Fantastic Fest 2008

Brief Summary:
The middle-high school students in a small Danish village have figured out that their abusive new substitute teacher is actually a space alien on a vanguard mission to investigate taking over the earth. They just can’t seem to convince their parents or the administrators.

Full Description:
What happens when an alien invasion doesn't come in the form of crop circles and giant spaceships with lasers blasting, but arrives in the form of a 6th grade substitute teacher with a sweet spot for chicken blood and tormenting the kiddies? Somewhere sitting on another planet and universe an alien race has decided to kick a little 6th grade ass and perhaps take over Earth while they're at it. Can a group of ragtag punks and whiners led by down-on-his-luck Carl look past their differences, put their headphones down and overcome their inner demons long enough to stop an alien invasion from happening and even better yet, convince their parents they simply aren't crying wolf? The stakes are high as they begin to be mercilessly tormented and the bodies (and chickens) start piling up.

THE SUBSTITUTE is a movie that could go in many directions. Luckily, in the hands of Ole Bornedal we get one of the more refreshing science fiction entries about a group of kids since Joe Dante's EXPLORERS. Unlike EXPLORERS, it earns an R rating as it explores some very dark themes and has one of the grisliest chicken death scenes in the history of cinema. With themes exploring the innocence of youth and its endless imagination, Bornedal crafts a modern day Brothers Grimm tale that ponders large themes with a sugary sweet demented smile. Who knew alien invasions could be this much fun? Adding to the enjoyment, this is by far the wildest and most primal part to date from Paprika Steen, one of the greatest of the current crop of European actresses. Much like Heath Ledger as the Joker in THE DARK KNIGHT, you can't wait for her to reappear in the film to see what she will do next. Is she an alien with a secret desire to have us all for breakfast or is she simply a misunderstood creature with a jam box standing outside our windows blasting Huey Lewis on a quest to find love? Dan Lausten (BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF) does the cinematography. (Blake Ethridge)

This film is sponsored by DVD Empire.