Chimera (2003/I)

Director:

Michael A. Martinez

Writer:

Jesper Pingo Lindström (writer)

Genre:

War | Short | Action | Horror | Thriller | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A small group of soldiers on a remote dew-line outpost in northern Canada discover that scientific experiments conducted there have created a horrible monster that has been terrorizing the base. |

Plot Keywords:

Werewolf | Exploitation

Cast

Tim Jahn	...	Sgt. Smith
George N. Thompson	...	Pvt. Harry Combs
Pete Stepovich	...	Pvt. Richard Johnson
Marcus McLucas	...	Pvt. Mark Little
Charles C. Pierce	...	Dr. Lesley White (as Charlie Pierce)
Brandon Baca	...	Burke
Greg S. Campbell	...	Lt. Sergei Schloika
Raymond L. Martinez	...	Fake Shemp
Michael A. Martinez	...	Fake Shemp (as Mike A. Martinez)
Dan Warlick	...	Fake Shemp

Directed by
Michael A. Martinez		(as Mike A. Martinez)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Jesper Pingo Lindström		writer

Produced by
Fred Anderson	....	associate producer
Jesper Pingo Lindström	....	executive producer
Michael A. Martinez	....	producer (as Mike A. Martinez)
Ted V. Mikels	....	associate producer
George N. Thompson	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Oneiros

Cinematography by
Michael A. Martinez		(as Mike A. Martinez)

Film Editing by
Michael A. Martinez		(as Mike A. Martinez)

Sound Department
Jesper Pingo Lindström	....	foley artist
Michael A. Martinez	....	sound (as Mike A. Martinez)

Special Effects by
Chris LeDoux	....	special photographic equipment
Emma Lindström	....	special effects assistant
Jesper Pingo Lindström	....	special effects
Raymond L. Martinez	....	special effects
Britta Thurin	....	special effects assistant

Visual Effects by
Chris Mayo	....	matte artist

Stunts
Dim	....	stunts

Editorial Department
Nick Pinansky	....	assistant editor

Production Companies

• Penguin Films
• Scythe Productions

Distributors

• APE
• Geneni Film Distributors
• Penguin Films
• Scythe Productions

Also Known As:

"The Werewolf Cult Chronicles, Part 1: Chimera" - USA (series title)

Runtime:

USA:22 min

Country:

Sweden | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Filming Locations:

Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

Company:

Penguin Films

Trivia:

The ending was changed while filming because of budget restrictions. The original ending featured the soldier getting thrown into the helicopter rotors by the werewolf. This was never filmed and changed by the director.

Movie Connections:

Followed by The Werewolf Cult Chronicles: Vietnam 1969 (2005) (V)

So-So Indie Werewolf Short Film

When I was watching CHIMERA, I got the feeling I was watching something from the late seventies. That isn't a bad thing. Likewise, CHIMERA isn't a bad film. At only 22 minutes long, it dosen't wear out its welcome and the film makers clearly did the best they could with the ultra-low budget they had.

In fact, bad audio and some wooden acting are really the only problems CHIMERA suffered from. The gun and gore effects, though rare, are decent, and the direction is kind of nifty at times, but we never actually see the Werewolf aside from its hands. Plus, there were times when I had to adjust my speakers to hear what the actors were saying.

The plot revolves around a group of soldiers investigating an abandoned research facility in the Arctic Circle, and lo and behold, they find a Werewolf that kills them off one by one. Sure, its generic, but I don't mind unoriginality much, just as long the film itself isn't that bad.

And CHIMERA isn't that bad. It has a couple suspenseful moments, and does something imaginative with its generic plot line. I'd recommend seeing it at least once. Now if only the audio wasn't so bad...