Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea

Last updated
Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea
Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea.jpg
Poster
Directed by Tony Olmos
Written by Brian Patrick Butler
Produced byTony Olmos
Starring
Cinematography Justin Burquist
Edited byBrian Patrick Butler
Music byAnton Elms
Production
companies
Distributed by BayView 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.

Contents

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

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

Cast

Production

The setting of film is Hemet, in Riverside County, California. Riverside County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas East Hemet Highlighted 0620697.svg
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

B movie slasher

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. Pyramid of the Capitalist System.svg
Some critics said the film centers around capitalism.

Capitalism

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

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

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

Critical response

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.

–Brian Patrick Butler [8]

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

FestivalYearAwardRecipient(s)ResultRef.
San Diego Film Week2023Best Dark Comedy Feature FilmHemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink TeaNominated [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 RoleNominated
San Diego Film Awards2024Best Makeup/Hair in a Narrative Feature FilmSandy Nissou, John Aviles, Elizabeth LawsonWon [29]
Best Costume Design in a Narrative Feature FilmSandy NissouNominated [30]
Best Ensemble Cast in a Narrative Feature FilmVariousNominated
Best Lead Actor in a Narrative Feature FilmBrian Patrick ButlerNominated [31]
Best Narrative Feature Film Tony Olmos, Brian Patrick Butler, Rob Padilla Jr.Nominated
Best Original Screenplay in a Narrative Feature FilmBrian Patrick ButlerNominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemet, California</span> City in California, United States

Hemet is a city in the San Jacinto Valley in Riverside County, California. It covers a total area of 29.3 square miles (76 km2), about half of the valley, which it shares with the neighboring city of San Jacinto. The population was 89,833 at the 2020 census. It borders San Jacinto to the north, East Hemet to the east, Polly Butte and Diamond Valley Lake to the south, and Green Acres and Juniper Springs to the west.

<i>South of 8</i> 2016 American film by Tony Olmos

South of 8 is a 2016 American crime drama heist film written and directed by Tony Olmos in his directorial debut. The film stars Brian Patrick Butler, George Jac, Jennifer Paredes, Kathryn Schott, and Raye Richards.

<i>Friend of the World</i> 2020 American film by Brian Patrick Butler

Friend of the World is a 2020 American independent black-and-white film written and directed by Brian Patrick Butler in his feature film debut, starring Nick Young and Alexandra Slade. The surreal experimental film takes place post-apocalypse and tells the story of a young filmmaker (Slade) and a military general (Young) trapped in a bunker with a mysterious threat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merrick McCartha</span> American actor

Merrick McCartha is an American actor who appeared on television shows such as All American (2020–2021),Criminal Minds (2012–2015), Rebel (2017) and Unstable (2023). His film credits include Anatomy of an Antihero: Redemption (2018), Failure! (2023), Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023) and The Playground (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Davison</span> American actor

Randy Lee Davison is an American actor who appeared in the films The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) as Joseph McCarthy, Mank (2020), Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), Not This Part of the World (1995), and Touch (2022). In the 1990s, Davison appeared in the television show America's Funniest People as Edith Bunker and as Senex in Boise State University's production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Brian Patrick Butler is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and film producer. He is known for writing and directing the film Friend of the World (2020), writing and performing in the film Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), and appearing in the films South of 8 (2016), Thane of East County (2015) and We All Die Alone (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Atkinson (actor)</span> American actor and filmmaker

Mark Atkinson is an American actor, filmmaker and comedian who appeared in the films Skin: The Movie (2020) and Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), and produced the short films Pulp Friction (2021) and Leave 'Em Laughing (2020). Atkinson won Best Supporting Actor at World Music & Independent Film Festival and received acting nominations at Austin Revolution Film Festival and Oceanside International Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Young (actor)</span> American actor

Nickolas Ray Young is an American actor who appeared in the films Friend of the World (2020) and Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), television movies El Diablo (1990) and Geronimo (1993), and OnStage Playhouse's productions of The Diary of Anne Frank (2011) and The Other Place (2022). Young began working on television in Arizona throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s before moving to San Diego County for film and theater work in the 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aimee La Joie</span> American actress

Aimee Suzanne La Joie is an American actress, photographer, videographer and model best known for the viral video The Film Crew and parodies of Home Town, MasterChef, Queer Eye, and Say Yes to the Dress. She stars in the films Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023) and Freedom, Wisconsin (2023), and appears in the films Buy Roses for Me (2019), Perfect People (2017), and Refuge (2017).

Ray Gallardo is an American film director and cinematographer who directed the films At the Frontera (2018) and Callejero (2015) and was the cinematographer for the films Friend of the World (2020),The Fifth of November (2018) and Touch (2022).

<i>The Fifth of November</i> 2018 film by Javier Augusto Nunez

The Fifth of November is a 2018 psychological thriller short film directed by Javier Augusto Nunez and written by Nunez and Qurrat Ann Kadwani. The film stars Kadwani, William H. Bryant Jr., Joanna DeLane and Shaw Jones.

<i>Touch</i> (2022 film) 2022 film by Justin Burquist

Touch is a 2022 crime horror short film written and directed by Justin Burquist. The film stars Eva Ceja, Randy Davison, Steve Froehlich and Nick Young. It won Best Horror Short Film at Berlin Short Film Festival, was nominated for Best Art Direction at Oceanside International Film Festival and screened at Monster Fest and the San Diego Comic-Con Independent Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Burquist</span> American filmmaker

Justin Burquist is an American filmmaker and music video director who directed the films Broken Knuckles (2013), Touch (2022), and was the cinematographer for the films Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023) and Pulp Friction (2021). Burquist's films have won awards at Oceanside International Film Festival and Berlin Short Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierce Wallace</span> American actor and television personality

Pierce Wallace, also known as the Georgia Joker, is an American sports fan, television personality and actor best known for being inducted into ESPN's Fan Hall of Fame for portraying the Joker at University of Georgia football games. Wallace was also a contestant on season 3 of FBOY Island and an actor who appeared in the film Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Olmos</span> Mexican-American filmmaker

Tony Olmos is a Mexican-American filmmaker and musician who is the creator of the films Continuance (2021) and South of 8 (2016), and directed Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), Fletcher and Jenks (2016) and Pulp Friction (2021). He was awarded Best Dramatic Screenplay at the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival in 2016 and received several nominations at the GI Film Festival San Diego in 2017.

BayView Entertainment is an American independent film production and distribution company based out of Pompton Plains, New Jersey. In 2015, BayView distributed One Deadly Summer (1983) on physical media. BayView produced the film Skinamarink (2023), which was acquired by Shudder. In 2023, BayView took over Passion River Films after buying out most of the company's assets.

<i>Continuance</i> (film) 2021 film by Tony Olmos

Continuance is a 2021 American comedy horror slasher film written and directed by Tony Olmos. The film stars Tony Gorodeckas, Noor Razooky, Teresa Suarez Grosso, Brian Patrick Butler, and Kayla Schaffroth.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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. 1 2 3 4 Brewer, Mac (2023-11-15). "Charybdis Pictures Releases Trailer for Horror Comedy 'HEMET' Ahead of Premiere". Horror Society. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  3. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 Brewer, Mac (2024-02-20). "Dystopian Horror Satire, HEMET To Close Oceanside International Film Festival". Horror Society. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  6. 1 2 3 Harrison, Eddie (2024-02-22). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea". film-authority. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  7. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 McLennan, Jim (2024-06-17). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023)". Film Blitz. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  16. 1 2 Morazzini, Jim (2024-11-25). "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2024) Review". Voices from the Balcony. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  17. 1 2 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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.