BLINDED SUSPENSE: ALVAREZ'S "DON'T BREATHE"

BLINDED SUSPENSE: ALVAREZ'S "DON'T BREATHE" 

By Jesus Macarena-Avila  Uruguayan-born and raised filmmaker, Fede Alvarez was in Chicago on Thursday, August 18th to attend a pre-screening of his latest film "Don't Breathe" at Muvico's Carmikes Theater, located in Rosemont.

This special screening was part of the 3rd Annual "Bruce Campbell's Horror Film Fest", in conjunction with the "Wizard World Comic Con Chicago".
This film is the same vein of classic exploitation and suspense cinema such as Wes Craven's "The Last House of the Left", Tobe Hooper's "Texas Chainsaw Massacre plus elements of "Cujo".  Before the film screening, Alvarez was introduced by the legendary cult icon, Bruce Campbell and stayed afterward for a Q/A session with the audience moderated by Josh Goldbloom of Awesome Festival, based in Philadelphia.

Alvarez is among other young South American filmmakers are taken a shape of their careers in Hollywood; Alvarez made it into the limelight with his 2013 remake of an iconic horror film "Evil Dead" (in which Campbell starred in his first acting debut).  "Don’t Breathe" is about three young people burglarizing the homes of wealthy people, for the next stint they decide to invade the home of a wealthy blind military veteran, a wrong choice.

The blind veteran, played by Stephen Lang (who was in attendance for the Q/A session) wreaks havoc on his invaders, followed by a morbid plot twist. During the Q/A session, Alvarez explained that the story is set and partly shot in Detroit, Michigan but shot its interior scenes in Europe.   Alvarez offered some good advice for independent filmmakers in attendance, to create films and not just pay attention to technical aspects but also stay focused on the story.

Although for Chicago's independent film community, Uruguayan film professionals are no strangers. We got filmmaker, Ricardo Islas who has produced and directed numerous films plus newcomer screen and play writer, Ruth Camargo.

"Don’t Breathe" will be playing on the big screen nationwide on Friday, August 26th, so if you are looking for shock and suspense… this film is for you.