THE TAINT: Richmond Underground Filmmaking

Posted by: Ian – Apr 20, 2010

Being traumatized by the films of Drew Bolduc is nothing new to me. For many years he was a regular presenter at Project Res, where his short films generated controversy and walk outs. When his feature project The Godening! screened, I left unable to forget the grotesque images he included in his film with potato chips. In his shocking visuals, however, were deeper questions and subjects being addressed, and it took time to get that perspective. I started working with Dan Nelson at VCU, and saw his technical ability become refined over several semesters in the Photography and FIlm Department. His potential for complex visual effects and digital productions delvers here. I was thrilled when I heard about a potential project the two were working on together.

onstage at the Byrd

Drew's concepts, unique acting, and characters would be in great hands with Dan bringing his technical prowess to the project. The films plot about a scientific development of a penis enhancement drug follows a horror film genesis that does a full on presentation of misogyny that by the end has succeeded in being an examination of and not an example of. It will be a polarizing film with those that get it and those that it does upset or repel. It is a child of 21st century media and its parents are underground internet material and zombie cult horror comedy films.

Ghostly! Not pictured: dicks.

The well-attended Byrd premier was full of laughter, groans, and shrieks of glee during the revealing of The Taint. To the point of me laughing giddily while no one else was, a sure mark of a good film in my eyes. Knowing full well the complex undertaking that the filmmakers set for themselves to have something screenable by April 17 left many gaps, and they suggested flaws in the timeline after many all nighters prepping for the screening. Exciting as it was, the audience’s first time seeing the film was their first time seeing it as well. Every digital film has screenings and cuts that correspond to them, after screenings the film is retooled and comes out stronger. The potential of the project is great; it is funny, the acting is enjoyable, and the Richmond locations set a great backdrop to the insanity. With more rest, some time for reflection and polish, I have no doubt that Dan and Drew have an exceptional, strange feature project to unleash on America and planet Earth.

ung

Their in-your-face gross sexual humor should take the underground of Richmond filmmaking to festivals all over. I look forward to seeing the next pass, and highly recommend, if you can stand to see what internet porn's effect can be on the zombie genre, keep an eye out for the next unveiling of The Taint. It was asked of me by RVAMAG management to provide a penis count for the project, and including some transcendental sequences of penile enlightenment, it could be in the hundreds. I can’t believe I just wrote that. Dan said they are in a box in his apartment.

Todd Raviotta
RVA Independent Film contributor