Each year at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest there are one or two films from the Discovery Screen strand of programming that capture the audience’s attention. This year’s 25th anniversary edition of the festival was no exception, with Dean Alioto’s The Last Podcast being one of the breakout movies.
Dean Alioto is best known for his work as a pioneer of the found-footage subgenre with the 1989 film The McPherson Tape, but The Lost Podcast could not be more different. Alioto forgoes the found-footage format in favour of telling a twisted dark horror comedy about an ambitious podcast host. On his podcast ‘ParaNormalcy’ Charlie Bailey takes the mickey out of those who believe in ghosts. His girlfriend, Brie (Kaikane), wishes he wasn’t so mean-spirited about debunking spirits, but Charlie’s humorous, sarcastic style is what his burgeoning audience loves. All this changes when Charlie meets Duncan (Gabriel Rush), a junior professor at Pasadena-Tech University. Duncan claims he can scientifically prove there’s no afterlife. When his experiment goes awry, Charlie’s life and career are turned upside down.
The Last Podcast had its world premiere at FrightFest and sold out not one, but two screenings. The reception was overwhelmingly positive with THN commending Dean Alioto’s ability to balance the light and the dark, creating a film akin to something like An American Werewolf in London. During the festival, Dean Alioto and his producer, Alison Widdoes, attended the FrightFest media wall where THN took the opportunity to find out a little more about the genesis of the project, as well as delving into why everyone finds podcasts so fascinating to listen to. Watch the video below to find out more.
The Last Podcast was reviewed at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest. For news about future screenings and releases keep your eyes on THN as we’ll share updates as we get them.
