Cyclops At The Cinema

Shudderbugs

I admire meditative films that explore the depth of emotion in a situation — and Shudderbugs is a wonderful example of just such a film. Written, starring, and directed by Johanna Putnam, Shudderbugs is a beautiful, sensitive, and subtle psychological thriller that chronicles a woman’s unraveling psyche as she deals with the death of her mother.

I’m not the only one to be smitten — the film has won several awards — including the Indie Spirit, Rising Star (Naples International Film Fest), Best Actress (Kansas City Film Fest), Best Director, Best Screenplay (Idyllwild International Fest), Indie Auteur of the Year (Bare Bones International Film Fest), Festival Director’s Choice (Cinema on the Bayou), and Special Jury Mention (Oxford Film Fest). I’m certain that there are more awards to come for this one!

Shudderbugs opens with a soundscape that envelops the mind before the visuals start, finding its way to the question, ‘Miss Cole…Miss Cole, do you know where you’re going?’ and this is the very question we spend exploring with Sam Cole (Johanna Putnam) throughout Shudderbugs. The layered, compelling sounds and bright image of Sam staring upwards at us feels Lynchian, and that feeling continues as the score seeps in and we see Sam driving…