‘Breathe in fear’
Machination is a 2022 psychological horror film about an anxious young woman forced to confront the monsters that haunt her when news of an out of control pandemic has gripped the world and mass panic is pushing humanity into an uncertain future.
Co-produced and co-directed by Sarah Jayne and Ivan Malekin from a screenplay written by the latter.
The Maltese production stars Steffi Thake, Rambert Attard, Sean James Sutton and Andrew Bonnello.
Plot:
Maria, a sensitive and anxious woman, struggles to cope with self-isolation. With fear mounting and the demands of the world closing in, Maria is forced to confront her past and the monsters that surround her … both without and within.
PR blurb:
“Claustrophobic, intense, and led by a gripping performance by Steffi Thake, Machination is a sharp, spiralling thriller about the consequences of breathing in constant fear.”
Reviews:
“This is a low-budget, indie affair; the distributor claims it cost 6,000 Euros. It was shot mostly in an apartment, mostly with just Maria. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting, at times powerful film. An oddball mix of Covid skepticism, feminist critique, and exploitation horror.” Communist Vampires
Cast and characters:
Steffi Thake … Maria
Mikhail Basmadjian … Father
Sean James Sutton … Ian
Andrew Bonello … Peter
Nicole Thake … Young Maria
Matteo Testa … Young Yorgen
Simone Ellul … Newsreader
Rambert Attard … Yorgen
Monika Kopcilova … Woman in car
Film facts:
Machination was an entirely improvised film.
Release:
Machination will premiere on Digital platforms via the Nexus Production Group on May 20, 2022.
Trailer:
