Two short films by Matthew Holness

January 24, 2013 3:43 PM

The Snipist - a post-apocalyptic nightmare set in a post-rabies Britain (warning: absolutely bleak). A Gun For George - a short film about crime-writer Terry Finch, author of the 70s Kentish fiction masterpieces The Reprisalizer.

Matthew Holness previously on Metafilter - The Reprisalizer, Darkplace.

posted by dng (16 comments total)

a post-apocalyptic nightmare set in a post-rabies Britain

Ooh, goody, this sounds right up my alley!
posted by KokuRyu at 3:56 PM on January 24, 2013

Dean Learner (Richard Ayoade) interviews Garth Marenghi (Matthew Holness). I was just checking out The Reprizalizer site the other day, hoping for some news. Darkplace is one of the funniest series I've ever seen, and I love to see Holness do a feature. Now I'm off to watch The Snipist.
posted by dortmunder at 4:07 PM on January 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

The Mad Death!
posted by Artw at 4:18 PM on January 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Very bleak. It's like an 80s British television filter was applied to the film. Thanks for posting this.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:21 PM on January 24, 2013

Ok, I've got a question. I've watched part of The Sinipist, and I've checked out Artw's link. Is Holness satirizing some insane British fear of rabies? I mean, it's a dangerous virus, but the vaccine was invented by Louis Pasteur in the late 1800's, so really not that scary. It's not as if there isn't a way to protect animals and people should there be an outbreak.
posted by dortmunder at 4:32 PM on January 24, 2013

Fear of rabies making it over from the mainland was a Big Deal in the 80s. No idea why it was so big in the public consciousness then and has faded now.
posted by Artw at 4:35 PM on January 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Britain is rabies-free and has really strict animal quarantine laws to keep it out (and the attendant scary posters). I think it's basically a manifestation of our absolute fear of France.
posted by dng at 4:37 PM on January 24, 2013 [8 favorites]

Thanks guys. That gives me a frame of reference.
posted by dortmunder at 4:43 PM on January 24, 2013

Yeah, I'd like to go on record as saying that I do not live in gloriously rabies-free England, and yet I own an actual dog that has not yet contracted this dread disease. I have also personally seen rabies-free foxes.
posted by Michael Roberts at 4:43 PM on January 24, 2013

Fear of rabies making it over from the mainland was a Big Deal in the 80s. No idea why it was so big in the public consciousness then and has faded now.

Cujo was a documentary.
posted by dng at 4:46 PM on January 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I saw a raccoon in daylight stalking my cat and chased it away with a hammer!
I have also personally seen rabies-free foxes.

* Apparently we do not have rabies in the NW though. The fat cheeky fuck was probably just wandering around in daylight because they pretty much feel like they own Seattle and can wander around when they choose.
posted by Artw at 4:52 PM on January 24, 2013

Well, we *do* have rabies in Indiana and also here in Hungary. Raccoons stalk cats because it's fun, though. No rabies needed. Raccoons are weird.
posted by Michael Roberts at 4:55 PM on January 24, 2013

Yes. YES. YES.
posted by Sticherbeast at 6:29 PM on January 24, 2013

I have rabies now and I wish you all to know that I love you and I didn't mean or ths to happppen ;KJADS;LKFJA;LSKDJF;ASKJDF;LKAJSDF;LKJAS;D
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:59 PM on January 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

Britain is rabies-free and has really strict animal quarantine laws to keep it out (and the attendant scary posters).

Hahahahahaha. Chunnel.
posted by The Bellman at 10:52 AM on January 25, 2013

How Britain's Rabid Obsession Has Altered the Channel Tunnel
posted by Artw at 11:15 AM on January 25, 2013