THE GATE (CUTDOWN VERSION) from Joyrider Films on Vimeo.
If you’re a fan of sci-fi films, or if you know anyone who is, then you’ve probably had the conversation about whether Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel/sequel/pre-sequel Prometheus is a) an outrage on the franchise or b) a welcome addition to the canon, exploring philosophical ideas of immortality, technology, and our creation. It’s a tough call, but whatever side you fall on, you’ll probably agree that Fassbender’s performance was pretty cool.
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While that debate continues at bars and forums across the world (and will no doubt be repeated when the Blade Runner sequel comes out), at least Prometheus has brought sci-fi back into the mainstream. And while big budget sci-fi flicks battle it out at the cinema with Madagascar 3, the more low-budget fare can be found online. A great example of what can be accomplished without a Hollywood budget is this troubling short, The Gate, directed by Matt Westrup.
It has lots of freaky creatures and a plot line about unregulated chemicals that will have you thinking twice about purchasing cognitive-enhancing drugs. And, as a ray of light to budding filmmakers, the short’s been picked up by Wayfare Entertainment , who have acquired the rights to produce and finance a feature-length version of it.
