User Reviews

"Flowers for the Dead" is a short "1 reeler" Ghoul/Zombie film (although it's actually filmed in Super 8!) It's notable for its use of the cemetery featured in absolute classic (and Trope creator) Night of the Living Dead. It's not a remake however, but a homage to the original with a new story. It's clear throughout that Director and writer Joe Barbarisi holds a life-long love for horror movies and Romero in particular. Those looking for gore or high quality special effects will be disappointed, but those who prefer frights based on story telling will be happy. It's a bit light on dialog given the nature of this story, however many will prefer the movie's focus on action. I'd still call it "character driven" as there is a focus on two particular featured players.... leaving the question: which side will you root for?

Michel de Montaigne of Breaking Fate Magazine Review of 'Flowers for the DEAD' from the Living Dead Film Festival last weekend in Willow Springs IL

Flowers for the Dead (40m)

I was excited for Flowers for the Dead (directed by Joe Barbarisi), as it was the first "serious" film of the night. Shot on super8, Flowers is a no-nonsense homage to Romero; a slow-burn black and white suspense story with classic, fresh from the grave, slow moving undead. The film follows Linda, who's bringing the titular flowers to her recently deceased mother. She hears strange reports on the radio but thinks nothing of it until a rotting man in a suit tries to take a chunk out of her jugular. The atmosphere is magnificent, with shadows used so liberally and effectively it makes you forget you're not watching the Cabinet of Doctor Caligari. German Expressionism aside, what makes this film truly compelling and frightening is the overwhelming sense of isolation. There are no other characters, it's just Linda and the residents of the cemetery. Minimalist in its approach, Flowers doesn't try to be anything other than what it is; a 40 minute horror time capsule from 1968.