Damnationland 2012 presents genre-defying original works from Maine filmmakers that redefine the classic thriller and horror categories, leaning toward visions that are surreal, comedic, and artful, while still providing scares, shocks, and surprises. The five film listed below will screen as one uninterrupted program lasting around 60 minutes long, and filmmaker bios are further down, so keep reading for more info.
To learn about films from previous Damnationland programs, check out our archive.
THE FILMS OF DAMNATIONLAND 2012
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“Merrow”
A study in the calm terror of the inevitable, “Merrow” tells an otherwordly love story between a man and his mistress of the sea. As their intense relationship winds towards its tragic end, the couple becomes more entwined in a macabre dance of strength, support, and codependence.
Written and directed by Allen Baldwin
Starring Casey Turner and Jeremiah McDonald
“Parallaxis”
Due to planetary catastrophe, a young couple flees an overpopulated city wrought with panic, social unrest, and murderous intent. They travel to a secluded island searching for solace only to find that physical distance cannot save them from the madness that the universe has bestowed upon the world.
Written and directed by Regina Bartholomew
Cinematography by Marc Bartholomew
Starring Kris Stratos and Crystal Rose Vaccaro
“Carrying Place”
In a rural township, an aging woman is plagued by a stranger demanding a “blessing” and a “sacrifice.” Inspired by Maine history, “Carrying Place” explores a quiet horror close to home.
Directed by The Sisters Grumbling
Written by Megan Grumbling
Produced by Amy Grumbling
Starring Paul Haley, Michael Howard, and Deborah Paley
“Raw Footage”
There are no places to obtain supplies or get help on the ’100 Mile Wood’ section of the Appalachian Trail in northern Maine. This raw footage tape is the property of the Bangor Police Homicide Division, and part of an ongoing murder investigation.
Written and directed by Kyle Rankin
Starring Jamie Tisdale, Wayne Alon Scott, Nate Aldrich, and Rob O’Malley
“Raid of the Vomit-Blood Fiends”
All is well when a husband and wife discuss politics over a candlelit dinner. That is, until the butler misplaces the wine.
Written and directed by R.J. Wilson
Starring Anthony Ellison, Lisa Bol, and Adam Wroblewski
THE FILMMAKERS OF DAMNATIONLAND 2012
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Allen Baldwin
Born and raised in Norridgewock, Maine, Allen Baldwin has been putting together films with independent flair and a DIY attitude for over a decade. After graduating from Bowdoin College, Allen moved to Portland, Maine, where he operates his own production company, Strongpaw Productions. In addition to being one of the original co-founders of Damnationland, he has directed two feature-length films (Up Up Down Down and 12 Steps Outside) and many other short films, music videos, and documentary works.
Learn more about Allen and his work here.
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Regina Bartholomew
Regina Bartholomew is a left-handed native-born Mainer who resides in a tiny house in the forests of New Gloucester with her husband and creative collaborator Marc Bartholomew. In 2003 they founded Acadia Recording Company, and after years in the audio recording business their creative passion morphed into filmmaking. They have worked together on several 48 Hour Film Projects, as well as a 13-episode documentary series called The Acadia Sessions, which focused on Maine musicians and their recording process. They are currently in production of the sixth episode of the web series Vacationlanders. Regina’s screenwriting and directorial debut was the apocalyptic short film “Happy Motoring,” created in 2011 for the Bluestocking Film Series.
Learn more about Regina and her work here.
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The Sisters Grumbling
The Sisters Grumbling grew up in Wells, Maine, where twins Amy and Emily Grumbling (Production Designer) used to shoot short films (including a musical slasher pic) with a VHS camera. Amy, Emily, and their sister Megan have since formed the Sisters Grumbling in order to find ways to collectively and creatively use their powers for good evil.
Amy Grumbling (co-director, producer) studied video production and forensic anthropology at Hampshire College. She now freelance produces and edits, co-producing the award-winning feature documentary Heaven + Earth + Joe Davis about an artist who encodes poetry into DNA and sends vaginal contractions into outer space. She recently finished co-directing a short horror video with Coney Island Sideshow Bally Master Scott Baker, and co-produced and co-starred in the silent zombie film Silent Film Star V. The Undead.
Megan Grumbling (writer, co-director) writes poems about hoaxes, gold, and old codgers, reviews theater for the Portland Phoenix, and helps edit the Portland poetry journal The Café Review. She adapted and directed a flame-ridden Dangerous Liaisons for a site-specific performance inside an island armory, collaborated on an expressionist re-creation of the first live transatlantic radio broadcast for the 2011 Belfast Poetry Festival, and has worked on poetry with prisoners, police officers, and Buddhists.
Learn more about The Sisters Grumbling’s film “Carrying Place” here.
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Kyle Rankin
Kyle Rankin is best known for winning Project Greenlight and directing Shia LaBeouf in The Battle of Shaker Heights. Since then, he wrote and directed Infestation for Mel Gibson’s Icon, created Nuclear Family for Michael Eisner’s Vuguru, and directed the web virals Hellholes, Exhibit B-5, and Case Tape #347. He’s currently living in Los Angeles and writing an action film for Jeremy Renner’s production company. He attended York High, and is a graduate of the University of Maine in Orono.
Learn more about Kyle and his work here.
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R.J. Wilson
Born and raised in Auburn, Maine, R.J. Wilson graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2007, and, with collaborator Ross Morin, co-wrote and co-directed a feature-length horror film entitled The House on the Edge of the Pond. He now resides in Athens, Ohio, pursuing a Masters degree in Film Production at Ohio University, and is completing his thesis film, Syzygy, and a music video for Maine doom band Highfather. His films I Awoke to the Sounds of Someone Watching and Sanguinaria have both made their rounds on the film festival circuit, and his collaboration with Ross Morin Ad Noctum won Best Horror Short at the Illinois International Film Festival.