Dance The Night Away

Dance The Night Away

Bruce Von Stiers

I was a bit intrigued when seeing the poster for a new horror short film. The film is Boogie Down. I thought, cool, a ‘70's disco era thriller. Platform shoes, afros, miniskirts, dance floors and revolving mirror balls. But no. This wasn't a disco era film. But it does have a bit of dancing in it.

The film begins with Michelle and Kevin returning home from a date. They barely get in the door when things start getting hot and heavy. But their dog that's tied to a staircase railing begins to act up. Apparenty, he wants to go outside. Well, that kind of kills the mood. Sort of.

But before Kevin takes the dog outside to go to the bathroom, Michelle tells him something. She says that last night something happened. He says he knows, but she says it's something else. While outside she'd saw someone in the distance. It was an old man who stared at her then began dancing.

Well, Kevin makes light of it and begins to dance himself. Michelle joins in. Then there is some kind of weird flashback or something.

While Kevin is out with the dog, the film shows Michelle uncovering something. This changes the whole dynamic of the film. It goes from some slight paranoia to possibly something ominous about to happen.

Michelle was played by Katherine Rodriguez. She starred in the horror short film, The Ringmaster and appeared in an episode of American Gigolo. Jonathan Wiggs was Kevin. He co-starred in the comedy short film, Hot Soda and appeared in a trio of episodes of Mystic Quest. Brittney Doiron was only in one scene, but it was a pivotal moment in the film. She appeared in the films, The Neighbor Who Saw Too Much and Secret Love Triangle.

Bruce Burns and Caleb Zlomke appeared in the film. The dog in the film was Winnie.

Andrew Jukes was the writer and director of the film. His credits include The Hill and Threshing Floor. He also co-produced the film with Natalie Brady. Her listed credits are The Wonder Years and Skeleton Crew. A third co-producer was Jacob Horn, who has helped produce twenty-five feature films. And the fourth co-producer for the film was Joshwa S Copeland who appeared in the film, The Neighbor Who Saw Too Much.

The cinematographer was Nick Albert. He has been a camera operator for such shows as NCIS: Los Angeles, Sneaky Pete and The Reagans.

The original score and music in the film was from Joe Fournier.

After clearing up my misconception of the era portrayed in Boogie Down, I found that I enjoyed the film. Michelle and Kevin seem to be a fun, hot for each other couple. But when Michelle reveals her uneasiness about possibly being watched, the film takes a slightly darker tone. And that pivotal moment I mentioned, that moves the film into a whole new direction. What is going to happen and to who makes this as much a thriller as a horror film. But in either case, it was well acted, and the plot kept my interest.

Boogie Down is an official selection at the upcoming Santa Clarita International Film Festival.

Back to the BVS Reviews Main Menu

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _