This year at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest the First Blood strand of programming is especially strong. Each year there are one or two that are shining beacons, but 2023 is a vintage year with each of the four films screening being worthy of acclaim. The First Blood films will screen on Discovery Screen 1 on Saturday 26th August, with Chris Cronin’s The Moor kicking off the festivities.
The Moor is one of our thirteen films to not miss at FrightFest due to its emotive story, compelling performances, and beautiful cinematography. The story follows Claire (Sophia La Porta) as she is approached by Bill (David Edward-Robertson), the father of her murdered childhood friend, to help investigate the haunted moor that he believes is his son’s final resting place. Populated with park rangers, misty moors, psychics, and sheep, The Moor presents a different approach to the ‘traditional’ horror formula. Told in a way that feels part true-crime, part found footage and part emotional drama, Cronin crafts an unsettling narrative that takes time getting to the scares. The investment is entirely worth it and we have been unable to shake several haunting images since we first watched The Moor. With that in mind, we were thrilled to steal some of director Chris Cronin’s time.
Born in Huddersfield, Cronin is the perfect voice for this story. The Yorkshire Moors have amassed plenty of notoriety over the years and it feels that only a local could accurately capture the suspicion and paranoia that surrounds the land. FrightFest’s First Blood strand champions new voices in horror and The Moor is an exceptional start for Cronin. During our pre-festival discussion we spoke of the eeriness of the moors, growing up in the nineties, and exactly why you should catch The Moor on the big screen at FrightFest.
The Moor screens at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest on Saturday 26th August 2023. Tickets are still available here.
