Adult. Premieres Short Horror Film

Posted on May 12th 2010 5:30PM by Liisa Ladouceur
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Detroit synthpunk duo and budding filmmakers Adult. have announced the release of the second film in their 'Decampment Trilogy': the Midwestern horror short 'Traditions.'

But the scariest thing for fans may be that they will probably never see it. Adam Lee Miller and Nicola Kuperus like to keep their films under wraps even after they've wrapped -- their 2008 short 'Decampment' has only screened three times (in Detroit, LA and Mexico City) and has never been made available for sale or viewing online.

'Traditions' is destined for a similar fate. It will get a world premiere on May 30 at a special event in Toronto, a double-bill with 'Decampment,' and feature Adult. performing their live score. After that, not even the band is sure when or if they will screen it again. Not that they'd tell you if they were.

"It's a bit of a secret society," Miller tells Spinner.

"What we're saying to our fans is 'don't videotape what goes on here and put it on the Internet, don't run around telling everyone about the film.' And so far they haven't. Our fans are so loyal, they're really in this with us."

Miller describes the 40-minute film as a "non-linear" sequel that once again puts the band's musical score in the spotlight. (While 'Decampment' was completely silent and without dialogue, 'Traditions' will feature some subtitles.) Beyond that, only this much is clear: the plot may or may not revolve around Easter Weekend, pretty girls smoking cigarettes and gore.

The style will likely be similar to Kuperus' photography, with its emphasis on dead female bodies and vintage cars, and the project is inspired in some way by the gumption of independent horror icons like Sam 'Evil Dead' Raimi and John 'Halloween' Carpenter, the latter of whom not only directed but also composed his own scores.

The music from 'Decampment' was released exclusively in a limited-edition series of 7" vinyl singles, while there is currently no plan to put out the score for 'Traditions.' Which means if you want to hear the latest from Adult., you'll need to be there in the flesh.

"We're really romantic," explains Miller. "In a time where everything is so accessible, we want to make experience that's memorable for the people in the room. I still get people coming up to me in Detroit asking when we're screening 'Decampment' again. They say 'I missed it because I was sure you'd be putting it online or showing it again.' I tell them nope, you've got to come and see it in person. We promise you won't be disappointed."