AFTERSHOCK
Movie Review by Yevette Renee Nelson
Eli Roth (Hostel) goes in front of the camera to star in Chilean director’s Nicolas Lopez (Santos), first American film debut “AFTERSHOCK.†A gruesome tale of a group of tourists who finds themselves in a horrific earthquake in the beautiful coastal city of Valparaiso, Chile…
American tourist, who goes by the name Gringo, (Roth) enjoys the last days of his vacation in Chile with his new found friends and tour guides Pollo (Nicolas Martinez) and Ariel (Ariel Levy). After touring a vineyard tasting Cabernet, the three spends the evening bar hopping. On a quest to score with the ladies; recently separated Dad and lawyer from San Diego, Gringo strikes out at every turn with the women, including Selena Gomez in a cameo appearance.
The group runs into sisters Monica (Andrea Osvart) and Kylie (Lorenza Izzo) visiting from America, along with their Russian friend Irina (Natasha Yarovenko). The girls agree to go along with Gringo, Pollo and Ariel to the seaside town of Valparaiso for more partying. Just when you start getting a sense of who they are, disaster hits the crowded nightclub when a violent earthquake strikes, leaving the group running for their lives as they dodge collapsing buildings and lawlessness.
Ariel spends his time obsessively texting his ex girlfriend and has his hand severed off trying to save the club’s bartender. The six of them finally make it out of the club only to find their cars has been totally destroyed. With tsunami warnings blaring, looters ransacking and prisoners terrorizing the City, they make honorable attempts to help each other at time when they all suffer injuries, and self preservation is the order of the day. Who are the unlikely heroes during the gruesome and shocking fatalities?
Roth is a very likeable and anchors the film. Levy gives an animated performance, while of the three woman; Osvart is the one with the most depth.
A splatter-fest for certain, AFTERSHOCK is sure to stun with its brutal pandemonium.
I had the opportunity to sit at a round table with co-star Andrea Osvart and director/co-writer Nicolas Lopez to discuss their new film “AFTERSHOCKâ€
Yevette Renee Nelson This is your first horror film. Is this a genre you would like to do again?
Andrea Osvart: Yes. Why not? I have tried all kinds of genre. I see there is a great fan base for horror in the U.S.
Yevette Renee Nelson Who in the US would you like to work with? Which producers or actors?
Nicolas Lopez Eli. He will start making movies in Chile. We are working on a T.V show together. It is a horror and comedy show. There are a lot of directors that I admire. I like to work independently. The more money, the more problems you with making a film.
Opens May 10, 2013
Rated: R
Runtime: 1 hr 30 min.
Genres: Horror
Cast: Eli Roth, Andrea Osvart, Ariel Levy, Lorenza Izzo, Natasha Yarovenko and Nicolás MartÃnez
Director: Nicolas Lopez
Executive Producers Nicolás López (Eli Roth to designate credit) and James Holt
Producers: Eli Roth, Brian Oliver and Miguel Asensio Llamas
Written by Eli Roth (WGA credit app. is filed before credit is final) Nicolás López Guillermo Amoedo
Casting: Kelli Martin Wagner, CSA and Dominika Posseren
Special FX make-up: Felipe Figueroa
Special FXs: Patricio Aguilar
Costume Designers: Elisa Hormazabal and Jeremy Scott
Art director: Marichi Palacios
Music: Manuel Riveiro
Production Designer: Nelson Daniel
Editor: Diego Macho Gómez
Director of photography: Antonio Quercia