Natasha Harmer has done it again. In 2013 she performed her one-woman cottage industry act when writing, producing and directing her short film Once Bitten, Twice Shy. I can attest to her skills in all three endeavors as the lovely lady cast me in the lead role as the hunter with a secret. In 2015 she has worn a triple hat once again with The Beast on the Moor. A short black comedy that will appeal to those who know what village pubs are like in Britain’s small villages and for those who loved the opening of American Werewolf in London, the film will also be a delight.
A couple of tourists who are thinking of relocating to this small village near the moors stop into the local pub for a drink and a little information. The publican, whose dark presence in the shadows does not bode well for the two, is not a welcoming figure at all.
This use of a local urban legend, or would that be rural legend, to turn away unwanted outsiders who want to settle in the village is clever and funny and hides a message. It is not too unbelievable when one considers the amount of resentment from village residents at the “posh” out of town residents who work in the city and only show up on weekends and holidays.
These part time residents drive the price of houses and property up for the folks who actually live there all the time. The message is that these part-time villagers are making it hard for the folks from the village to continue to live there. That is my understanding and may not be what Natasha meant at all. You’ll have to ask her.
Possible messages aside, the lighting is perfect for this “punk’d” scenario and the location is perfect. As the story progresses the music fits the mood perfectly and the sudden O. Henry ending is delightfully done. The actors all perform their parts well and the publican (bartender) was a last minute replacement to the originally hired actor who had to drop out.
Sadly, this will be the last film from Natasha for a while. When I expressed dismay at this news she explained that losing access to all that equipment on loan from the University was a major factor in her decision to “retire.”
The Beast on the Moor can be found on YouTube and Vimeo, as can Once Bitten, Twice Shy. Head on over and have a look, it won’t take long and I promise you will enjoy it. The cast list includes Midge Mullin as Trevor, Tracey Norman as Sandra, Mark Norman as Jason, and Luke Abbot, from Oracle of Film plays James.
9 May 2015
Michael Knox-Smith
Understood. I know I’d never have the patience to attempt directing! As for editing? My own YouTube videos get the “Clint Eastwood” edit, once over and then, “Yup! That’ll do!” LOLOL You also do a great job writing about them! 🙂 And, writing them!
They seem to live in fear of anything new, they seem to see it as a threat. Most of my inspiration came from ridiculous protests happening in my home village over a few new houses being built xD no doubt the worry was mainly about who would move in and not so much about the environment!
I’m not so sure, dare I say it I actually don’t enjoy filmmaking…it’s more of a ball ache than it’s worth! If studying it for three years has taught me anything, it’s that I prefer to just watch them 😛
Ahaha no way 😛
I actually don’t even remotely enjoy filmmaking, studying it for three years took the spark out :/ not my thing…although making the beast was fun 🙂
PS Liked your cameo in the film! 🙂
Good call Luke! I hope you are right! I know a little bird told me ages ago that a feature length film was talked about at one time…Thanks for stopping by and commenting matey!! 🙂
I did enjoy it a lot. I’ve lived in those small villages where “outsiders” were not so welcome, mainly because “They’re a lot of city folks who have no idea what living in the country means.” Example, my late father-in-law’s favorite complaint was that the London part-timers always complained about the mud on the roads from the farmer’s tractors. LOL presumably the locals did not have a moan about the slippery streets! 🙂 Perhaps after a break you’ll return! Finger’s crossed. 🙂
Personally I think this whole ‘retirement’ thing is a ruse for a shock third film. A feature, perhaps!
Thanks muchly for the write up 😀 I am glad you liked it!
You pretty much hit the message on the head 🙂 although I don’t think it makes life difficult for the people in those small villages, I just think they’re ignorant and a bit mean 😛 my family were once told to eff off back to where we came from by a neighbour just because we’d moved there from nearer London XD haha charming 😛
Thanks again 😀 one day I may return to filmmaking but it’s lost its spark for now…to much like hard work 😛
Exactamundo!
In the history of great movies, the best roles were often played by the second or third choice. We can’t even imagine someone else playing the role now. Nothing wrong with that last minute subbing. That’s how history gets made.
LOL It really is quite good. The chap who plays the bartender was a last minute replacement and you’d never know it! 🙂
I bookmarked it. I can’t watch it now, but I will watch it in the morning when all is quiet. I’ll have to cope with a different star 😉
While the film doesn’t benefit from having moi in it, LOLOLOL, it is very good and another example of why I think this young lady is so talented. 🙂
I’ll go take a look!