Programme

Something in the Dirt

Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, USA 2021, 116’
Polish premiere
Runner The Unknown Country

Is it possible to make a successful film inspired by the X-Files during the lockdown? Yes! This is a combination of scientific documentary, social satire and bromance, created during the pandemic. Two neighbors discover paranormal phenomena in their building and decide to take advantage use of the encounter.

Where others might see a crystal ashtray, DIY filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead envision some kind of haunted relic, a portal to another dimension or maybe just the ideal prop on which to base their next screwy sci-fi imagination-tickler. Audiences who’ve experienced a Moorhead&Benson film — eerie vacation-sex nightmare “Spring,” perhaps, or else UFO death-cult puzzler “The Endless” — already know how the pair can spin elaborate mind games out of duct tape, twine and popsicle sticks. In “Something in the Dirt,” they somehow manage more with less than ever.

‘Something in the Dirt’ Review: Two Dudes Try to Document Eerie Phenomena in Low-Budget Mind-Bender (variety.com)

Magdalena Bartczak

Justin Benson

Justin Benson is a director and actor, born in San Diego in 1983. His collaboration with Moorhead began in 2012 with the shooting of a low-budget horror film, Resolution. Since then, they have made all their films together. In 2014, they made the horror film Spring, presented, among others, at the Toronto IFF. Three years later, they made Endless - a well-received production at the intersection of horror and science fiction, awarded, among others, at the Korean BiFan and at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival. 

Selected filmography

2012  Resolution

2013  Wrecked (short)

2014  Spring

2017  Nieskończony / Endless

2019  Synchronic

2022  Coś w spłachetku ziemi / Something in the Dirt

Aaron Moorhead

Aaron Moorhead is a director, producer, cinematographer and actor, born 1987 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. His collaboration with Benson began in 2012 with the shooting of a low-budget horror film,  Resolution. Since then, they have made all their films together. In 2014, they made the horror film  Spring, presented, among others, at the Toronto IFF. Three years later, they made  Endless - a well-received production at the intersection of horror and science fiction, awarded, among others, at the Korean BiFan and at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival. 

Selected filmography

2012  Resolution

2013  Wrecked (short)

2014  Spring

2017  Nieskończony / Endless

2019  Synchronic

2022  Coś w spłachetku ziemi / Something in the Dirt

Cast & Crew

director Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
screenplay Justin Benson
cinematography Aaron Moorhead
editing Justin Benson, Michael Felker, Aaron Moorhead
music Jimmy LaValle
cast Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Sarah Adina Smith, Vinny Curran, Gille Klabin
producer Justin Benson, David Lawson Jr., Aaron Moorhead
production Rustic Films
sales The Festival Agency
language English
coloration colour
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