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Gale: Stay Away From Oz
“Gale Stay Away From Oz” offers a darker and more horrifying take on the land of Oz
• Emily Gale is haunted by nightmares stemming from her mother’s death and seeks answers with the help of Dr. North, her unhelpful psychiatrist.
• She discovers her grandmother Dorothy Gale’s notebook, revealing that she is alive and confined to a nursing home.
• “Gale: Stay Away from Oz,” directed by Daniel Alexander, offers a darker take on the classic Oz story and explores unresolved elements.
• The film features strong performances from Karen Swan as Dorothy and two supporting characters who reflect classic good and evil witches.
• With the captivating atmosphere and interesting references, this twenty-eight-minute proof of concept leaves many questions unanswered yet sparks curiosity for its journey down a dirt road.
Emily Gale, haunted by nightmares stemming from her mother’s death, seeks answers with the help of Dr. North, her unhelpful psychiatrist. Her dreams mention a mysterious character named Dorothy, and Emily’s curiosity grows.
A twist of fate leads her to discover her grandmother Dorothy Gale’s notebook, revealing that she is not only alive but also confined to a nursing home. Determined to find answers, Emily plans a visit that may raise more questions than it answers.
Director Daniel Alexander’s film, “Gale: Stay Away from Oz,” offers a darker and more horrifying take on the land of Oz.
Drawing inspiration from the original Oz novels and emphasizing the darker elements already present, this film challenges the innocence of the classic story. Instead of turning it into a gruesome tale, Alexander and screenwriter Matthew R. Ford explore the unresolved aspects of Oz, taking a logical twist on the beloved fantasy.
In this world, Dorothy, the author of the Oz novels, is tormented and warns Emily to stay away from Oz.
Dr. North and the administrator of Dorothy’s residence reflect the good and evil witches from the original, adding an intriguing dynamic to the story. There is also a reference to The Nome King, suggesting that this film is a sequel rather than a reboot.
With only three characters, the actresses deliver strong performances, with Karen Swan particularly impressive in her role as Dorothy.
As director and co-cinematographer, Daniel Alexander creates a captivating atmosphere for the film’s nightmarish scenes.
Clocking in at twenty-eight minutes, “Gale” is a proof of concept for a feature film, leaving many questions unanswered yet providing enough information to understand its direction.
Despite the unclear ending, this film sparks curiosity and leaves a desire to follow the journey down this dirt road.