Made for Houston’s Splatterfest 2011 event, The Code is a short film that earned 11 awards including Best Film at the festival. Clocking in at just under 6 minutes, the film manages to shock and greatly amuse in large proportions, which is nothing short of spectacular in its limited run time. Of course, with it being so short, I won’t give anything away other than vaguely explain the plot: it’s the story of a two people enjoying a relaxing date until they are rudely interrupted by the most unlikely of beings.
Taking genre conventions and turning them on their head can work brilliantly, or fail miserably. The Code is a perfect example of how to do it correctly, and I believe it’s because the makers love the genre they are ever so gently lampooning; they know how it works, and they don’t take themselves to seriously. The film also won Best Kill, Best Splatter, Best Special Effects and Audience Favourite Film and it’s easy to see why: in fact, I’m not even sure it left any awards for other entrants to potentially win, with success in seemingly all the major categories. But just watch it, and you’ll see why.
As long as filmmakers like Mark Blitch, and actors such as Taylor Brandt (Shaun the zombie) continue to produce work like this, there is still hope for Hollywood in the future.
