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Although Maxi Contenti describes his feature The Last Matinee as a “neo-Giallo,” the narrative’s heart and soul lies in the slasher genre. Contenti talked to Deepest Dream about how, amidst all the horror, lies a refreshing slice of nostalgia with The Last Matinee.
release. Photo courtesy of DARK STAR PICTURES & BLOODY DISGUSTING
Set in 1993 Uruguay, the narrative centers on a several moviegoers who may be attending their “last matinee.” A trenchcoat wearing killer (played by director Ricardo Islas) is in the building and no one is safe. Rounding out the ensemble are Luciana Grasso, Julieta Spinelli, Franco Duran, Patricia Porzio, Emanuel Sobré and Pedro Duarte.
Director/co-writer Max Contenti describes his movie as “very low budget,” but thankfully he wisely used his resources. A theater in Montevideo he frequented as a youth serves as the film’s main location, and Contenti’s visual and pacing skills are on full display.
Maxi Contenti cites Blow Out as his favorite Brian De Palma film:
Viewers wanting their share of kills will get their fair share, but one of the story’s strengths lies in the slow build before the explosive denouement.
“It was constructed as a slow burn,” said Contenti. “Even though this is a slasher, I needed to build up this world. Even though it’s a fantasy, I wanted to go back to this 90s (setting) and make it rich and believable. And have patience with the narrative.”
