Teen Zombie Double Feature: PATHOGEN (2006) + PLAGA ZOMBIE (1997)

Celebrate the release of 28 YEARS LATER with this spectacular shot-on-video double-bill of zombie outbreak movies made by teenagers: Emily Hagins’ PATHOGEN (2006) and Pablo Parés & Hernán Sáez’s PLAGA ZOMBIE aka Zombie Plague (1997)!

“THE HEIGHT OF OUTSIDER MOVIEMAKING”

BAR TRASH host Token Homo is a lifelong zombie movie fan (he even lives where they shot 28 WEEKS LATER!), so how better to celebrate the return of the 28 DAYS LATER franchise to our screens than a slew of zombie movies? After last week’s Blaxploitation take on the sub-genre — SUGAR HILL (1974) — we now get served two epic zombie outbreak movies made by teenagers!

PATHOGEN dir Emily Hagins (2006/USA/66mins)

Conceived when filmmaker Emily Hagins was 12 and released when she was 15, PATHOGEN is one of the most accomplished horror movies ever made by a person before they could legally drive a car. With an impressive devotion to editing and storytelling, PATHOGEN delivers eyeball gouging, decapitations, and knife fights, along with an endearing perspective that could only originate from an Austin teenager. “PATHOGEN is as awkward and unsure as junior high itself, but it’s driven by wonder, sincerity, and a surprisingly cohesive style” (Bleeding Skull).

PLAGA ZOMBIE aka Zombie Plague dir Pablo Parés & Hernán Sáez (1997/Argentina/69mins)

17-year-old suburban Buenos Aires filmmakers Pablo Parés and Hernán Sáez pooled $450 to co-write, produce, direct and star in a shot-on-VHS zombie epic of such flesh-ripping, gore-spewing greatness that it instantly drew global cult acclaim. Over the next 20 years, Parés, Sáez and their friends would create two increasingly ambitious, and equally brilliant, viscera-soaked sequels, and several short films. But this is where it all started. “A DIY VHS movie miracle… the look and feel of early Raimi and Jackson, only cheaper, faster, and slimier” (Rue Morgue).

Polite notice: We are showing PATHOGEN and PLAGA ZOMBIE with subtitles from the best available digital sources. PATHOGEN was shot on digital video and PLAGA ZOMBIE was shot on VHS — please approach the technical quality of the original source material with love and empathy! Please also note the earlier than usual start time for our teen zombie double feature (8:30pm).

// BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo and friends. Films are served with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for updates. //

Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. www.filmlondon.org.uk/film-hub-london