Return of the Killer Priest
Color. 8 mins. Made in 2006.
Return of the Killer Priest is an early experimental work (or game?) bringing interactive fiction techniques into the cinema — A “Choose Your Own Experience” film.
RotKP’s form is its meaning and it raises different ways of being in the world to our awareness. The audience has to make a decision — will they objectify this work, or will they jump in and experience the phenomena with us?
The audience of RotKP is invited to follow simple instructions at the sound of a gong — closing and opening their eyes and speaking aloud, “I need you.” When audiences’ eyes are closed, they hear the sound of a radio play we devised, when their eyes are open, they are treated to a silent film. Eventually, the film itself responds directly to the audience. There is a catch though! If you choose not to participate, the aesthetic of the film breaks down and you can watch the making of RotKP (filmed in one long take), but lose the pull of the film.
Return of the Killer Priest is named in tribute to Walter Reed aka Killah Priest.
Cast:
Zod – Ware Carlton-Ford
Emiko – Bridget Jackson
Ryo Hazuke – Alex Kuhns
Zul – Claire Miller
and
Hollis Carlton-Ford as Paul, young priest
Crew:
Chief Supervisor – Hal Carlton-Ford
Writers – Hal Carlton-Ford, Jon Konkol & Claire Miller
Costume Designer – Claire Miller
Audio/Video Technician – Dan Hostiuck
Audio/Video Technician – Rob Raney
Editor – Hal Carlton-Ford
Driver – Philip J. Love
The credits are given in the spirit of the Dziga Vertov Group.