Synopsis:
A killer recalls his crimes, but what actually are “The Ingress Tapes”? The ramblings of a violent fantasist? Or the taped confession of a multiple murderer who was never caught? Documentary or Fiction?
In my years reviewing indie films, I had thought that I had seen it all—from the lowest budget schlock-horror to the hidden masterpieces that deserve little golden statues. I’ve never seen anything like The Ingress Tapes, and that’s saying something…but is that a good “something?”
The Ingress Tapes is less a film and more an audiobook with visuals. It is stylized as a collection of recordings from the mémoires of a serial killer. The film is written and directed by, as well as starring, Michael Fausti of Fausti Films. It’s a concept that could be considered similar to that of The Blair Witch Project in the way that it presents prerecorded material as factual accounts of actions, though here we are presented with audio recordings rather than shaky hand-cams.
The film, for me, felt more like an art project than an actual horror short film; it’s very much a no-budget rather than low-budget horror piece that features a single voice actor and some rather hauntingly pretty cinematography. It’s a great concept for a filmmaker or horror enthusiast—or even a film student—that wants to make something smart and edgy with a fifty in their back pocket. I’m genuinely a little jealous that I didn’t come up with the concept; like when you are at an art gallery and you think to yourself, “I could have done this,” but you didn’t. Michael Fausti did.
The content, while mature in nature, is far from shocking. The runtime is short and the film is grainy and purposely low-res. It’s good, it’s art, it’s indie, and it’s Avant Garde…but at the same time many will find it cheap, short and lacking visually—meaning you are either going to love it or hate it…or if you are like me, you are going to wish you’d thought up the concept first as this is the only idea that is within my personal budget.
The voice acting was good and the tapes sounded genuine. It’s a believable piece and I think that it will be a good change of pace if you had to watch this while it’s still doing the rounds on the indie circuit. Not my personal cup of tea but nonetheless a clever concept. Thanks for reading and as always, stay sordid.
Upcoming screening dates:
24th Sept, The Spirit of Independence film festival, Abbeydale Picture House, Sheffield, UK
