Be My Cat: A Film for Anne

Be My Cat: A Film for Anne
Directed by Adrian Țofei
Produced by Adrian Țofei
Written by Adrian Țofei
Starring
  • Adrian Țofei
  • Sonia Teodoriu
  • Florentina Hariton
  • Alexandra Stroe
Cinematography Adrian Țofei
Edited by Adrian Țofei
Distributed by Terror Films
Release date
  • March 1, 2015 (2015-03-01) (Fantasporto [1][2])
  • December 5, 2016 (2016-12-05) (Limited VOD Release)
  • April 27, 2018 (2018-04-27) (Wide VOD Release)
Running time
 87 minutes
Country Romania
Language English
Budget $10,000[3]

Be My Cat: A Film for Anne is a 2015 English-language Romanian found footage psychological horror feature film directed, produced, written by and starring Adrian Țofei, about an aspiring Romanian filmmaker obsessed with Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway who goes to shocking extremes to convince Anne to star in his upcoming film.

It is Adrian Țofei's first film and Romania's first found footage horror movie, winner of Best Film at the 2015 A Night of Horror International Film Festival in Sydney and Best Actor for Țofei at the 2016 Nashville Film Festival, named one of the top 5 best horror movies of 2016 by Dread Central and one of the top 5 new intelligent found footage films by Blumhouse.[4][5][6][7][8]

Be My Cat: A Film for Anne has been released by Adrian Țofei worldwide on VOD and DVD in 2016 and 2017[1] and then benefited from a wider release by Terror Films in 2018.[9]

Plot

An aspiring Romanian filmmaker and actor obsessed with Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway tries to convince her to come to Romania and star alongside him in his upcoming film. He goes to shocking extremes using three local actresses to shoot demo scenes to send to Anne as proof of his filmmaking and acting skills.

Cast

  • Adrian Țofei as Adrian
  • Sonia Teodoriu as Sonya
  • Florentina Hariton as Flory
  • Alexandra Stroe as Alexandra

Release

Festival release

Be My Cat: A Film for Anne had its world premiere on March 1 at the 2015 Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal in its initial 109 minutes version,[10] and then the Romanian premiere at the 2015 Transilvania International Film Festival.[11]

The movie's 87 minutes cut premiered at the 2015 Dracula Film Festival in Romania.[12] More official selections followed at the 2015 Bram Stoker International Film Festival in England (UK premiere),[13] 2015 Zinema Zombie Fest in Bogota, Colombia (South American premiere),[14] 2015 Torremolinos International Fantastic Film Festival (Spanish premiere),[15] 2015 A Night of Horror International Film Festival in Sydney (Australian premiere),[16] 2016 Nashville Film Festival in the US (North American premiere),[17] 2016 Fright Nights Vienna (Austrian premiere),[18] 2016 On Vous Ment! - Lyon Mockumentary Film Festival (French premiere),[19] 2016 TromaDance Film Festival in New York City (US East Coast Premiere),[20] 2016 Hamilton Film Festival (Canadian premiere), 2016 Toronto Indie Horror Fest (Toronto premiere), 2016 Other Worlds Austin (Texas premiere), 2017 Horror-on-Sea Film Festival in the UK and 2017 Shockproof Film Festival in Prague, Czech Republic.

VOD and DVD release

Adrian Țofei released Be My Cat: A Film for Anne on Vimeo On Demand in December 2016 and then in 2017 on Amazon Video and, for a limited time, on DVD via Amazon.[21][22][23][24][1]

Terror Films acquired the movie's worldwide distribution rights in late 2017 and gave it a wider release in April and May 2018 on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Microsoft / Xbox and Vudu. [25][26]

Reception

Critical response

Be My Cat: A Film for Anne has been widely acclaimed by critics and currently holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[27]

It has been included by Dread Central in Top 5 Best Horror Movies of 2016,[8] by Blumhouse in Top 5 New Intelligent Found Footage Films You Need to See[7] and by Audiences Everywhere in Top 50 Best Horror Movies of the 2000s.[28]

Austin Chronicle called it "terrifying"[29] and wrote that it's "a jaw-dropping character study of a murderer, made all the more grueling and transfixing because of Țofei’s performance. Adrian (the character) is as unlikely a killer as Norman Bates, but that’s what makes him so terrifying. This is emotional extreme horror, but you won’t be able to look away. Adrian Țofei’s pointed decision to avoid overt gore, instead concentrating on the interactions, makes the film something akin to a modern Peeping Tom."[29]

Dread Central gave the movie 4 stars and wrote that "Be My Cat takes meta-filmmaking to mind-bending levels and plays out like an arthouse snuff film. Simply calling it unique is an understatement. What we have here is potentially revolutionary and, like the most impactful examples of uncompromising art, potentially dangerous. The line between fact and fiction has never been so terrifyingly and brilliantly blurred."[30]

28DLA gave it 4 stars as well, called it a "disturbing found footage masterpiece"[31] and added that "the authenticity comes from exceptionally strong performances by an excellent cast. Sonia Teodoriu, Florentina Hariton, Alexandra Stroe and Adrian Țofei are so convincing that, at times, it’s uncomfortable to watch."[31]

Dean Bertram from A Night of Horror described Be My Cat: A Film for Anne as "the most revolutionary addition to the found footage genre since The Blair Witch Project and infinitely more convincing and frightening"[32] and Lloyd Kaufman from TromaDance wrote that it's "a new masterpiece in horror".[33]

Little White Lies wrote that the movie "is a prime example of meta-cinema, endlessly blurring the line between behind-the-scenes reality and onscreen fantasy, between documentary and fiction, while also repeatedly commenting on the process of its own making. The results are an unnerving study in cinephilia and erotomania, falling somewhere between Rémy Belvaux's Man Bites Dog and Patrick Brice’s Creep."[34]

Audiences Everywhere named it "dangerous and progressive"[35] and added that "the film is fascinating, challenging and essential for the evolution of found footage horror."[35] Mondo Exploito wrote that it "totally transcends the trappings of the found footage subgenre to create a truly unique experience that will be talked about for years to come."[36] Addicted to Horror Movies said it's "the rare original horror film that fans scream for"[37] and Cinehouse called it a "cinematic miracle". [38]

Found Footage Critic rated the movie 9.7 out of 10 and wrote that it's "a near perfect horror/thriller found footage film that sets itself apart in acting, cinematography, plot, tone, execution and production value. Found footage fan or not, this is a film you won’t want to miss! The acting of Adrian Țofei and the three supporting cast, Sonia Teodoriu, Florentina Hariton and Alexandra Stroe, is nothing short of exceptional, resulting in a genuineness that I have yet to encounter in any other found footage film to date.".[39]

Adrian Țofei received praise for his acting performance as well, which has been described by critics as "incredible", "haunting", "complex", "captivating", "shockingly good" and "frighteningly natural".[40] Artsploitation said that he did "the most believable movie psychopath since Norman Bates."[40]

Awards and festivals

Festival / Event (year) Award Recipient Result Ref.
A Night of Horror International Film Festival (2015) Best Film Adrian Țofei Won [5]
Best Director Adrian Țofei Nominated [41]
Best Male Performance Adrian Țofei Nominated [41]
Best Female Performance Alexandra Stroe Nominated [41]
Nashville Film Festival (2016) Grand Jury Prize Adrian Țofei Nominated [6]
Special Jury Prize for Best Actor Adrian Țofei Won [6]
Fantasporto International Film Festival (2015) Best Film Adrian Țofei Nominated [41]
Transilvania International Film Festival (2015) Best Romanian Feature Film Adrian Țofei Nominated [41]
TromaDance Film Festival (2016) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [20]
Hamilton Film Festival (2016) Best Actor Adrian Țofei Won [42]
Other Worlds Austin (2016) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [43]
On Vous Ment! - Lyon Mockumentary Film Festival (2016) Grand Prize for Best Feature Film Adrian Țofei Won [19]
Fright Nights Vienna (2016) Best Film Adrian Țofei Nominated [44]
Bram Stoker International Film Festival (2015) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [13]
Dracula Film Festival (2015) Special Mention Adrian Țofei Won [45]
Toronto Indie Horror Fest (2016) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [46]
Horror-on-Sea Film Festival (2017) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [47]
Torremolinos International Fantastic Film Festival (2015) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [15]
Zinema Zombie Fest (2015) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [14]
Area de Contencao - Cartaxo International Fantastic & Horror Film Festival (2015) Out of the Box Jury Award Adrian Țofei Won [48]
Out of the Box Audience Award Adrian Țofei Won [48]
Shockproof Film Festival (2017) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [49]
Unnamed Footage Festival (2018) Official Selection Adrian Țofei n/a [50]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Release Info". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  2. ↑ "Fantasy Films Selected for Fantasporto 2015". Fantasporto.com. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  3. ↑ "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne". IMDb.
  4. ↑ "Production Insights | Be My Cat: A Film for Anne". Bemycatafilmforanne.com. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  5. 1 2 "Winning films at A Night of Horror International Film Festival 2015". Anightofhorror.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  6. 1 2 3 "2016 Feature Award Winners - Nashville Film Festival". Nashvillefilmfestival.org. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  7. 1 2 Matt Molgaard (2017-03-24). "A New Wave of Intelligent Found Footage: 5 Films You Need to See –". Blumhouse.com. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  8. 1 2 Barton, Steve (2016-12-30). "Dread Central's Best and Worst Horror Films of 2016". Dread Central. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  9. ↑ "A Deranged Filmmaker Sends a Macabre Invite in Be My Cat: A Film for Anne. | Horror Society". Horror Society. 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  10. ↑ "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne competing at Fantasporto". Cineuropa. 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  11. ↑ "TIFF". Tiff.ro. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  12. ↑ "Feature Films Competition". draculafilm.ro. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  13. 1 2 Nina Romain (2015-11-01). "Seaside Spookiness: Bram Stoker's 2015 Horror Film Festival". Horror-Asylum.com. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
  14. 1 2 "Selección Oficial". ZinemaZombie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  15. 1 2 "Pearls Premieres - Festival de cine fantástico de Torremolinos". Torremolinos-fantastico.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  16. ↑ "2015 Program — A Night of Horror and Fantastic Planet Film Festivals". Anightofhorror.com. 2015-12-06. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  17. ↑ "Nashville Film Festival Announces Features in Competition - Nashville Film Festival Nashville Film Festival". Nashvillefilmfestival.org. 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  18. ↑ "Programm 2016 | Fright Nights". Frightnights.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  19. 1 2 "Competition long-metrages". OnVousMent.fr. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  20. 1 2 "The 17th Annual TromaDance Announces Feature Length Official Selections". troma.com. 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  21. ↑ Amazon DVD
  22. ↑ Amazon Video
  23. ↑ https://vimeo.com/ondemand/bemycat
  24. ↑ "Controversial and Award Winning Shocker "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne" Coming to VOD". Horrorfreaknews.com. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  25. ↑ "A Deranged Filmmaker Sends a Macabre Invite in Be My Cat: A Film for Anne. | Horror Society". Horror Society. 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  26. ↑ Desk, TV News. "Romanian Horror Film BE MY CAT: A FILM FOR ANNE Terrorizes Digital Platform One More Time". Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  27. ↑ "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne". Rotten Tomatoes.
  28. ↑ "The 100 Best Horror Movies of the 2000s (So Far) - Page 3 of 5". Audienceseverywhere.net. 2015-10-27. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  29. 1 2 Whittaker, Richard (2016-12-07). "Other Worlds Austin Review: Be My Cat: A Film for Anne: Bizarre Romanian horror brings insane spark to found footage - Screens". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  30. ↑ Millican, Josh (2015-08-07). "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015)". Dread Central. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  31. 1 2 "Be My Cat Takes a Swipe at Hollywood in this Disturbing Found Footage Masterpiece ~ 28DLA". 28dayslateranalysis.com. 2015-09-13. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  32. ↑ "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne at A Night of Horror". AnightOfHorror.com. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  33. ↑ "See the east coast premiere of Adrian Țofei's "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne" Sat. July 30th at Tromadance in Brooklyn! A new masterpiece in horror!". Lloyd Kaufman on Facebook. 2016-07-23. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  34. ↑ "Discover the stomach-turning horrors of this Anne Hathaway baiting thriller". Lwlies.com. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  35. 1 2 "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne is Dangerous and Progressive". Audienceseverywhere.net. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  36. ↑ "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015)". Mondo Exploito. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  37. ↑ "'Be My Cat: A Film for Anne' is a Rare Original Horror Movie (Review) – Addicted to Horror Movies". Addictedtohorrormovies.com. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  38. ↑ Harris, Sandra (2016-11-25). "Cinehouse: Be My Cat: A Film For Anne- A Terrifying Romanian Horror Film Reviewed By Sandra Harris". Cinehouseuk.blogspot.ro. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  39. ↑ "Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015) Review". Found Footage Critic. 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  40. 1 2 Macabre, Johnny (2016-12-10). ""Revolutionary and dangerous" Be My Cat: A Film for Anne coming to VOD and DVD". Theblood-shed.com. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 "Awards". IMDb.
  42. ↑ "AWARDS". Hamilton Film Festival. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  43. ↑ Whittaker, Richard (2016-11-05). "Enter the Domain With Other Worlds Austin: Sci-fi film festival adds world premiere, new score, and award winners - Screens". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  44. ↑ "Nominierungen 2016 | Fright Nights". Frightnights.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  45. ↑ Popescu, Irina (2015-10-13). "Romania's Dracula Film Festival trophy goes to Israel". Romania-insider.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  46. ↑ "Films". Toindiehorrorfest.com. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  47. ↑ Horror-on-sea.co.uk
  48. 1 2 "Awards | Be My Cat: A Film for Anne". Bemycatafilmforanne.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  49. ↑ "The Shockproof Film Festival". Otrlydivak.cz. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  50. ↑ "Home". Unnamed Footage Festival. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
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