies.ca (full piece) 

"07) AMERICAN MARYOh, Beatress. This was a look that could have very easily worn the actress, but Tristan Risk owned this character design and made it her own. I was very impressed with the plastic look of the living Betty Boop, and the attention to detail of making a woman look like an actual cartoon character was on point. In comparison to the "Ruby Real Girl" character, Beatress didn't look like the typical 'overly plastic-Jocelyn Wildenstein' character, she really looked like Betty Boop." - Day of the Woman (full piece) 

"4. American MaryA solid follow up for the Soska sisters. I enjoyed Dead Hooker in a Trunk, but I loved this. Katharine Isabelle steals the show. Unique and full of great gore and body mods, as well as the sexiest Betty Boop looking lady ever." - Guts and Grog (full piece) 

"American MaryDirected by twin sisters Jen and Sylvia Soska, American Mary has been popping up on a ton of best of lists and for good reason—the original premise and convincing performance by Katherine Isablelle, star of the Canadian hitGinger Snaps, helps American Mary rise above many of the independent horror films released in 2013. American Mary is just twisted enough to satisfy horror fans bent on the films of David Cronenberg and Takashi Miike." - PopShifter (full piece) 

"American MaryJen and Sylvia Soska, two confident women of horror, gave the genre a standout film with the well-crafted “American Mary”. While the scares may be scarce the character development and dread filled atmosphere keep the film compelling. The narrative makes interesting comments about self-identity and the manipulation of it both physical and psychological. These two budding directors have offered an exceptional horror film." - Daily Dead (full piece) 

"9. American Mary - Ginger Snaps’ Katharine Isabelle gives a great performance in this, the second film from Jen and Sylvia Soska (the “Twisted Twins” and directors of Dead Hooker in a Trunk). Mary finds Isabelle as the eponymous character, a young med student who falls into performing illegal body modification surgeries to support herself financially. When a violent incident sends Mary spiraling into madness, the film’s heroine slowly transforms into the (admittedly sympathetic) villain of the piece, racking up a body count even as her sanity erodes. This film’s strong lead performance, offbeat subject matter, and beautiful photography make this a must-see." - Dread Central (full piece) 

"2. American Mary (Xlrator Media) - The Soska sisters are becoming a name that is really synonymous with horror. American Mary is proof that these women can stand tall in a genre that is led mainly by males." 

"6) American Mary (Xlrator Media) - This applause-worthy sophomore effort of the Soska twins features the bodaciously babely female antihero that the modern horror genre desperately needed and teaches us an important lesson in recognizing self worth, wreaking vengeance upon those who have wronged us, and the dire consequences of crossing the sometimes dangerously thin line between malice and madness." - Cinesploitation (full piece) 

"2) AMERICAN MARY (Dir. Jen & Sylvia Soska)Like Kate Chopin’s The Awakening was adapted into the world of underground strip clubs and body modification. Surgery is a messy thing, and this film captures both the fascination and the terror associated with the performance of it and the surgical profession itself. Any one filmmaker – or, in the case of the Soska sisters, two – that can offer something this bold and subversive deserves to be on everyone’s radar." - Diabolique Magazine (full piece) 

"On our Best of 2013 Show we run down the Top 5 Movies, including my pick for #1.... Jen & Sylvia Soska's American Mary!" - Mike Wendt (full piece) 

"1) American Mary:Taking inspiration from the works of David Cronenberg and Takashi Miike, American Mary is a low budget feminist horror film that takes the viewers into the world of body modification with excellent practical make up effects and a potential future horror icon role for Katharine Isabelle of “Ginger Snaps” fame delivering an equally scary, funny and kooky performance." - Snake Bite Horror (full piece) 

-Sylv

Antonio Cupo Is One Of Canada's Most Beautiful

Tell me something I don't know. Huge congratulations to the very handsome Antonio Cupo for being on Hello! Canada's 50 Most Beautiful list. 

I think he's most gorgeous in American Mary as Billy Barker, check out the film and tell me that I'm wrong (I'm not).

CHECK IT HERE.

-Sylv

Take American Mary Home, America

The North American release of American Mary is available on Amazon.com for preorder. No image of the DVD/BD artwork yet or reviews on the film. 

Please, if you've been waiting for this to hit home, take a moment to preorder and if you've already seen our girl, please share your thoughts to convert the non-converted!

GET IT HERE!

-Sylv

American Mary On Apple.Com

Jen & I are thrilled that American Mary is on Apple.com, ladies and gentlemen, for her US theatrical release! Please pimp the trailer out to all of your friends. Post the shit out of her. Your support has proven that there is an audience for a film like this in theatres. 

WATCH IT HERE!

-Sylv

Aussies Get Their Mary!

Monster Pictures Australia releases American Mary today!!! Region free BluRay with two commentary tracks - including Katharine Isabelle and Tristan Risk's first feature commentary.

Also, it has two covers. Gotta ask, you lovelies, which do you prefer A or B?

-Sylv

International Responses to American Mary

"“American Mary” has a concept that transcends the horror genre. In many ways the film is political commentary piece, a feminist vignette and a tragedy, with a certain Alice in Wonderland deliriousness that has earned the film a strong cult following. American Mary follows the career journey, and eventually the spiritual degradation, that occurs to an idealistic young woman who abandons the legitimate surgery field in order to go into underground body modification." - Horror Nerds (full article)

 "I am in love with American Mary. 

To say that the Twisted Twins latest film is one of the most anticipated horror films of the past year would be an amazing understatement. I myself couldn't wait to get a hold of the film in some form. It wasn't until the recent UK release that I was happily satiated with the exploits of Mary and her surgical saws. Thank baby Jesus for region-free Blu-Ray players.

I wanna start off by saying that this film looks incredible. The visionary sisters have definitely honed their knowledge of filmmaking since their debut, Dead Hooker in a Trunk. Just watching the film on mute shows that they truly know how to frame a picture. Scene after scene, the eye is treated to works of art. The color depth and the way the film is shot is breath-taking and truly makes American Mary a spectacle to behold." - Film Deviant (full article)

"Now that's a film, especially how they didn't use "Bloody Mary" as the actual title of the movie, but just a name given to her throughout the movie. I loved it. It had a touch of revenge with that torture twist. Katharine Isabelle, was fantastic, she gave a fuck, yet she didn't.

Now, everyone...go watch this film." - Christina, Letterboxd (full article)

"In this sense what sets American Mary apart from the majority of other horror films is the inversion of the usual power relationships between men and women. Mary becomes empowered, as well as both feared and respected by her underworld associates, precisely because she is both beautiful and skilled as a surgeon. A scene in which a character tells Mary how he wished he had known her when he enacted revenge on a youth who was involved in the death of his mother reveals the awe in which he holds her. Ultimately, American Mary accomplishes something of a different order entirely to other recent films which similarly could be termed feminist horror." - The Quietus (full article)

"I get to see so many horror films that I often find myself in an eye-rolling situation when a tired concept is chewed and spat out time and time again, but with this film I found myself enthralled. The Soskas have created something original, refreshing and, considering the budget and timescales (only a 15 day shoot), utterly incredible. I refuse to place this shoulder to shoulder with other low budget films as this crisply executed piece kicks many larger budgeted films' backsides.

The subject matter is extremely fascinating and I found myself Googling the body-mod community as soon as the film finished (although I could never actually partake – I'm an official wimp). The film is so well done due to the amount of research done and such creativity on the Twisted Twins' part." - Horror Talk (full article)

"The movie flows beautifully smooth, you just can't fault the directing as it plays out like you're reading a book. It has a raw pyscho-sexual erotic feel in the same vain as "American Psycho" (without Huey Lewis) which is no bad comparison at all. Once again the Twisted Twins have worn their hearts and influences on their sleeves and gave us a superb film, I'd even say another cult-classic." - Raz's Midnight Macabre (full article)

"For the second film from the “Twisted Twins”, it would appear that the sisters have given us a less Robert Rodriquez type of film and more of a David Cronenberg affair, since it is hard to think body modification without thinking David Cronenberg. But what follows is a film that seems like a mix of different methods and styles as Katharine Isabelle explodes on the screen with a performance that I think will finally make people think of Ginger Snaps second now when thinking about her." - Zombies Don't Run (full article)

"The script is solid, the look of the movie is almost exactly what the ladies were after (it brings to mind the style of the better Asian horrors to have appeared in the last decade or so) and the effects scattered throughout are very impressive. Yet, what really transforms American Mary (pun intended) is the fact that it delivers the goods for horror fans who don’t mind some intelligence with their bloodshed and also stands out as something impressively original in a genre that can often be overcrowded with torture movies, zombie films, remakes and sequels.

I can’t wait to see what the Twisted Twins give us next." - Flick Feast (full article)

-Sylv

Antonio Cupo Takes the Cover for Impress Mag

Check out the newest Impress Mag featuring American Mary's stunningly talented, Antonio Cupo.

Get yours here!

-Sylv

Brand New American Mary Trailer

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting American Mary & sharing the new trailer. 

To those of you that haven't had a look & those who want to throw some views in - with a Youtube tally going strong - let's see how many views we can get on this thing!

-Sylv

Like Mary? Like Mary!

I like American Mary. We should like it together.

Like the group HERE!

Then force your friends and even strangers to also like it. Refuse to hire new staff that doesn't like it. Only date people who have liked it. Refuse to eat at establishments where the staff and owners do not like it. Make people worry about you with your whole-hearted, devoted 'like'.

I'd like that.

-Sylv 

13 Sinful Horror Questions with Antonio Cupo

Antonio Cupo is an amazing actor currently burning up the screen in The Soska sister' American Mary. A gifted and talented actor who possesses angelic good looks and roguish charm, he can play a wide variety of roles and is equally believable in all. We caught up recently and discussed a little thing I call The 13 Question Marks of Horror!

You play Billy Barker, who really comes off as kind of a sleazy tough guy when you first meet him. But as we spend time with him, he really reveals himself to be a lost soul. What was your first reaction when reading the script?  

AC: I really just wanted to build a character that was real. Nobody has just one side to them and characters that do aren’t as much fun to play. I tried to infuse a character arc that I thought would be natural for a guy like Billy. Even thugs can change when it comes to love, with Billy it was more about measure and control so that he is steadily growing in human qualities until the end of the movie.

CHECK OUT THE WHOLE AWESOME INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE SENSATIONALLY TALENTED ANTONIO CUPO AND RIDICULOUSLY RAD SINFUL CELLULOID HERE.

-Sylv

Screamfest 2012 American Mary Q & A

Screamfest 2012 was kind enough to give AMERICAN MARY her LA premiere and in attendance were many of the cast and crew including: Jen Soska, Antonio Cupo, Paula Lindberg, Brian Pearson, Sylvia Soska, Todd Masters, and Katharine Isabelle.

                    

Here is the cast & crew Q & A following the film. PLEASE ENJOY!

-Sylv

PS A huge thank you to SINFUL CELLULOID for all the spectacular coverage!!

Toronto After Dark Introduction and Q & A with the Twisted Twins & Antonio Cupo

             

Adam Lopez (Festival Director and Founder) and the Twisted Twins (Jen & Sylvia Soska) introduce Canadian Premiere of American Mary at Toronto After Dark Film Festival + annouce that Anchor Bay Canada will be distributing their movie in Canada. (warning: some strong language - but remember it's 19+ admission to festival).

                

Adam Lopez (Festival Director and Founder) and the Twisted Twins (Jen & Sylvia Soska)Q&A after the Canadian Premiere of American Mary at Toronto After Dark Film Festival (warning: some strong language - but remember it's 19+ admission to festival) - these twins were great and the 
movie was AWESOME!!

-Sylv 

Scream For American Mary, Reviews From Screamfest!

"One thing that stood out for me about the film was the respect the Soskas pay to those who actively play a role in the body modification scene. I may not be one to take part in such things but it’s good to see the perspective paid here towards those who choose this lifestyle. Also, the film’s look and feel is way more beautiful than I expected. Sleaze and style seem to be mixed with equal parts here and ultimately kept my attention throughout the whole damn thing. It’s a rare thing for an audience to cringe, laugh and ogle the talent on screen in the same sitting and I applaud AMERICAN MARY for inciting such mixed reactions all the way through.  

Alas, the highlight throughout the film, was Katharine Isabelle’s performance as Mary. While Jen and Sylvia Soska stated AMERICAN MARY was an analogy for their experience in Film School, I must also state this is a pretty compelling character study. Brilliant, sexy, diabolical and dangerous, Isabelle takes us down the road Mary walks with a sort of reckless abandon that you rarely see on screen these days. As Dr. Mason ventures further down the rabbit hole, the film builds as well and we’re left to cringe and laugh our way through a darkly sensual and somewhat bloody ride." - Aaron Pruner, Icons of Fright (full article)

"Does anyone remember watching early work by odd auteurs like David Cronenberg or Dario Argento and having an epiphany moment of ‘here is a talent not to ignore’ – welcome the Soska Sisters. The vibrant young duo and their perversely and passionately abnormal movie "American Mary" is film unlike anything I’ve seen in recent years. A wonderfully insane conundrum of horror, drama, revenge and the effect power has over people – in other words a seriously savory mind job." - Jason Coleman, Starpulse (full article) 

-Sylv

The Liberal Dead See American Mary at TADFF

"Hey everyone, Jeff here reporting on the first night of Toronto After Dark 2012! All in all, I’d say it was a great night; though I could’ve done without the rain (more on that in a minute). The Bloor was packed with energetic TAD fans, the beer was flowing, and the movies were both solidly entertaining."

A word of merit to the people who came out to see AMERICAN MARY at TADFF, there was a utter downpour that soaked the horror film fans. Jen, myself, and Antonio Cupo went outside to welcome and thank the fans who came to the screening. Which, also gave us a sexy wet look for the evening - WIN.

"After the first feature wrapped, I spent about 30-45 minutes standing outside in the pouring rain, which was rather cold and unpleasant, but no fault of the festival organizers (Note To Self: Bring larger umbrella tonight!). However, it was totally worth it, as about 20 minutes in, we were greeted by Jen and Sylvia Soska (aka The Twisted Twins), the writer/directors of the next feature American Mary.Not only were they super enthusiastic for two people who were running around in a miserable downpour while wearing short skirts and vinyl."

The only reason Jen and I get to do this, get to continue to do this, is because of the amazing people who line up to see the film, support it, share it with their friends, and get the word out. How would our Canadian Premiere go down?

"After that came the “main event” of the evening, the Canadian premiere of American Mary. If you haven’t heard, the film is about an aspiring surgeon who unwittingly finds herself thrust into the dark world of underground body modification. The film is a far leap in both tone and production value from the Soskas’ first feature, Dead Hooker In A Trunk, it is an impressive sophomore effort with stunning cinematography, a wonderful lead performance from Katharine Isabelle, great practical effects and makeup work, and some delightfully demented scenes. This one comes with a strong recommendation to horror and genre fans, and seeing as the Soskas announced during their introduction that Anchor Bay had just picked up American Mary for distribution in Canada, it sounds like it won’t be long before you get the chance." 

Check the whole review here.

-Sylv