Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section got off to a hell of a start with the world premiere of Camp Miasma, a queer slasher that’s both riotously funny and bafflingly heady. She stars in the director’s third feature film, written and directed by Hanna Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, and on Wednesday night, when Schoenbrunn embraced her lead role, it drew a six-minute standing ovation, followed by thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.
“Okay, what do we do now?” Einbinder asked as the applause reached its climax and began to die down. When Einbinder thanked those who stuck it out to the end, Schoenbrunn said they were speechless. Those in the audience who were on the film’s wavelength could be heard getting excited along with the story, while the majority of the rest of the audience quickly left the theater as the screen went black. Those in attendance, including James Franco and Jordan Firstman, defended Schoenbrunn and his leading ladies. It’s clear that Mubi offers a polarizing genre, and it’s destined to become a new cult obsession for the director’s fans.
The film drew big laughs throughout its run for its scathing critique of Hollywood’s reboot culture, particularly the desire of major studios to bring a “woke” sensibility to long-dormant series IP. The laughs continued through many of the film’s over-the-top slasher scenes, in which most of the actors are covered in blood.
Director Schoenbrunn opened the screening by quoting rapper Drake. “There’s a song by Drake called ‘Started From the Bottom’ that says, ‘We started from the bottom and now we’re here,'” they said. “I can’t believe it, I can’t believe we’re standing here, I can’t believe I’m standing here in a room full of people who are here to see our movie.”
Einbinder went on to say, “Thank you to all the people here and all the collaborators in this room. There are so many other amazing collaborators who have poured their heart and soul into this film. I hope everyone comes out ready to laugh, ready to have fun, and join in the communal experience and kind of become one with each other tonight. We’ll see you on the other side.”
Anderson also said that this was her first time at Cannes and that she was proud to be there to support the film.
Mubi’s synopsis for the film reads: “After years of slapstick sequels and declining fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher series is taken over by an enthusiastic young director looking to revive it. But when she visits the original film’s star, now a mysterious and reclusive actress, both women find themselves in a world of blood-soaked desire, fear, and derangement.”
Schoenbrunn’s supporting cast includes Amanda Fix, Arthur Conti, Eva Victor, Zach Cherry, Sarah Sherman, Patrick Fischler, Dylan Baker, Jasmine Savoy Brown, Quintessa Swindell, Kevin McDonald, and Jack Heaven.
Prior to Camp Miasma, Schoenbrunn directed the critically acclaimed horror films We’re Going to the World’s Fair and I Saw the TV Glow, the latter released by A24. Both films had their world premieres at the Sundance Film Festival. Mubi said ahead of the Cannes Film Festival that Schoenbrunn’s latest film continues the director’s “body of work shaped by themes of transgender identity and queer horror.”
Mubi will release “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” in U.S. theaters on August 7th.
