Fantastic Fest 2009

Salvage is not just a cracking thriller.  It's one of the most intelligent films about fear I have ever seen." - James Christopher - Chief Film Critic - The London Times

In suburban Liverpool, a nice cul-de-sac in a safe neighborhood where the worst problems are infidelity, ugly divorces and subsequent familial dysfunction, residents are suddenly shocked by the appearance of black-clad SWAT soldiers wielding heavy artillery. They have surrounded the house of an immigrant family. The father, a quiet and friendly physician, emerges from the house brandishing a knife. To the horror of all, the soldiers gun him down, then herd all the witnesses into their homes with dire warnings to stay inside. So begins a night of violence, terror and paranoia. Itís unclear if itís the soldiers themselves who are the threat, or if they are actually protecting the citizenry from something far, far worse.

Making the most of the small budget with sets confined to just a few rooms and a small cast, writer/director Lawrence Gough uses his limitations to good effect, creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia and uncertainty where fear and death are potentially lurking behind every familiar corner. The danger is merely glimpsed, hinted at rather than seen, increasing the sense of paranoia and tension. The cast does a wonderful job with the characters, each of which is nicely fleshed out. Itís wonderful to see a low budget film that really nails all aspects of the production, showing that itís possible to deliver a smart film in which there are alternative paths to genuine scares than giant explosions and CGI effects. (Karrie League)