THE STORY

"Stuck in a decaying suburban town, vivacious pink-haired Percy meets a foreign, nameless motorcyclist. When their encounter takes an unexpected turn, Percy’s body and mind are infested with an insatiable hunger."

Scumville's crux revolves around its absolutely bonkers twist. The first fifteen minutes assume the identity of a romantic comedy, coming of age film. The genre takes a sharp 180, nosediving into a gnarly body horror as Percy tries escaping the evil from both inside and outside Scumville. Though the genre shifts, the story remains a coming of age. Percy undergoes not only a physical evolution, but also a psychological evolution alongside it.

Though we can't disclose too much, it's all in an attempt to preserve the shocking twists and turns Scumville takes. Trust us, you're going to want to go in knowing as little as possible.

WHERE IS SCUMVILLE?

Located deep in a valley surrounded by thick forests, the unnamed Californian suburb, (dubbed “Scumville” by one of the town’s homeless residents) is the only pitstop between Here and There. This means plenty of travelers come and go, but the town’s residents are knee deep in quicksand. It’s a known fact that if you’re born in Scumville, you’ll die in Scumville.

THE TOWNSFOLK

Scumville’s residents have not only adapted to but embraced their permanence here. Society has reconstructed itself, and they’ve embraced a mantra: “Keep your toes out the trees.” This reflects Scumville’s fear of ambition, or thinking beyond the safety of the town’s border. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t, and only God knows what lurks beyond the trees...

KEY CHARACTERS

PERCY (19)

Percy is the biggest fish in the smallest pond. Stuck in Scumville, he sticks out like a sore thumb with his pink hair and overabundance of life. He’s been afflicted with oversaturated emotions and sensitivities, and then dropped into a town that treats this affliction like a curse. Because of this, Percy clings to anything “colorful” he possibly can: clothes, music, and if he’s lucky, people. 

THE MOTORCYCLIST (24)

The Motorcyclist is a mysterious yet intoxicatingly charismatic biker from France. Speaking in broken English with a thick French accent, he clearly doesn’t belong in Scumville. The Motorcyclist is only just passing through, but his striking features and eccentricities make him not only a magnet but a mirror for Percy. Claims not to have a name.

SISTER (22)

Deeply afflicted by a fake tan, libertarian beliefs, and a transactional relationship with God, Percy’s sister can be summed up by the trashy “MERCY” tattoo scrawled across her back. She is driven by pure, cold blooded spite, unknown towards what or whom. Much to her disdain, Percy’s been under her roof after moving out from his parents’ house. Frequents Scumville’s shooting range.

MADAME BLANCHE (70)

The face of Madame Blanche’s Refinement Retreat for Bad Boys in Good Homes. Naturally, she’s a lunatic. Maintains a light, cheerful tone, and is a little bit too into her work. Even though she’s usually found in a motorized wheelchair, Madame Blanche still cowers over everyone else. She’s tall and stout, with beady little eyes.

THEME & TONE

At it’s core, Scumville is about hunger. Following its big first act twist, the film employs fantastical, surreal tropes and genre conventions to reflect the most raw, human experience: our depraved, insatiable hunger for affection. Each turn the story takes further deepens Scumville’s question on “human nature,” touching on repression, regression, and reproduction.

Thematically, Scumville aligns itself with the ideas of sexuality and adolescence seen in films like It Follows(2014) and Raw(2016), while pulling influence from existentialist perspectives on morality seen in films like Under the Skin(2013) and Possession(1981). All of these protagonists are afflicted by something out of their control. Though considered societally unconventional, it plagues these characters like a biological need.

Check out our incentives on the right! In order for us to make this featurette, we must reach 80% of our fundraising goal. Any and all donations help; if you aren’t in a position to donate, support us by spreading the word about Scumville! 

We are now in pre-production and plan to begin filming at the end of June. Once we reach our funding goal, Scumville will transition into production which will take place over four weekend shoots. 

We will then take the project through post-production, and upon completion, enter into a circuit of both student and independent festivals. After its festival run, Scumville will be available digitally so everyone who made this film happen can experience it. 

All funds raised through this campaign will make it possible for us to support our talented and dedicated cast & crew through all the phases of production.    

Thank you so much for checking out our campaign! We are endlessly grateful for your time and generosity.

Much love,

Owain Collins (Director) & Aidan Maurer (Producer)