Review: SALT AND IRON (2019)

Salt And Iron is the latest short from George James Fraser (My Little Miracle, Balletomane). Clocking in at about nine minutes it’s an enjoyable piece that feels like an update of some of Hammer’s films like Twins Of Evil or Lust For A Vampire.

In what seems like a dream come true heavily inebriated fisherman (William DeCoff, Blackwater Farm, Lazarus Rising) sees a scantily clad woman running through the woods. She entices him to follow, not that it took much effort. However, too much of a good thing isn’t always better. And dreams can become nightmares at the most unexpected times.

Featuring a good deal of blood and nudity in a woodsy setting, Salt And Iron could easily have been a scene from a 70s horror film. Probably one from the UK or Europe with its beautiful photography and goth sounding score. I mentioned Hammer, but it also made me think of Jean Rollin or Jess Franco on one of his better days.

And like Rollin or Franco, Salt And Iron doesn’t tell you to much about what’s going on. Are these women vampires who can come out by day? Some kind of wood nymph or freshwater siren? A coven of witches? All we know is they’re oddly, and barely, clothed and don’t have our protagonist’s best interests at heart.

My one complaint about the film is a minor one. I have nothing against ink and piercings, but given the context and setting here they seemed out of place on the women. Having them look more like a part of nature would have helped Salt And Iron’s mysterious feel.

Overall though Salt And Iron is an excellent short. It’s looking for festival showings and is worth seeing if it plays one near you. You can keep updated on the Stained Glass and Blood Bath Productions Facebook page.