Have you ever watched a horror short? I’m pretty sure (but not positive) the first one I ever saw was Larry, which I sought out after watching Come Play, a creature feature inspired by Larry. Curiously, the second short horror film I’ve now watched, Posies, also involved monsters.
Larry was okay. Good special effects, an interesting premise, but Posies was WOW! I’m glad when I was given the chance to advance screen it that I took it. Short or long, it’s one of the best horror movies I’ve ever seen. The acting, the atmosphere, the storyline, the writing, the directing, the symbolism and message…spot on! Beautifully and impeccably made.
Let’s first look at what Posies is about, then I want to tell you about its writer and directors, who I had a chance to speak with. When you understand what they’re up to, you’ll have a better appreciation for not only why Posies is one to watch, but why it’s also worth keeping an eye on the careers of the incredibly talented women behind it.
I’ve also embedded the podcast and YouTube versions of the chat so you can listen to or watch the whole conversation if you want.
Posies Storyline
As people begin to “devolve” into monsters, one woman attempts to hide her transformation by placing flowers under her skin.
Posies Trailer
Both Fisher and Stavis posted trailers on their Twitters. I swiped the one from Fisher’s so you can get a taste of what it is I’m raving about.
NEW trailer for POSIES!
UK friends check out our International Premiere at @FrightFest in London, 8/30 at Cineworld Leicester Square-tix available at https://t.co/XLJr9XNfZz
Can’t make it in person? Digital passes are also available for UK residents at https://t.co/COL2GNBoYn pic.twitter.com/oaafetrxGS
— Katherine Fisher (@speed_of_joy) August 18, 2021
Posies Origin Story
Let’s start with who Posies’ directors are, which is Katherine Fisher and R. H. Stavis (who also wrote the screenplay). They’ve both been in showbiz for years, Fisher as a producer and Stavis as a writer. But now they’re moving into directing, which Stavis explained hadn’t been her original intent. It was born out of necessity.
See, she wrote a feature script called Wires. It generated a lot of buzz and everyone loved it, but she “couldn’t find a female filmmaker to make it because it’s such a raw, intense, thing.”
That’s when she decided, fine. She’ll make it herself.
Fisher then explained Posies is related to, but very different from, Wires, but it’s their proof of concept and proof they can work together. She also explained normally it works more like Larry/Come Play did. The short comes first, then the feature. In this case, the feature came first. The short was created to draw out the aesthetic theme, setting, elegant decay, and body horror to prove that audiences would like it.
Um, like? No. Love? YES!
Hopefully, this will help get the word out and drum up funding, which they’re doing the traditional route, not through crowd-funding. (I liked Posies so much I would’ve contributed a little somethin’ somethin’!)
The New Orleans Connection
Neither Fisher nor Stavis is from there, but they love New Orleans. Pre-COVID they spent half their time there. That’s where they filmed Posies. It’s also where, when they get the funding for Wires, they’d like to film that too.
The Obvious Question I Failed to Ask
It didn’t dawn on me until the day after the interview to ask where they’d filmed Posies and did it have any ghost stories. Gah!
If you watch or listen to the interview, you’ll see I wasn’t on my game. As I explained in a vlog on the YouTube channel, I was fangirling. Hard.
However, they seem pretty cool. I’m gonna Tweet at them and ask. If they answer, I’ll post an update.
The Exorcist and Sister of Darkness
When I asked what else was next for them, beyond trying to fund Wires and get that made, I learned a couple of interesting things. One was about Stavis, who is a non-secular exorcist, and her memoir, Sister of Darkness: The Chronicles of a Modern Exorcist (affiliate link). It did really well. So well, in fact, it was picked up by FX and is in series development now.
She also teased that we’ll see her on something that will be available on Tubi on October 31, 2021. She wasn’t sure she was at liberty to spill the beans on exactly what yet, but that’s something else to look forward to this Halloween!
I was just thrilled to know they have other things in the works. If Posies is representative of their creativity, these are the kinds of folks I want to follow!
Where to Watch Posies
Posies premiered at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, which took place July 1-31 this year.
The international premiere will happen at the London FrightFest Film Festival, which runs from August 26-30. It’ll be an in-person fest, the first one Posies will be seen at, but FrightFest will also do a digital fest. So there’s an opportunity to watch it online then, as well as at some of the other film festivals Posies will premiere at later this year.
The best way to find out when and where to catch a screening of Posies is by following Fisher and Stavis on social media. I’ve posted their links under the “For More Info” section below.
Listen to the Interview
Watch the Interview
For More Info
R.H. Stavis on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/rhstavis/
Katherine Fisher on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/k.r.fisher/
R.H. Stavis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RHStavis
Katherine Fisher on Twitter: https://twitter.com/speed_of_joy
Check-In
What’s the best short horror film you’ve ever seen?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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