Lori and the Six Six Sixties

This is a movie that I got the chance to see via screener thanks to Amy from Tartan Features Year Zero. It was co-written and directed by Grant McPhee, which I've seen one of his previous works, Far from the Apple Tree. The bit of information that was supplied sounded interesting. There were buzz words that I decided to give this a watch. From what I was seeing, this doesn't fall into the horror genre, which is what I normally review. I thought there was enough here for me still to give it a watch.

Now this doesn't have a traditional narrative where we follow things. From reading the synopsis and what I saw on the screen, Lori (Lori Stott) is trying to break into the folk music scene of the 1960s. She will go on a surreal journey along with Michelle (Ashley Sutherland) to make it. That journey will be her needing to find inner strength. Get over her fears of the woods and what lies in them. There are satanic undertones, swine-folk and folk horror.

This movie is more about the visuals and the sound design for sure. It feels like a music video. We get great cinematography and editing as we go on this surreal journey. The music that goes with it helps. There were selections that I recognized and that made me smile. I also think that there are allegories that are used that were effective as well.

That is where I'll go next. Knowing that this is about Lori trying to make it in the music industry makes sense. It is a dangerous one even back in the 1960s. That makes me think of Last Night in Soho. There is a vampire at a party and I take that as a studio executive. He is there to suck the blood, or metaphorically the life, out of those that are talented. What I don't understand are the swine-folk. My guess would be that they're the past artists who are 'hogging' the spotlight. Not necessarily wanting newcomers. What I like is that this is a tale about Lori needing to find the confidence to succeed. That makes it a feminist movie in my eyes as it is empowering in its own way.

This isn't one that I can recommend to everyone. It is an arthouse film. It is more of an experience and one that I'd like to revisit now while under the influence of something. It looks beautiful and the sound design is on point. As someone who looks for a more cohesive narrative, I falls short there. If you're into experimental films, give this a watch.

My Rating: 7 out of 10.