Directed and written by Dallas-native Angela Gulner, The Beldham arrives at the Austin Film Festival for the North American Premiere. In this psychological horror/family drama, there is not a moment when I could turn away from the screen to follow what was happening between the mother and daughter characters. The script is excellent, as are the performances by the main cast, Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Carol’s Second Act” TV series), Katie Parker (Netflix – “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Haunting of Hill House” TV mini-series) and Emma Fitzpatrick (Take Back the Night, The Social Network).
Seeing Heaton in this theatrical role is lovely; it differs from the television series. I am familiar with Parker’s work after viewing the Netflix series, and she is excellent in this different role of a mother with an infant child, so very obviously, she has had trauma. The characters are different, and their work in this film allows them to show fans their range of talent. There is more that I will hold back in my efforts not to provide spoilers, as something must be experienced when seen as a whole film. The film is highly recommended to watch as it screens at the festival.
Synopsis: A struggling new mother fights a generations-old presence lurking within her family home, threatening her safety, her sanity, and the life of her infant child.
Cast: Corbin Bernsen (“Major League”)
While not a full interview, the following was provided by writer/director Angela Gulner.
I’m a Dallas-based filmmaker, and my feature directorial debut, The Beldham, is set to play at the Austin Film Festival.
It is an elegant, dread-filled, character-driven monster movie about the horrors that fester between mothers and daughters—with a third-act twist that will knock the air out of your lungs.
It is also a very feminine take on the “Monster Movie”, with a female writer/director (yours truly), a female cinematographer (Ksusha Genenfeld), and a mostly female cast.
We screen on Friday 10/25 at 10:00 pm and Tuesday 10/29 at 5:50 pm — and we’re so excited to have been nominated for a Jury Award for Dark Matters Feature.
We had our World Premiere at Sitges last week to great response!
Producers: Talia Bella, Angela Gulner, Mark Meir, Randy Wayne (USA, 85 minutes)
https://austinfilmfestival.com/2024-film-schedule/ Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (5:50 pm – Galaxy)
Source: Wicked Myth Films, Austin Film Festival