Horror Favourites – Richard Lowry

Uncork’d Entertainment will release post-apocalyptic thriller AFTER THE PANDEMIC, from filmmaker Richard Lowry (President Evil, Apocalypse Rising), came out this March and we managed to lock him down to tell us about his Favourite horror film.

A dark sci-fi thriller set around the Covid-19 pandemic, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a global airborne pandemic has wiped out 90% of the Earth’s population and only the young and immune have endured as scavengers.

For Ellie and Quinn, the daily challenges to stay alive are compounded when they become hunted by the merciless STALKERS. Their perilous journey culminates with a sacrifice, death, and redemption.

Written and directed by Richard Lowry and produced by Francesca Zappitelli, AFTER THE PANDEMIC stars Eve James, Kannon Smith, Juniper Preacher, Derek Sneddon, Alec McCormick, Gu Sewen, Virginia Fivas, and Leslie Ldmaw.

Below Richard Lowry tells us all about his favorite horror film:

“I’ve been a lifelong fan of horror films, from the silents to Universal Monsters, Hammer films, 70’s and 80’s classics to the current trend of supernatural films, notably James Wan’s. The single film that towers above the rest for me, though, is THE EXORCIST. Produced in the early 70’s, screenwriter William Peter Blatty and Director William Friedken had the creative freedom to push the film’s horrors and vulgarities to the extreme. The film was revolutionary for its time and still holds its ruthless power to this day.

I marvel at the technical achievements, from Owen Roizman’s naturalistic cinematography tothein camera effects, music score, sound design and stunning prosthetic makeup by the legendary Dick Smith. William Friedken was the perfect choice as Director, honing a realistic tone to the film aided by the stellar performances by Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Jason Miller and Linda Blair. The film is rich with symbolism, underlying terror and profound despair. Each character has
their own distinctive identity and purpose which is rarely seen in horror films.

From the opening scene, Friedkin creates an unsettling tone that crawls under the skin and carefully builds, masterfully layering the tension scene to scene, escalating to the heart pounding finale. I’ms till unnerved by Mercedes McCambridge’s voice of the demon, yet another perfect addition to this unrelenting classic. I truly believe that film audiences of the future will be shocked and horrified by THE EXORCIST, a testament to the film’s remarkable achievement.”

AFTER THE PANDEMIC is out on digital and DVD now.