A Little Dead Podcast: Morris County (2009)

Unearthed Films is proud to present MORRIS COUNTY. Award-winning writer/director Matthew Garrett (Beating Hearts) presents a trilogy of thematically connected stories as gruesome as they are tragic and heartfelt. In a performance praised by both Fangoria and Rue Morgue, Darcy Miller is Ellie, a damaged teenage girl harboring a terrible secret. Through the course of one traumatic day we learn what led this innocent girl down a path of self-destruction from which there is no return. In The Family Rubin, an upper middle-class Jewish family struggles to keep up appearances as their seemingly perfect life begins to crack at the seams. Albie Selznick (Ricochet, The Young & The Restless) leads an ensemble cast in this shocking and heartbreaking take on the destruction of the modern American family. Elderly Iris is laid off in Elmer & Iris, forcing her to join her curmudgeonly husband in early retirement. When Elmer suddenly dies, Iris decides to keep his decaying body around out of fear of living - and dying - alone. Pamela Stewart (Hal Hartley's Trust and Amateur), Erik Fransden (The Colbert Report), and newcomer Alice Cannon star in this melancholy meditation on loss and the inescapable prison of old age. "Bolstered by grotesque FX from Brian Spears & Pete Gerner (I Sell The Dead, Stakeland, The Innkeepers), and a diverse score by electronic musician David Kristian (Karim Hussein's La Belle Bete and Douglas Buck's Prologue and Sisters), Morris County exposes suburbia's dark heart and the self-destructive compulsions that fester within." - Kier-La Janisse, author of House of Psychotic Women.

Bonus Materials

Commentary 1- Late-night, beer-infused commentary with Writer/Director Matthew Garrett & Kier-La Janisse, author of House Of Psychotic Women.
Commentary 2- Commentary with Writer/Director Matthew Garrett, Producer Thomas Rondinella, Associate Producer Adam Schoon, and Co-Editor Arin Sang-urai
Ellie Revisited: A conversation with actress Darcy Miller. (TRT 9 minutes)
Beating Hearts -Matthew Garrett's award-winning, critically-lauded dramatic horror short. (TRT 11 minutes)
Beating Hearts Commentary- Commentary with Writer/Director Matthew Garrett, Producer Thomas Rondinella, Associate Producer Adam Schoon, and Editor Arin Sang-urai
Beating Hearts Revisited: A conversation with actresses Gianna & Georgeanne Bruzzese (TRT 9 minutes)

Quotes:

"This is a powerful, soul-crushing film that redefines the definition of horror."
The Gore-Met
Rue Morgue Magazine

“Morris County exposes suburbia’s dark heart and the self-destructive compulsions that fester within.”
Kier-La Janisse
Author, House Of Psychotic Women

“Like a Haneke film, when the end credits roll, you’re left feeling like a little part of you has just died.”
Dave Jackson
Mondo Exploito

“Seen in succession, these films form a sledgehammer strong experience that is as emotionally wrenching as one could possibly hope for. The room was frozen. Simply incredible.”
Mitch Davis
Fantasia Intl. Film Festival

“…these dark stories are like a Norman Rockwell painting made from raw meat…”
Scott Johnston
Philadelphia Film Festival/Cinefest

“It's a drama - but the stories venture into such dark, bitter, raw, and rattling territory, the film is custom built more for horror fans than fans of conventional dramas.”
Eric Stanze
FearNet

"…this was a deeply unsettling film and well worth seeking out.”
Greg Christie
Twitch

“…alone as their individual segments and together as Morris County, this is a very moving, poignant film.”
Mike Everleth
Underground Film Journal

Awards:

Honorable Mention: Best Feature
2009 Boston Underground Film Festival

Official Selection: