‘The Power of the Strike’ Exclusive: A Bowl of Fun [Watch]
Dima Barch is one of the most promising filmmakers to hit the scene in recent years. Coming on the heels of his previous short film Dead End, he’s back again with a hyper-stylized piece set entirely in a bowling alley. The Power of the Strike combs such influences as George A. Romero, John Waters, Gregg Araki, and Joe Begos while peppering in Barch’s own unique perspective.
With its brilliant color and lighting, the film depicts “the reflection of the darkness surrounding me these last two years after leaving my homeland,” he says, referencing his roots in Moscow, Russia.
Barch went on to say,
“With almost no money in Berlin, where I knew just a few people before the filming and on post-production from all over the world, this short stemmed from such a strong desire to make something with my friends and a bunch of crazy enthusiasts to celebrate my favorite punk rock filmmakers.”
Check out the short film’s teaser trailer, exclusively on Dread Central!
Barch also draws from several other prominent modern masterminds. “There are some influences from James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s Saw and my beloved mentor Carter Smith, as well,” Barch says. “I’m a big fan of all of his works. The Ruins had blown me away when I was a kid. Swallowed did the same thing a year ago.”
The filmmaker notes that The Power of the Strike is “much bolder” than his previous work. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Barch might shotlist his entire movie, but he gives his actors plenty of room to play, hoping they “can bring something extraordinary” to the film. “Before filming the found footage scene in the middle of this short, we rehearsed and recorded a lot of improvisation,” he says. “All of that was cut off from the final version, but that really helped to build the strong chemistry between the antagonists.”
The Power of the Strike has landed several upcoming festival placements, including Panic Fest. More are coming in the summer and fall, indicating Barch has something truly special on his hands.
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