In 2010, Melrose locals Greg LaVoie, Paul McAlarney, and Nick Viau created a comedic web series called Super-Townie. While working on the series, cinematographer Nick Norrman introduced McAlarney to the controversial 1971 mockumentary Goodbye Uncle Tom. This gave McAlarney the idea to make a feature film that addressed racial issues mixed with a 70s exploitation style. Rather than sugarcoating the message, McAlarney and Norrman decided to showcase the message where it couldn’t be ignored. About a month later, McAlarney formed Blood Hammer Films, wrote a script, and assembled his cast and crew. Filming took place mainly around Boston in 2014, with some additional funds through Kickstarter totaling over $1700. After filming was completed, the film went on the festival circuit in 2015 until it caught the attention of Troma. Troma picked up the distribution rights and released Honky Holocaust in 2016.
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Synopsis
In 1969, notorious cult leader Charles Manson (Thomas Delcarpio) and his followers went underground to await a prophecized race war. When Manson died, he assigned his second-in-command Dan Masucci (Lucas Fleming), to take over and raise his daughter Kendra. After years of living underground, Masucci leads the Manson family outside to see what the world has become. Much to their shock, the world is not what they expected: whites are the minority while blacks are in charge. While Masucci retreats after several of his men are killed, the now-adult Kendra (Maria Natapov) wanders the streets. She’s mocked, drugged, assaulted, and possibly raped because of her skin color until she’s taken in by Lucius (Constantine Taylor). Having seen what African Americans have experienced, she decides to stand against bigotry and hunt down her surrogate father. Alongside the newly reformed Fiona (Krisoula Varoudakis), Kendra must stop Dan from assassinating the mayor.
Review
Honky Holocaust is a movie I have conflicted feelings about: it has a strong message, but its tone is off. Having the tables turned and showing how it would feel to be treated as a minority is still relevant today. Then again, this film features people getting shot through the anus, strangled with intestines, or shot and urinated on. It’s as if McAlarney couldn’t decide if he wanted to make a message movie or a sleazy exploitation flick. While it’s admirable that he tried to do both, the result is all over the place with its tone. While the message isn’t delivered with any hint of subtlety, it feels intentional, like the filmmakers demand you face it. Also, while out of place, the exploitation elements provide what gorehounds expect, especially with the Troma branding. There are copious amounts of fake gore, nudity, and politically-incorrect humor to entertain Troma fans.
Given its meager budget, McAlarney and his crew manage to put together a decent-looking film. Sure, the effects aren’t the greatest, and the sets look cheap, but these add to the film’s charm. On top of that, the performances are surprisingly good, mainly because almost everyone plays their roles seriously. Maria Natapov does a great job, and seeing her transform from scared and defenseless to a gun-toting badass is incredible. Lucas Fleming is a great villain, acting just over the top enough while still being intimidating. Constantine Taylor is another stand-out as the sympathetic Lucius, who takes Kendra under her wing when no one else will. This film will offend plenty of people and has problems, but I think curious onlookers should give it a watch. Overall, Honky Holocaust is a bit disjointed, but the performances and message help the film stand out from similar schlock.
Buy Honky Holocaust from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Yyt5oh.
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