Movie of the Day: 7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana (2024) by Richard Fysh

Link to watch: https://www.amazon.com/placeholder_title-John-Doe/dp/B0DTQFNTZR (US),

https://www.amazon.co.uk/placeholder_title/dp/B0DTQDFD88/ (UK)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31390712/

Link Review: https://screencritix.com/8954-zopqea/

About movie: https://www.richardfysh.com/

"7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana (2024)" by Richard Fysh: An Independent Genre Blend

Richard Fysh's 2024 film, "7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana," is an independent feature that boldly blends elements of horror, comedy, satire, and musical genres. Directed and written by Fysh, the movie offers a unique, low-budget take on the murder mystery and slasher film.

Detailed Summary

"7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana" is described as a chaotic and absurd concoction that follows Amber, a cynical young lesbian woman grappling with the recent death of her ex-girlfriend, Rachel. As Amber navigates her grief, a killer is on the loose, and she becomes entangled with Rachel's boyfriend, Steve, leading to tense and venomous interactions. The film incorporates musical numbers and satirical elements, offering an unconventional approach to the slasher genre. It also touches upon challenging subjects such as homophobia, mental health, and murder, often within a comedic framework. Made on a minimal budget, the movie embraces its independent spirit to deliver a story that is noted as being unlike any other.

Plot Summary

The plot centers on Amber, who is dealing with the death of her ex-girlfriend, Rachel. With a killer on the loose, Amber finds herself involved in a murder mystery that also includes Rachel's boyfriend, Steve. The narrative weaves together elements of horror, comedy, and musical numbers as Amber navigates the chaotic events.

Director's Vision

While a specific detailed statement from Richard Fysh about his vision for "7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana" is not widely available, his background as an independent filmmaker known for making films on a "pre-owned shoestring budget" suggests a creative approach driven by resourcefulness and a distinct personal style. The film's blend of disparate genres and its tackling of potentially sensitive themes through satire likely reflect a vision that aims to challenge conventional filmmaking norms and offer an ironic perspective on aspects of US culture and modern life, as mentioned in one review.

Themes

• Grief and Loss: The film explores the protagonist's struggle to cope with the sudden death of her ex-girlfriend, forming a central emotional core of the story.

• Identity and Sexuality: With a lesbian protagonist and mention of LGBTQ+ characters, themes related to identity and sexuality are present and integrated into the narrative.

• Satire and Social Commentary: The movie uses satire to comment on various aspects of modern life and potentially US culture, offering an ironic perspective on challenging subjects.

• Genre Blending: A key thematic element is the deliberate fusion of horror, comedy, satire, and musical genres, creating a unique and unconventional viewing experience.

• Mental Health: The film touches upon mental health, indicating an exploration of the psychological impact of the events on the characters.

Key Success Factors

Detailed information on specific key success factors such as significant box office return or widespread critical consensus is not publicly available. However, potential factors contributing to its recognition or appeal may include:

• Unique Genre Combination: The film's unconventional blend of horror, comedy, satire, and musical elements sets it apart.

• Independent Spirit: As a low-budget independent film, its very existence and completion can be seen as a success factor, demonstrating the filmmaker's dedication.

• Exploration of Themes: The willingness to tackle challenging subjects like homophobia, mental health, grief, and murder within its unique framework could resonate with certain audiences.

Summary Short

"7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana" is a 2024 independent film by Richard Fysh that mixes horror, comedy, satire, and musical numbers in a low-budget murder mystery centered on a lesbian protagonist dealing with her ex-girlfriend's death and a killer on the loose.

Awards and Nominations

The IMDb page for "7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana (2024)" indicates that the film has received 1 win. However, the specific award or category for this win is not detailed in the publicly available information. Richard Fysh's previous film, "What You Can't Promise," received nominations and a "Filmmaker to watch" win at the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival in 2022.

Critics Reception

Detailed critical reception from a wide range of sources for "7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana (2024)" is limited in public search results. However, snippets from two reviews offer some insight:

• UK Film Review: Describes the film as "A casually coherent concoction of chaos. And fruit." and a "movie certainly unlike any other," praising its merging of genres and its engaging interpretation of a modern slasher. It notes that while not perfect, "there is something captivating about it" and commends the low-budget filmmaking. However, it also mentions elements that "fall flat," such as awkward moments, inconsistent narrative pacing, and some actors struggling with dialogue.

• Screen Critix: Commends the effort to complete a full-feature film on a minimal budget but finds that the movie "fails with many of the basic elements that make up a film." The review criticizes the heavy reliance on dialogue, uninspired cinematography, amateurish screenplay with implausible dialogues and plot holes, and the disruptive inclusion of musical interludes, stating the film "falls short of delivering the requisite tension and coherence expected of the genre."

Reviews

Based on the available reviews from UK Film Review and Screen Critix:

• UK Film Review: Found the film to be an absurd but fun blend of genres and an engaging take on the slasher, despite some flaws in pacing and acting. The reviewer felt invested in the protagonist's story and commended the low-budget production.

• Screen Critix: Was largely critical of the film's technical aspects and screenplay, citing issues with cinematography, dialogue, plot holes, and the tonal inconsistency caused by the musical numbers. While acknowledging the effort behind the independent production, the reviewer felt the film lacked tension and coherence.

Overall Summary of Reviews: The limited available reviews present a mixed picture. While some appreciate the film's unique genre blending, independent spirit, and engaging protagonist, others point out significant flaws in technical execution, screenplay, and narrative cohesion.

Production

"7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana (2024)" was made on a reported budget of approximately $3,000 USD. Richard Fysh served as both the director and writer. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes and 38 seconds. Based on available information, it appears to be an independent production, with "Richard Fysh" listed as the production company on IMDb, suggesting a self-produced effort.

Production Companies

Based on public information, the production is primarily associated with Richard Fysh himself, indicating an independent production effort. No other specific production companies are widely listed.

Theatrical Release

"7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana (2024)" had a theatrical release in the United States on September 18, 2024. A public screening also took place in Niagara Falls, New York, USA, on September 20, 2024.

Why to Recommend This Movie

• For Fans of Experimental/Indie Film: Its unconventional genre blending and low-budget approach make it a potential recommendation for those interested in independent and experimental cinema.

• Unique Concept: The idea of merging a slasher with musical numbers, satire, and an LGBTQ+ focus is highly unusual and could appeal to viewers seeking something different.

• Support for Independent Filmmaking: Recommending and watching this film supports the efforts of independent filmmakers working with minimal resources.

Why to Watch Movie

• Experience a Unique Genre Mashup: If you are curious about how horror, comedy, satire, and musical elements can be combined, this film offers a distinct example.

• See a Low-Budget Production: For aspiring filmmakers or those interested in the process, the movie provides an instance of what can be achieved with very limited financial resources.

• Explore Diverse Storytelling: The film's inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes and a focus on a lesbian protagonist contributes to more diverse representation in genre film.

What Movie Trend film is following

The film follows the trend of genre bending and hybridization in independent cinema, where filmmakers experiment with combining elements from disparate genres to create something new and unconventional. It also aligns with the trend of low-budget independent horror, where creative constraints often lead to innovative approaches.

What Big Social Trend is following

The movie follows the social trend of increasing LGBTQ+ representation in media, specifically within genre films like horror and comedy, contributing to more diverse characters and perspectives on screen.

Final Verdict

"7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana (2024)" by Richard Fysh is a noteworthy independent film primarily for its ambitious and unconventional blending of horror, comedy, satire, and musical genres on a very limited budget. While critical reception appears mixed based on the few available reviews, with some praising its unique concept and others highlighting technical and script weaknesses, the film stands out for its sheer audacity and independent spirit. It is a film likely best suited for adventurous viewers who appreciate experimental cinema and are willing to overlook production polish for a truly original concept and a diverse narrative voice. Its significance lies more in its unique approach and independent production than in widespread critical or commercial success.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Embrace Creative Constraints: The film demonstrates how a low budget can necessitate creative choices and a willingness to experiment with form and genre.

• Develop a Strong, Cohesive Script: Pay close attention to script development, ensuring plot consistency, believable dialogue (even within a satirical framework), and clear character motivations, as weaknesses in these areas can detract from the film's impact.

• Prioritize Technical Fundamentals: While budget is a constraint, focusing on fundamental technical aspects like cinematography and sound can significantly enhance the viewer experience.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Genre Experimentation: Encourage and provide platforms for independent filmmakers who are pushing the boundaries of genre and exploring unconventional combinations.

• Recognize Low-Budget Talent: Acknowledge the creativity and dedication required to produce feature films with minimal resources and create avenues for these films to be seen by a wider audience.

• Champion Diverse Voices and Stories: Actively seek out and support films that offer diverse representation and explore a range of identities and experiences within popular genres.