Writer-director-producer Mitchell Altieri is best known as one half of The Butcher Brothers - a name he shares with Phil Flores - but he leaves his regular nom de plume behind, along with the strict horror focus of the Butchers' work, with his upcoming SXSW selected feature
Holy Ghost People. In some ways the shift in credited name is a bit surprising as Flores and regular Butcher collaborator Joe Egender are very much present in the film, but in other ways it makes perfect sense. Because while The Butcher Brothers have become something of a brand, brands can be restrictive when you want to do something a little bit different. And this very much is different, though existing fans will still find plenty of darkness within.
In this psychological thriller, nineteen-year old Charlotte enlists the help of alcoholic ex-Marine Wayne to find her estranged sister who has gone missing deep in the Appalachian Mountains. Their search leads them to the Church of One Accord and an enigmatic snake-handling preacher named Brother Billy, who's devoted congregation of outcasts knowingly risk injury or death seeking salvation in the Holy Ghost. What Wayne and Charlotte uncover during their time on the mountain - about themselves and the nature of faith - will shake them to their core, as the mystery of Charlotte's sister and her fate unravels...
Emma Greenwell, Brendan McCarthy and Joe Egender star along with a whole lot of snakes.
Holy Ghost People premieres March 10th at SXSW and we've got the first quartet of stills for you below. Remember, you can click the stills to enlarge.