Savageland

“Savageland” is a 2015 American mockumentary horror film crafted by Phil Guidry, Simon Herbert and David Whelan. The film deftly intertwines a chilling narrative with immigration, discrimination, and supernatural occurrences while examining the complex relationship of reality.

Plot Overview

In Sangre de Cristo, a small border town in Arizona, the film begins with a documentary style storyline focused on the horrific bloodshed of 57 residents in a town wide massacre. The only survivor, Francisco Salazar (portrayed by Noe Montes), an undocumented immigrant and amateur photographer, is found covered in blood and becomes the prime suspect. Despite it being unreal to blame a lone person for such an intolerable act, the prevailing atmosphere of racial animosity and the politically charged environment leads to Salazar being arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. However, the existence of a roll of film taken by Salazar that night containing haunting photographs of a more sinister and otherworldly force challenges the societal norms and deeply-rooted prejudices at hand, revealing, astonishingly, a different truth altogether.

Main Cast

Noe Montes as Francisco Salazar : The haunting figure whose pictures help piece together the mystery.
Monica Davis as Monica Romas : Journalist exploring the different sides of the story.

Edward L. Green as Gus Greer: A town “native” who gives commentaries on the inner workings of the town.

George Lionel Savage as Sheriff John Parano: The primary police officer who takes charge of the case.

Lawrence Ross as Himself: A journalist playing the role of an investigator providing an analysis on the phenomenon.

Themes and Social Commentary
“Savageland” expands beyond typical horror films by including powerful social critique:

Xenophobia and Segregation: In great critique of rushing the judgement of Salazar, the film tackles issues of immigrant profiling and scapegoating.

Media Deformation: It looks at how narratives are crafted and the truth is often concealed, challenging the validity of official statements compared to uncovered ones.

Man vs. Evil Supernatural Forces: By contrasting prejudice and human horror with supernatural terror, the film suggests that societal fears are as destructive as any other threat.

Critical Reception
The film has been recognized for its originality and provoking ideas:

Mike Wilson of Bloody Disgusting commended the film’s execution and social relevance stating it “disturbs doubly with social commentary.”

Viri Garcia of the Cornell Daily Sun noted the film’s unnaturally relevant exploration of immigration issues.

Culture Crypt’s Roger Maléspin rated the film 4/5 and praised its pacing and genuinely frightening elements.

Unique Approach
With a mockumentary twist, “Savageland” challenges the boundaries of fiction and reality while forcing the audience to confront unsettling societal truths regarding prejudice and the definition of evil.

Its employment of chilling black-and-white images serves to remind viewers of the unnoticeable terrors hiding beneath the facade of quaint, small-town America.