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Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea

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Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea
Poster
Directed byTony Olmos
Written byBrian Patrick Butler
Produced byTony Olmos
Starring
CinematographyJustin Burquist
Edited byBrian Patrick Butler
Music byAnton Elms
Production
companies
Distributed byBayView Entertainment
Release dates
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea is a 2023 American satirical dark comedy film directed by Tony Olmos and written by Brian Patrick Butler. Butler also leads the ensemble cast that includes Kimberly Weinberger, Aimee La Joie, Randy Davison, Merrick McCartha, and Nick Young.

The film is a dystopian horror story set in Riverside County, California and was filmed in San Diego County. Butler received nominations for acting, screenplay, and editing at the 13th Oceanside International Film Festival. It was released on video on demand on November 26, 2024 where it was distributed by BayView Entertainment.

Plot

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During an epidemic, tenants in Hemet, California grapple with each other while attempting to overthrow their fascistic landlord.

Cast

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  • Kimberly Weinberger as Rosie Perkins
  • Brian Patrick Butler as Liz Topham-Myrtle
  • Aimee La Joie as Kate Myrtle
  • Randy Davison as Sheriff Hunting
  • Merrick McCartha as Martin
  • Matthew Rhodes as Gary
  • Nick Young as Tank
  • Pierce Wallace as Howie Stumpp
  • Jake Golden as Willy Christensen
  • Mia Gascon as Emma Myrtle
  • Derrick Acosta as Mickey
  • Mark Atkinson as Keith
  • Aleksander D'Avignon as Jason
  • Sandy Nissou as Madeleine Duncan
  • Michael J. Kim as Prostitute
  • Mark Allyn as President Phil Graves
  • Derrick Mangin as Deputy
  • Alice Bé as Homeless Woman
  • Marie Cuvadar as Newscaster
  • Tony Gorodeckas as T.V. Reporter
  • Scott Schramp as New Tenant
  • Tanya Ruth Linsdau as New Tenant
  • Roger Guy English as Saltie
  • Savannah Hayworth as Saltie
  • Allie Pizzo as Saltie

Production

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The setting of film is Hemet, in Riverside County, California.

Brian Patrick Butler came up with the idea in 2018[1] and principal photography took place in the summer of 2021 in San Diego County, California.[2][3] He said by the time he was finishing the script, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had "much more material to work with"[1] than when he'd started, referring to the state of the world.[4][5] Kimberly Weinberger, who played Rosie, attended college with Butler.[1] Aimee La Joie and Nick Young also worked with Butler on previous film productions.[4][6]

Butler was also the film's executive producer[1] with his production company Charybdis Pictures.[2] Justin Burquist signed on as the director of photography[7] and Tony Olmos as director. Olmos' company Rosewood Five produced the film in association with Rob Padilla Jr. of Irontree Entertainment.[2] The setting of the film is in Hemet, California[8] but exterior scenes were filmed in Ramona, California[1] and interior shots in La Jolla.[9]

Genres and Themes

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B movie slasher

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Film Carnage indicated the film is "playing by its own rules and embracing the b-movie vibe."[10] Film Purgatory suggested a complex addition to the genre, calling it a "B-movie with A-movie ideas."[11] 1428 Elm noted slasher elements.[12] Film Threat said it matches the tone of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, "but with the energy of a stage play"[13] and About Boulder noted Butler's character resembles "Granny Leatherface."[14]

Some critics said the film centers around capitalism.

Capitalism

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Jim McLennan at Film Blitz said the film "takes wild, swinging punches at everything from capitalism to pandemic response," noting "The apartment complex stands in for society in microcosm". He also acknowledged an expansion of ideas from Butler's previous screenplay Friend of the World, "while remaining an exercise in the world falling apart when subjected to external pressures."[15] Film critic Eddie Harrison suggested the film "aims to take down the American/capitalist dream in bloody, unpleasant fashion."[6]

Political satire

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Olmos said it is a political film about "abuse of power and how power corrupts people and can turn neighbor against neighbor."[9] Voices from the Balcony praised the "hysterical, social and political commentary."[16] Film critic Sean Parker at 25YL claims it is "the absurd political satire we need now".[17] Anton Bitel at Projected Figures said, "Tony Olmos’ crude dystopian satire pits desperate tenants against a Trumpian lessor – and each other."[18] Film Carnage concluded, "It’s as if you merged satire with exploitation and created a strange kind of crooked comedy."[10]

Release

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Hemet premiered on November 18, 2023 at the Digital Gym Cinema[2] as part of San Diego Film Week.[1][19] It screened at the 13th Oceanside International Film Festival on February 24, 2024[3][7][20] and at the Hemet Film Festival on November 9, 2024.[21] It was released on video on demand on November 26, 2024 and was distributed by BayView Entertainment.[22]

Reception

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Critical response

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Jim Morazzini at Voices from the Balcony gave it a 4 out of 5, saying they were "entertained and amused by this combination of crude humour and smart satire."[16] Rebecca Cherry at Film Carnage scored it 7 out of 10, stating it's "an interesting and unusual take on a number of current issues."[10] Stuart Monroe at Get On My Damn Level said the film is 3.5 out of 5 and "one mean mother of an absurdly surrealistic fairy tale."[23] Charlotte Spark at Morbidly Beautiful gave the film 3.5 out of 5, comparing it to Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, stating "it didn't fully resonate," but had "strong performances and quite a few laughs."[24] Sean Parker at 25YL drew comparisons to the Coen brothers and Shakespeare.[17]

I think it's more than just profanity that unsettles – it's the themes discussed, the pictures painted with the words. A worldview expressed that is truly despicable.

A review at Film Blitz scored it a B– calling it a "malevolent atrocity," comparing it to Tootsie and Monty Python's Flying Circus.[15] Eddie Harrison at film-authority scored it 3 out of 5 and said it is a gore film that is "a biting, scabrous, no-holds barred satire."[6] Norman Gidney at HorrorBuzz scored it 6 out of 10, calling it a "campy little indie nugget of joy."[25] Brian Fanelli at 1428 Elm said it has "heart, grit, laughs, and bloodshed" and is "for those who like something truly strange and unusual."[12]

Clotilde Chinnici at Loud and Clear Reviews praised Weinberger's performance and gave the film 2.5 out of 5, claiming it had "tense atmosphere" but that it "could have landed a lot better if its characters had been explored more."[26] The Independent Critic scored it 2 out of 4 and said it is "for those who appreciate the ballsier side of indie cinema."[27] Ryan Devir at Film Threat said it had "solid gore and impressive kills," but criticized the characters, dialogue and humor, scoring it 3.5 out of 10.[13]

Accolades

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Festival Year Award Recipient(s) Result Ref.
San Diego Film Week 2023 Best Dark Comedy Feature Film Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea Nominated [28]
Oceanside International Film Festival 2024 Best Editing in a Feature Brian Patrick Butler Nominated [4][5]
Best Screenplay (Feature) Nominated
Best Actor in a Lead Role Nominated
San Diego Film Awards 2024 Best Makeup/Hair in a Narrative Feature Film Sandy Nissou, John Aviles, Elizabeth Lawson Won [29]
Best Costume Design in a Narrative Feature Film Sandy Nissou Nominated [30]
Best Ensemble Cast in a Narrative Feature Film Various Nominated
Best Lead Actor in a Narrative Feature Film Brian Patrick Butler Nominated [31]
Best Narrative Feature Film Tony Olmos, Brian Patrick Butler, Rob Padilla Jr. Nominated
Best Original Screenplay in a Narrative Feature Film Brian Patrick Butler Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Elling, Regina (2023-11-16). "Filming of indie thriller 'Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea,' in Ramona was a family affair". Ramona Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2023-11-18. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  2. ^ a b c d Brewer, Mac (2023-11-15). "Charybdis Pictures Releases Trailer for Horror Comedy 'HEMET' Ahead of Premiere". Horror Society. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  3. ^ a b Ashcraft, Anna (2024-01-13). "These San Diego films will be featured in 2024 Oceanside Film Festival". KSWB-TV. Archived from the original on 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  4. ^ a b c Gallant, Julie (2024-02-20). "Poway actress stars in dark comedy showing at Oceanside International Film Festival". Poway News Chieftain. Archived from the original on 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  5. ^ a b Brewer, Mac (2024-02-20). "Dystopian Horror Satire, HEMET To Close Oceanside International Film Festival". Horror Society. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  6. ^ a b c Harrison, Eddie (2024-02-22). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea". film-authority. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  7. ^ a b Bazarte, Karina (2024-02-02). "Imperial Valley native to screen film at an international film festival". KECY-TV. Archived from the original on 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  8. ^ a b Bennett, Emily (2024-11-14). "'Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea' Explores Tyranny in Twisted Dark Comedy | Love Horror film reviews and news". lovehorror.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  9. ^ a b Mackin-Solomon, Ashley (2024-01-14). "'Good type of cringey': La Jolla filmmaker to screen latest creation at Oceanside International Film Festival". La Jolla Light. Archived from the original on 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  10. ^ a b c Cherry, Rebecca (2024-11-17). "Review: Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea". Film Carnage. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  11. ^ Gonzalaez, Owen (2024-12-07). "Hemet (2023) - Movie Review". Film Purgatory. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  12. ^ a b Fanelli, Brian (2024-01-25). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea: Beware the killer landlady". 1428 Elm. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  13. ^ a b Devir, Ryan (2024-03-27). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea Featured, Reviews Film Threat". Film Threat. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  14. ^ Brennan, Tim. "Not A Leg to Stand On | About Boulder County Colorado - Visitor and Local Guide to Boulder County Colorado". Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  15. ^ a b McLennan, Jim (2024-06-17). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023)". Film Blitz. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  16. ^ a b Morazzini, Jim (2024-11-25). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2024) Review". Voices from the Balcony. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  17. ^ a b Parker, Sean (2024-12-02). "Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea is The Absurd Political Satire We Need Now". 25YL. Archived from the original on 2024-12-17. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  18. ^ Bitel, Anton (2024-01-24). "Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023)". Projected Figures. Archived from the original on 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  19. ^ "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea - Saturday, November 18, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m." San Diego Reader. 2023-11-18. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  20. ^ Burnham, Christine (2024-01-25). "Screening Soon At The Oceanside International Film Festival: 'Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea'". PopHorror. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  21. ^ "Hemet Film Festival returns for second year". Press Enterprise. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  22. ^ "Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  23. ^ Monroe, Stuart (2024-03-03). "Movie Review: "Hemet, or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea" (2024)". Get On My Damn Level!!. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  24. ^ Spark, Charlotte (2024-03-28). "Reel Review: Hemet, Or The Landlady Don't Drink Tea". Morbidly Beautiful. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  25. ^ Gidney, Norman (2024-11-05). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea". HorrorBuzz. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  26. ^ Chinnici, Clotilde (2024-02-24). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea Review". Loud And Clear Reviews. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  27. ^ Propes, Richard (2024-11-28). "Movie Review: Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea". The Independent Critic. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  28. ^ "2023 San Diego Film Week Award Nominations". 2023 San Diego Film Week. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  29. ^ "2024 San Diego Film Awards Winners". Film Consortium San Diego. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  30. ^ Taylor, Susan (2024-06-19). "EAST COUNTY NOMINEES FOR SAN DIEGO FILM AWARDS | East County Magazine". East County Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  31. ^ "2024 San Diego Film Award Nominees". Film Consortium San Diego. Archived from the original on 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
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