By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The paranormal chiller has a preview screening in New York City in early May.
Writer/director/producer George Tsouris sent along the exclusive pics seen below with word that his debut feature TOTEM CHASER will have an early public showing Wednesday, May 3 at Brooklyn’s Alpine Cinema (6817 5th Avenue). Tickets are free if you e-mail Tsouris at georgetsouris@yahoo.com or contact him via Instagram DM @George.Tsouris. Inspired by both “the crazy horror films of the 1980s” and more recent movies such as GET OUT and HEREDITARY, it stars Catherine Parish, Marquevias Turner, Cody Michalowski, Arielle Hope, Charmien Byrd, Daniel Alatorre and Briana Brown. The synopsis: “In TOTEM CHASER, a video crew seeking the truth of a paranormal cult find the haunted house of their dreams. But at the same time, the cult priestess lures them to be unwitting sacrifices. Her plan is to manifest the unholy deity into flesh and blood, and rule the world. All the while, the video crew only want to get the wicked spirits on camera for the first time, and enjoy the fame and fortune that is sure to follow. But the deeper nature of reality reveals itself, and opens their eyes to the true content of their souls. When they find themselves in too deep, it is a race against time for the video crew to stop the embodiment of a demonic god…or will their own flesh feed the Totem Cult?”
With experience as both a philosophy and literature professor and in the realms of music, live theater and musicals, Tsouris also created award-winning short films and music videos before beginning development of TOTEM CHASER in 2019. “The idea originally began as a result of my literary research into early-20th-century weird stories,” he tells us, “especially the works of Algernon Blackwood, and French Grand Guignol plays, particularly the plays by Maurice Level. These seemed like perfect works to adapt for a new, crazy horror film. However, as the writing process progressed, the screenplay blended with some of my short films, like GEMINI AMULET and A MAN WHO KILLED HIMSELF, and the completely new story for TOTEM CHASER emerged.”
The project gave Tsouris the opportunity to cast several past collaborators, as he describes: “Catherine Parish plays the producer trying to keep things together. Tall, dark and handsome Marquevias Turner is the host with the most in front of the camera. The quirky and lovable Cody Michalowski plays the cameraman who just wants to get the job done. And the eccentric Briana Brown is an overenthusiastic fan who gets a little too close.” The ensemble also includes “three New York actors whom I have long admired. Arielle Hope is a Brooklyn indie darling whose unique look and style are embodied in the villainous cult priestess. Of the multiple talents of Charmien Byrd, it was her dance background that gave the ghost a magical energy. Daniel Alatorre uses his biting edge to bully the protagonists as the boss man.”
TOTEM CHASER was shot during summer 2020, and Tsouris recalls, “After experiencing the pandemic lockdown, the cast and crew were enthusiastic to get back to work on set. Everyone worked together to respond to the unique challenges of the COVID experience, and I believe we succeeded in making a film that will make audiences scream, laugh and think.”
