Case Study: An Interview with Torin Langen
By: David Briggs
(Originally posted May 21, 2011 on Tri-City Film)
Astro zombies, corpse grinders, and hobo’s with shotguns are all right with Torin Langen. The further he delves into the esoteric world of cult and indie flicks the more inspiration he gains. His search has led him to the bigheaded aliens, mutated insects, and lab coats of 50’s sci-fi to the many exploitation flicks of the 60s and 70s. Distribution house Something Weird Video is a go-to favourite, and the “dime a dozen dollar bin slasher movies” always have something to offer the filmmaker. During our conversation, he mentioned that the last film he saw was Werewolves on Wheels (1971), and he was dying to see Hobo with a Shotgun (2011).
Sifting through what some would call cinematic debris helps fuel Torin’s productions. If we are truly products of our cinematic environment, Torin must exist as a locus of mad slashers, rubber suited monsters, revving bike engines, and screaming victims, all wrapped up in the ever so mysterious aura of a grindhouse B movie.
Sifting through what some would call cinematic debris helps fuel Torin’s productions. If we are truly products of our cinematic environment, Torin must exist as a locus of mad slashers, rubber suited monsters, revving bike engines, and screaming victims, all wrapped up in the ever so mysterious aura of a grindhouse B movie.
Well, at least his films are. Or the films he wants to make. And so far so good. With Case Study, Torin recently claimed top honour for a short film made by a youth at Kitchener’s Local Focus film
fest. Before this, he won Best High School Film at the Trebas International Student Film Competition, 2010. Toronto’s Scream Fest also screened Case Study in 2010.
Clearly, Torin is on a roll. Case Study is a disturbing short about a teenage girl who indulges in some rather twisted ideas. The character of Stacy is both vulnerable and dangerous, and
Cassandra Langmuir does a wonderful job bringing the role to life. The film exhibits some creative, at times frantic, cinematography, and Torin also includes a healthy sampling of over-the-top gore gags. The story, as the title card explains, is based on “the true story of a teenage girl from Eastern Canada.” The dialogue is taken verbatim from the girl’s “journal entries”. We are also warned, “this film contains graphic subject matter.” He stays true to
his influences. Tobe Hooper and thousands of massacre imitators would be
proud.
fest. Before this, he won Best High School Film at the Trebas International Student Film Competition, 2010. Toronto’s Scream Fest also screened Case Study in 2010.
Clearly, Torin is on a roll. Case Study is a disturbing short about a teenage girl who indulges in some rather twisted ideas. The character of Stacy is both vulnerable and dangerous, and
Cassandra Langmuir does a wonderful job bringing the role to life. The film exhibits some creative, at times frantic, cinematography, and Torin also includes a healthy sampling of over-the-top gore gags. The story, as the title card explains, is based on “the true story of a teenage girl from Eastern Canada.” The dialogue is taken verbatim from the girl’s “journal entries”. We are also warned, “this film contains graphic subject matter.” He stays true to
his influences. Tobe Hooper and thousands of massacre imitators would be
proud.
Torin plans to produce and direct a series of Case Study shorts and compile them for release. They may not follow the same characters, although they will focus on “the disturbed” types that may live down
the street. However, Cassandra Langmuir may reprise her role as Stacy to end the series.
When not thinking of new film projects—and trust me, he has many in development—Torin is actively engaged in the film community. He helped to organize the Waterloo Region I, Scream HorrorFest, and contacted indie filmmakers to contribute films. Two of the directors he contacted were Herschell Gordon Lewis and Ted V. Mikels. Obviously, Torin aims high. “We’re trying to build it each and every year,” he says, so who knows what will be on deck for the next event.
the street. However, Cassandra Langmuir may reprise her role as Stacy to end the series.
When not thinking of new film projects—and trust me, he has many in development—Torin is actively engaged in the film community. He helped to organize the Waterloo Region I, Scream HorrorFest, and contacted indie filmmakers to contribute films. Two of the directors he contacted were Herschell Gordon Lewis and Ted V. Mikels. Obviously, Torin aims high. “We’re trying to build it each and every year,” he says, so who knows what will be on deck for the next event.
Horror films strikes a chord for Torin in part because he considers it a “challenge to try to do something original with the medium”. For him, “it’s a matter of trying to find your own style” without retreading the same old situations. He strives to avoid the clichés that haunt the genre.
When asked what attracted him to the films of Lewis, Mikels, and others, he explains that these independent productions tend to foster a “friendly atmosphere” that is “more involving” than your average Hollywood offering. “And the films are great. It’s fun to see what they were able to do with no money.” Obviously, the lessons pay off. He admits with a certain amount of pride that Case Study was made for three dollars, a budget entirely devoted to a leg lopping effect. “It’s more impressive to me when you see in an independent film someone’s head get lopped off whereas when you see it in a mainstream blockbuster you know it’s all CGI. It just seems more hands on.”
When asked what attracted him to the films of Lewis, Mikels, and others, he explains that these independent productions tend to foster a “friendly atmosphere” that is “more involving” than your average Hollywood offering. “And the films are great. It’s fun to see what they were able to do with no money.” Obviously, the lessons pay off. He admits with a certain amount of pride that Case Study was made for three dollars, a budget entirely devoted to a leg lopping effect. “It’s more impressive to me when you see in an independent film someone’s head get lopped off whereas when you see it in a mainstream blockbuster you know it’s all CGI. It just seems more hands on.”
He tells me about a potential project simmering on the backburner, although the details are elusive. “Something crazy, over the top, it
doesn’t have to be taken seriously, just be fun to watch.” I would expect nothing less. After all, with titles to his credit including
Humanoid, Urban Spectre, Epidemic Voodoo, and the upcoming Black Magic Massacre, the notion of creating something over the top is a promise he can deliver. After all, the B-film spirits have found a host in Torin Langen.
As for the current state of grindhouse-inspired offerings, Torin has mixed feelings. We discussed the elusive atmosphere and vibe of classic B-movie fare, and he mentioned that most contemporary attempts to capture it fall flat. “It’s hard to capture that atmosphere without it feeling like a gimmick.” In an ideal world, such retro inspired filmmakers would offer “something more sincere,” as opposed to a cash grab.
doesn’t have to be taken seriously, just be fun to watch.” I would expect nothing less. After all, with titles to his credit including
Humanoid, Urban Spectre, Epidemic Voodoo, and the upcoming Black Magic Massacre, the notion of creating something over the top is a promise he can deliver. After all, the B-film spirits have found a host in Torin Langen.
As for the current state of grindhouse-inspired offerings, Torin has mixed feelings. We discussed the elusive atmosphere and vibe of classic B-movie fare, and he mentioned that most contemporary attempts to capture it fall flat. “It’s hard to capture that atmosphere without it feeling like a gimmick.” In an ideal world, such retro inspired filmmakers would offer “something more sincere,” as opposed to a cash grab.
However, Torin believes that his films—and future productions—will resonant with audiences. We talked about Hobo with a Shotgun, an indie film that well captures the B-movie vibe, and how this film could mark a turning point for many producers. Torin sees this release as marking a possible change within the industry. “I feel that in this upcoming decade we’re going to have new creative people getting into the industry who are going to start changing things for the better.” Call him an optimist. Perhaps he is right, and perhaps he will be one who makes those changes.
