Fantastic Fest 2009

German director Robert Krause (whose short film DER SIEG won over 14 international awards) makes his feature debut with this simple, yet breathtakingly tense survivalist thriller set among the cycling trails of an unnamed American mountain range.

Bike messenger Anne (Rebecca Palmer, INTIMACY; QUIILLS) never imagined the horrific events that would unfold when her casual run-in with a stranger named Chris (Ben Price) leads back to his apartment. After a night of frightening, violent sex that reveals Chris to be someone she really doesn’t want to get to know better, Anne goes home and tries to forget about the whole thing. Tortured the next morning by a vicious hangover and a guilty conscience, she proposes a romantic escape to the mountains with her boyfriend, Michael (Tom Frederick), both of whom are seasoned cyclists. The fresh air and scenic beauty does wonders for the couple as they sail down the bike trails of the exotic mountain range - but Anne is struck with the uncanny feeling that they are not alone on the deserted paths. Her demented one-night stand of the week previous suddenly appears and slays Michael before her eyes, beginning a deadly pursuit and leaving Anne with no choice but to race frantically downhill for her very life. Chris follows her turn-for-turn on a dangerous journey where no obstacle will get in his way - a journey where every path and every trail leads to a bloody end.

Complimented by spare but atmospheric sound design and luscious cinematography marked by the rich greens of the forest landscape - as well as some gory surprises – it’s no surprise that BLOOD TRAILS was snatched up by Lion’s Gate for release early next year.

AUDIENCE AWARD: Best Feature, Dead by Dawn 2006