Director Alexandre O. Philippe is a regular guest at the festival, known for his documentaries exploring the history of iconic films and their creators – bringing a new one to KVIFF nearly every year. His latest work, Chain Reactions, uses a dynamic collage of personal testimonies, in-depth research, and sharp analysis to examine the making and enduring legacy of the cult horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Following the screening, the prolific filmmaker spoke with the audience about his own first encounter with the film, which recently marked its 50th anniversary – an occasion honoured by his documentary. “Everyone remembers exactly when they first saw Massacre. I grew up a cinephile and loved horror movies. But I saw this one later, on a small TV from a VHS tape. I thought I was going crazy. Halfway through, I had to pause it and go for a walk – just to remind myself that the world is actually beautiful. Only then could I finish it. I’ve never had that kind of reaction to a film before,” the director recalled his first encounter with the shocking film.
Philippe believes the brilliance of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre lies in its purpose: the violence is not gratuitous, but serves as a lens on American identity and social tension, framed through the conventions of the horror genre. “It’s totally fine that horror movies aren’t for everyone. I, for one, draw the line at films like Saw or Hostel. Their sole purpose is to torture the audience,” he added with regard to the thin line of audience accessibility.
Describing the process of making Chain Reactions, Philippe admitted it became something of an obsession. He had to look at the same material over and over again, constantly immersed in tension. “But that’s essential. Without that, you can’t bring real emotion into the film. And if you’re not doing that, you’re not doing your job,” he added.
