Indie Flick Brings Classics 'Snapshots' with Modern Twists

Looking for something a bit different in horror? Step into the realm of the eerie Victoriana with "Snapshot”! Within its unique circular framing, you're plunged into the Victorian era’s criminal underbelly. This blend of the old and the new comes from the imaginative duo, director Joseph Archer and screenwriter-star Cathy Wippell, offering a fresh spin on the age-old tale of Jack the Ripper.

But be prepared! Embracing "Snapshot" requires some suspension of disbelief. Let’s begin with our phantom camera wielder, Tamworth, (effortlessly voiced by Tom Stourton). He supposedly infiltrates not-so-elegant corners of East London's underworld to unfold women’s stories. His inconspicuous presence and advanced sound recording skills? Quite a stretch, even for the most imaginative amongst us!

According to the introductory text, this innovative footage was discovered in a dusty corner of the nonexistent "British Film Archive." Yet Archer, doubling as the film’s editor, manages to keep us on our toes with raw and jerky cuts suggestive of early cinema reels while maintaining a modern flair.

Lest we forget the haunting melody of the music-hall favourite “Two Lovely Black Eyes” threading through the narrative. With its damning hints at female exploitation and frustration, the film doubles as a look into the pre-suffrage woman's life.

Our so-called 'fly-on-the-wall' Tamworth, although male, appears surprisingly attuned to the female predicament. His constant presence in women's lives provides us a peek into times and spaces generally devoid of men. Yet the lingering shadow of male gaze turns increasingly eerie as the plot thickens.

Enter Minnie (a meaty role penned by Wippell herself). She's our main attraction - a bold and daring figure crossing class boundaries by indulging in the company of city's sex workers and outcasts. Together with a devout group of women from her clique including her close mate Fanny (Hazel Rogers) and her maternal madam Evelyn (Nadia Lamin), they believe a ghost might be behind the series of killings. Of course, Tamworth is there, diligently recording their perilous journey towards the truth.

"Snapshot" manages to maintain an extended sense of unease as it raises questions about women's everyday struggle in the Victorian time, despite the limited growth space for characters and its teetering narrative towards the second half. But hey, this uncanny mix of horror and dark humour from the promising team of Archer and Wippell certainly promises a delightful ride and signals a strong commitment to outside the box horror film making.