Jacob Gentry's latest offering, Broadcast Signal Intrusion is a cinematic amalgam. On the surface this is a neo-noir horror story about obsession, and loss. In particular, the terrifying knowledge that some things will simply never resolve, a theme that has been more and more prevalent the last two years. Additionally, this is a mood piece, with vibes of dread and paranoia that slowly ensnare the viewer as the narrative unfolds. Lastly, Gentry weaves together several loving homages to produce a unique sojourn into the dark side of the human condition.
James is a grieving husband whose wife mysteriously disappeared, who spends his time archiving VHS tapes for a local network and fixing various electronics to busy himself. While archiving, he comes across a signal intrusion involving an exceptionally creepy individual and he begins to follow a conspiracy-laden trail of clues that may ultimately lead him to his wife. Henry Shum Jr. (Glee) stars as James. The most potent attribute of this sensational performance is how organic it is. Shum balances everyman charm and dangerous obsession in equal doses and the result is a tragically human response to inexplicable sadness.
The centerpiece of this film is the world of 1999. Video tapes, low-fi editing equipment, and non-HD photographs are made to feel like relics from a world we no longer understand and, in many cases, have simply forgotten. Gentry pulls strings from Blow Out, Videodrome, and Zodiac to transport the viewer into his vision of the past and the result is a concept that works more as an idea than in execution. Viewers looking for concrete resolutions and exposition will find disappointment while those who view this film as more of an experience will find more to embrace.
The final ingredient is in how Gentry and cinematographer Scott Thiele invoke an aura of dread at every turn. Every character encountered is suspect, while every angle and point of view is untrustworthy. James' 1999 is a place of deep shadows, lonely corridors, and haunted abandoned locales. What makes Broadcast work so well is in what isn't shown, allowing the viewer to concoct endless theories about the intrusions and their nefarious origins, the touchstone of an exceptional horror film.
Now streaming on video on demand, Broadcast Signal Interruption is one of the most unsettling films of the year. Obscure, mysterious, and absolutely unrelenting, this is an outstanding example of the concept of less is more. Using a miniscule budget and an intriguing concept (based on a true story), Gentry has created an insidious specter to haunt the subconscious for years to come.
--Kyle Jonathan