The Surprisingly Affordable Zombie Flick That Impressed Martin Scorsese

The Big Picture

Martin Scorsese praised the low-budget zombie film 'Colin' for its innovative and disturbing storytelling, shot entirely on a camcorder.

The film 'Colin' sets itself apart from other zombie movies by providing a unique perspective of the apocalyptic world through the eyes of the zombie protagonist. It delves into personal struggles and relationships in a deeply intimate manner.

Impressively, 'Colin' manages to create a remarkable sense of a worldwide catastrophe despite being produced on a small scale. This achievement is attributed to its innovative sound design and captivating storytelling, which have garnered recognition from esteemed institutions such as the British Film Institute and Martin Scorsese.

What Is 'Colin' About?

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Colin, portrayed by Alastair Kirton, undergoes a gradual transformation from a sentient being to a mindless, bloodthirsty creature in the midst of an apocalyptic world. Unlike conventional zombie movies, Colin offers a unique perspective by showcasing the story from the zombie's point of view. The limited dialogue throughout the film, even before Colin's transformation, allows for innovative visual storytelling, which is a pleasant surprise considering it is the director's first feature film. However, the film does not solely rely on the silent movie concept. Whenever necessary, characters communicate, but director Marc Price primarily focuses on immersing the audience in the deteriorating mindset of the protagonist. It is possible that this approach caught the attention of the esteemed filmmaker responsible for Goodfellas and Killers of the Flower Moon, thus propelling this guerilla-style independent film to prominence.

How Does 'Colin' Compare to Other Zombie Movies?

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After conversing with writer-director Marc Price, he clarified that his no-budget project could never compete with the impressive spectacle of InDigEnt films or the popular movie 28 Days Later during that time. This realization led to Colin becoming a more intimate and personal film. The film's standout feature of showcasing everything from a single zombie's perspective became its redeeming quality. It follows one man's struggle to come to terms with his transformation, similar to the premise of District 9, which premiered nine months later. Additionally, the movie explores the dynamics between an undead Colin and his living friends and family, five years before a similar concept was utilized, although not as effectively, in Warm Bodies. It is worth noting that Martin Scorsese, known for appreciating films that are "humble, sweet, funny, and disturbing in a good way," was naturally drawn to these fresh elements.

Given the limitations of not having extravagant set pieces, Colin can be forgiven for feeling somewhat small-scale. However, by minimizing crowd scenes and employing innovative sound design, the film subtly hints at a global apocalypse from a pedestrian's perspective, heightening the tension and immersion. The filmmaker describes it as being a witness to a massive disaster, where one has no influence over it. The fear factor in the film comes from our protagonist no longer being afraid of becoming a zombie. Whether exploring consumerism or racial unrest, the best zombie movies are never solely about the zombies. Consequently, Price views Colin as more than just a genre film, but as a story about a man's sense of isolation, something that can be experienced even in a bustling metropolis. This is what elevates the film beyond its individual parts, creating a unique and engaging whole.

'Colin' Has Gone On To Earn Major Recognition From The BFI And Martin Scorsese

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Colin has gained recognition from the British Film Institute after its premiere at Wales' Abertoir Film Festival 15 years ago. Marc Price, the director, expressed his surprise at the cultural significance attributed to the film, stating, "It's pleasant that the BFI has deemed my street roaming with a camcorder in Tooting culturally relevant." Price initially planned to promote the film anonymously on horror forums but ultimately achieved success after Fangoria provided a positive review. This led to sales agent Helen Grace securing distribution for the zero-budget zombie flick at Cannes.

In 2012, Price discovered the extent of the film's influence when he received a tweet from Martin Scorsese praising Colin. Price excitedly shared the news with Alastair Kirton, the actor who played Colin, and they celebrated with a joyful dance in the kitchen. Price, a big fan of Scorsese, considered this moment in addition to Romero referencing the film before a screening of Diary of the Dead in Toronto as highly significant.