Reported by Kieran Fisher for The British Horror Chronicle
In an age of fleeting spectacles and hurried entertainments, Mr. Lawrie Brewster and Miss Sarah Daly have accomplished a feat of grand ambition. Their latest work, The Reign of Queen Ginnarra, stands as one of the most remarkable independent productions seen in many a year. This stirring Gothic epic transports the viewer to the brutal kingdom of Elderon, where dark sorcery and grim ambition rule with a tyrant’s hand.
Queen Ginnarra, most commandingly portrayed by Miss Megan Tremethick, has seized her father’s throne with the aid of blasphemous gods who demand their tribute in blood. Her brother Elderon, the rightful heir, now a fugitive in his own land, must face monstrous apparitions, treacherous knights, and the insidious cruelty of his sister’s reign. Shadowed by a mysterious figure robed in black, perhaps Death itself, Elderon’s journey is fraught with peril and suspicion.
Running to a most generous three hours, The Reign of Queen Ginnarra is no trifle but rather a robust banquet of fantastical storytelling, with stirring battles and sinister horrors conjured forth from the darkest recesses of the imagination.
A Tale Steeped in Grim Portents
Unlike the gallant high fantasies of Mr. Tolkien, Mr. Brewster and Miss Daly have crafted a narrative steeped in treachery, sorrow, and grim determination. The kingdom is no place for noble quests or merry fellowship, but a den of schemers, cutthroats, and despairing common folk, crushed beneath the weight of Ginnarra’s tyranny.
Inspired by the political machinations of I, Claudius and the muddy, bloodstained realism of John Boorman’s Excalibur, the film eschews frivolity in favour of dark authenticity. Yet, amidst the squalor and terror, the flickering light of hope endures in Elderon, a reluctant hero whose resolve shall be tested beyond mortal limits.
Moreover, no Hex Studios production would be complete without an ample serving of Gothic horror. The Old Ones, drawn from the loathsome imagination of Mr. H. P. Lovecraft, loom heavily over the proceedings, and Queen Ginnarra’s foul bargains with these dread powers chill the very soul.
Miss Megan Tremethick’s Chilling Triumph
No monarch of cinema in this year’s offerings can rival Miss Tremethick’s merciless portrayal of Queen Ginnarra. With but a glance, she commands dread; with but a whisper, she condemns the innocent to unspeakable fates.
In private, her monstrous appetites are seen to flourish. In subterranean lairs, infants are offered to vile gods in exchange for dominion and sorcery. And yet, there exists a slender thread of tenderness, reserved solely for her son, the princely Raemin. Such glimpses of humanity do not redeem her deeds but rather deepen the tragedy of her corruption.
Miss Tremethick’s performance, at once regal and terrifying, rivals that of any celebrated actress of the screen, whether they be found upon the gleaming stages of Hollywood or in the grand halls of the British cinema.
Why Attend Upon This Film?
The Reign of Queen Ginnarra stands as proof that one need not possess a fortune to conjure grandeur and spectacle upon the screen. Mr. Brewster and Miss Daly have created a world brimming with myth, battle, and nightmarish wonder, a grim tapestry woven with threads of Gothic and cosmic terror.
Religious and political ideologies collide within this dark realm, where forgotten faiths and sinister cults have supplanted the ancient ways of man. In the grand tradition of Mr. Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man, the old gods rise again to challenge the soul of humanity.
Moreover, the richness of the setting, the elegance of the design, and the ferocity of the performances invite the viewer to linger long after the final frame. Here lies a world crying out for further chronicles, sequels, and tales yet untold.
In short, this film is a marvel of independent craftsmanship, and all involved are most deserving of praise and admiration. It is the fervent hope of this correspondent that Hex Studios shall return once more to these haunted shores in days to come.
Those wishing to procure a copy may find The Reign of Queen Ginnarra available for purchase via the British Horror Studio’s official Patreon page.
A Note on the Filmmaker
Mr. Lawrie Alyn Brewster is a Scottish filmmaker of considerable standing, known for his atmospheric horror pictures and tireless advocacy for independent production. He presides over Amicus Productions and directs the operations of Hex Studios and The British Horror Studio.
He has recently published an editorial entitled Lawrie Brewster’s 5 Brutally Honest Tips for Indie Filmmaking Success, which drew great admiration, and no small number of reposts, upon the Reddit platform.
Readers may peruse further writings and reflections by Mr. Brewster at his official Internet residence:
www.lawriebrewster.com
Mr. Brewster further discusses his latest motion picture, The Reign of Queen Ginnarra, offers his reflections on the current state of film distribution, and informs readers where they may obtain his earlier work, The Slave and the Sorcerer.
For a modern interpretation, readers are directed to Mr. Kieran Fisher’s companion article in Amicus Horror.