By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The psychological ghost story begins its festival run this summer.
Severin Films has announced its latest original short genre movie, THE FATED HOUR, from Austrian filmmaker Peter Hengl (FAMILY DINNER). Based on Friedrich Laun’s story “The Relationship With the Spirit World,” which has been cited as a key influence on Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN, the 19th-century-set film stars Alina Schaller, Fanny Altenburger, Cornelius Obonya and Daniel Holzberg. The short was commissioned by Kier-La Janisse (WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED), who served as executive producer with Severin’s David Gregory and Carl Daft. The synopsis: “Austria, 1810. Three days before her wedding, Florentine visits the grave of her younger sister Seraphine—brilliant, otherworldly, and gone too soon. As the ceremony approaches, Florentine finds herself unable to share in her bridegroom Bruno’s joy. Over dinner, she recounts to him the strange and melancholy story of Seraphine’s life and death—and of the dark legacy she left behind. Soon it becomes clear that Florentine is not merely mourning her sister…”
“The oldest Gothic dread is always the most modern: that fate cannot be outrun,” Hengl says. “I was fortunate to explore this timeless story alongside performers who understood completely that the past and the present are never truly separate—that some things bleed through. For the production, we used analog distortions like various lenses and mirrors not just to evoke a retro vibe, but also to represent the spirit world in the film.”
“I’m very excited to have Peter Hengl’s Austrian ghost story joining our growing family of original Gothic shorts,” says Janisse. “Especially with all the incredible heritage locations and rich period detail.”
