What has the internet ever given us? Well, aside from unlimited quantities of pornography on demand and the attention spans of dying ecstasy addicts, there are certain people whose career success can be attributed to the 21st centurys panacea off choice. Among these is English director
Ben Wheatley, who first drew attention to his talents through the production of several successful viral videos including the still popular 'Cunt Stunning' in which a friend is shown jumping over a car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK2tN8vbOdw Since then, Wheatley has seen a vast upsurge in fortunes, having directed several UK TV programmes (including drug comedy I Deal), Wheatley directed and co-wrote the small budget feature film Down Terrace and 2009 which did modest business and picked up awards at both Fantastic Fest (Austin) and Raindance (London). Now it appears Wheatley maybe on the cusp of the big time with the news that IFC Midnight have purchased the North American distribution rights to new picture
Kill List. A psychological horror film that premiered at the South by South West festival at the Alamo Drafthouse where Wheater was challenged to a public beer drinking contest by SXSW organiser Tim League. And while no winner was declared, if the beer was American we can assume that Wheater was the triumphant party- although we at Obsessed With Film do not approve of such reckless behaviour, it does provide a reassuring counterpoint to the vacuous soundbite laden speeches of the internet marketers that seem to have defined the festival. Boorish displays aside, the film has impressed many, including IFC Films president Jonathan Sehring, who made the following enthusiastic statement:
"Our team was blown away by Kill List.It is a relentless, stylish, brilliantly directed journey into darkness that confirms Ben Wheatley as a major director. This is a film that is destined to be discussed for years and we are honoured to begin the conversation with audiences across the country."
A major director maybe something of a leap at this stage, but the writer/directors movie about a traumatised soldier reduced to paranoid assassin has garnered sufficient plaudits to suggest he may one day be worthy of the title. Kill List was made in association with Film4 and should have little trouble securing UK distribution.