Strange Factories
A writer journeys through a dream-like landscape of cults and visions.
Strange Factories is a 2013 British experimental horror film written and directed by John Harrigan, produced by the immersive theatre and production group FoolishPeople. It blends film with live performance, making it a work of interactive cinema. The story follows a writer named Victor as he travels through a dreamlike landscape searching for performers from a theater that burned down. Along the way, he uncovers a bizarre cult, a sinister pact he made with the factory's owner, and is haunted by visions and a low humming noise coming from the factory.
Filming took place in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, and in Prague, Czech Republic. The cast includes John Harrigan as Victor, Annalisa Astarita as Hettie, Rachael Blyth as Emma, Tereza Kamenicka as Lady Thayn, David Monard as Sam, Claire Louise Oliver as Jessica, Lucy Harrigan as Rose, Claire Tregellas as Jess, Mark Postgate as Arlec, and Xanadu Xero as Marina.
Critical reception was mixed. Ain't It Cool News gave a positive review, noting the film may not suit literal-minded horror fans but offers much for those who appreciate theatricality, writing technique, and surrealism. Sarah Stewart of *The Londonist* praised its atmosphere, suspense, and innovative mix of film and live performance. Rachel Simm of *The Latest Brighton* gave it three out of five stars, calling it "eerie, unsettling and somewhat puzzling" while also praising its atmosphere and suspense.
Quick Facts
- Director
- John Harrigan
- Producer
- John Harrigan / Lucy Harrigan / Tereza Kamenicka
- Starring
- John Harrigan / Annalisa Astarita / Rachael Blyth
- Music
- Stephen Baysted
- Cinematography
- Yiannis Katsaris
- Editing
- Bettina Fung
- Studio
- FoolishPeople
- Released
- 26 October 2013
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The plot follows a tormented writer named Victor, played by John Harrigan, who travels through a mysterious, dream-like landscape in search of performers from a theater that mysteriously burned down. As he continues, he uncovers a bizarre cult under the hallucinatory influence of a nearby factory and a sinister pact he once made with its owner, all while tormented by visions and a strange humming sound from the factory.
Reader's Guide
Strange Factories is significant for its experimental approach to horror, combining traditional film with live performance elements in an interactive cinema format. The film was shot in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, and in Prague, Czech Republic. Reception was mixed but noted for its atmosphere and suspense; Ain't It Cool News praised it for fans of surreal and offbeat work, while The Londonist highlighted its innovative blending of celluloid and live-action. The Latest Brighton gave it three out of five stars, calling it 'eerie, unsettling and somewhat puzzling.' The film remains a niche example of British experimental horror and immersive storytelling.
Did You Know?
- The film was produced by the British immersive theatre collective FoolishPeople.
- John Harrigan, the director, also plays the lead role of Victor.
- The film features a mixture of film and live performance as part of its interactive cinema format.
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