It is becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable and decent accommodation in most major cities in the Western world. The more popular the city, the more difficult it gets. If you’re looking for a nice, central and affordable apartment in say London, San Francisco or Tokyo, you may as well forget it. It’s no better in Los Angeles, which provides the setting for David Marmor’s new film, 1BR.
Sarah (Nicole Brydon Bloom) is desperate to put an unhappy past behind her and start a new life in Hollywood. She begins a new job as an intern but what she really wants to do is design costumes. There’s also the problem of getting her own apartment. However, by some miracle that seems to be all taken care of after she attends an ‘open house’ and is successful with her application. Unlike most blocks, there seems to be a strong sense of community. Maybe a bit too close?
1BR works so well due to the believability of its lead. Bloom impresses as Sarah who oscillates between rabbit in the headlights and grim determination. So desperate to move on and be independent that she can’t see what’s happening around her. Marmor’s film is a very modern fable. One which tests the boundaries of cultism and reminds us that some things are too good to be true. 1BR is a very modern horror with echoes from throughout the ages.
1BR screened at Grimmfest.
