Think Peter Jackson back in the days when he made Bad Taste for $150,000. Cut that budget to $2000 and give him a digital camera. He might have made something very much like this off the wall production by award winning Cuban filmmaker Miguel Coyula. You have a freakish, whacky movie that looks as if it might be a cheap soft porn movie only with sci-fi themes instead of sex themes. (very minor spoilers follow) Set somewhere in the future, Adam meets a lovely girl on the subway only to discover later in the story that it's his sister that he thought had dies years ago. Things get weirder. We're talking a future where DNA replacements feature alongside standard commercials and the news features standard warnings about mutant insects and ozone effects. Red Cockroaches is the first in a planned trilogy - it's almost enough for every indie sci-fi b-movie fan to want to get out of their seat and pool their loose change to put into a Miguel Coyula fund. If this is what he can do with only $2000 the mind boggles.
12 Reviews
Home made movie that is worth indie fans queuing to see
Chris_Docker28 August 2004
Warning: Spoilers
S10 Reviews: Red Cockroaches (2004)
suspiria109 January 2006
This surreal indie features a young man living in New York in the not-to-distant future. Acid rain plagues the city making people nuts and the titular title creatures. The man runs into an intriguing woman on the subway but when he tries to talk to her all that is left is a strange tooth. Later the woman becomes his roommate and it all get's absolutely bizarre from there.
Red Cockroaches touches on a gamut of topics least of which is incest. Pretty nuts but it's a very good flick otherwise. Very well made and acted on a shoestring.
S10 Says: Acting: 8 / 10 Direction: 8 / 10 Writing: 7 / 10 Photography: 7 / 10 Production Design: 7 / 10 The Sound: 7 / 10 Music: 6 / 10 Laughs / Scares / Thrills / the Gore Zone: 6 / 10 Fun Value: 6 / 10 Overall: 7 / 10 Score: 69 / 100
Red Cockroaches touches on a gamut of topics least of which is incest. Pretty nuts but it's a very good flick otherwise. Very well made and acted on a shoestring.
S10 Says: Acting: 8 / 10 Direction: 8 / 10 Writing: 7 / 10 Photography: 7 / 10 Production Design: 7 / 10 The Sound: 7 / 10 Music: 6 / 10 Laughs / Scares / Thrills / the Gore Zone: 6 / 10 Fun Value: 6 / 10 Overall: 7 / 10 Score: 69 / 100
Interesting atmosphere with no spot
helverdi-19 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I would like to mention two things about this movie: 1) Although it had a very very low budget (almost none, it is said!), the director managed to create a unique atmosphere and a nice tension that keeps you in it until the end. Congratulations on this issue.
2) You feel like cheated at the end of the movie. The themes that fly around the whole movie (future life, acid rains, DNA studies, even cockroaches!) and also the thrills that keep you interested (dream-like sequences, psychological aspects built at the beginning, etc.) all fall loose! All you are left with is an incest story told in a stylish way. I wonder why did the director choose the "future theme" for its movie, since none of its features fit into the movie or enrich it. Everything could have been set in today or even the past.
Good effort and talent, but lots of problems with the story and cinematography.
2) You feel like cheated at the end of the movie. The themes that fly around the whole movie (future life, acid rains, DNA studies, even cockroaches!) and also the thrills that keep you interested (dream-like sequences, psychological aspects built at the beginning, etc.) all fall loose! All you are left with is an incest story told in a stylish way. I wonder why did the director choose the "future theme" for its movie, since none of its features fit into the movie or enrich it. Everything could have been set in today or even the past.
Good effort and talent, but lots of problems with the story and cinematography.
Impressive
raulpu506 March 2004
I still can't get over the fact that this film's budget was $2000. The director- cinematographer- editor, (Cuban-born Miguel Coyula) has put together a very intense film that doesn't reveal its minimal resources. Here we have a very dark story with very twisted characters. I felt that there was a couple of loose ends in the subplots, but that's just a personal observation. The film grabs you to the seat for it's hour and a half min, and stays with you afterward. That's, i think , the best way to describe it without spoiling it. I doubt that Red Cockroaches will reach broad audience because of its perhaps overly artistic nature, but those looking into something really unusual will appreciate it.
Boring, Pretentious, yet somewhat interesting Sci Fi film
Newski_the_Hippie26 November 2006
Every movie has it's good and it's bads, and this is no exception. The scifi aspect of it was pleasantly low key. The director seems to have a knack for cinematography, which by and large was superior. The world it set up was interesting, and there is nothing wrong with the Sci Fi elements.
Except for, to remind us that it is the future, flying cars are digitally added time and time again. Why? Enough of the flying cars. Show a few of them, and that's fine. Not every time somebody is on the street, one just happens to whirl by. It's agitating. Not all of the time did it bother me, but sometimes, when I am trying to pay attention to the characters on screen that that hunk of metal comes across the screen.
The "Personal" story of the film takes over past the scifi aspects, which generally is something I respect in a film. Not this time. The story revolves around a thoroughly unpleasant man's sexual tension and attraction to a mysterious young woman (who is equally unpleasant). Sure, the mystery involved was more important then the fact that these were characters I couldn't care about. I probably wasn't supposed to like them, thus the attraction to the mystery.
And isn't everyone tired of the cliché "Man sees Mysterious girl who changes his life" thing anyway? I mean, seriously. Too many indy film clichés in this. Including the fact that if the characters aren't swearing at each other, they are trying to say something somewhat intellectual. People don't talk like that in real life.
Mysteries remain unsolved by the end, probably because this was planned as the first part in a trilogy. Which is fine. However, nothing conclusive ended this film. There was no catharsis, and all we got was a card that said "Red Cockroaches" to let us know the film was over.
With all my criticisms of the movie, I am looking forward to viewing the next two films. Perhaps the Director might have improved on his craft, because that's all it really needs. It had a lot going for it, but unfortunately became just another prententious indy film.
Except for, to remind us that it is the future, flying cars are digitally added time and time again. Why? Enough of the flying cars. Show a few of them, and that's fine. Not every time somebody is on the street, one just happens to whirl by. It's agitating. Not all of the time did it bother me, but sometimes, when I am trying to pay attention to the characters on screen that that hunk of metal comes across the screen.
The "Personal" story of the film takes over past the scifi aspects, which generally is something I respect in a film. Not this time. The story revolves around a thoroughly unpleasant man's sexual tension and attraction to a mysterious young woman (who is equally unpleasant). Sure, the mystery involved was more important then the fact that these were characters I couldn't care about. I probably wasn't supposed to like them, thus the attraction to the mystery.
And isn't everyone tired of the cliché "Man sees Mysterious girl who changes his life" thing anyway? I mean, seriously. Too many indy film clichés in this. Including the fact that if the characters aren't swearing at each other, they are trying to say something somewhat intellectual. People don't talk like that in real life.
Mysteries remain unsolved by the end, probably because this was planned as the first part in a trilogy. Which is fine. However, nothing conclusive ended this film. There was no catharsis, and all we got was a card that said "Red Cockroaches" to let us know the film was over.
With all my criticisms of the movie, I am looking forward to viewing the next two films. Perhaps the Director might have improved on his craft, because that's all it really needs. It had a lot going for it, but unfortunately became just another prententious indy film.
Disgusting with or without insects
sexytail31 July 2007
It's the future again and the world is screwed up again. It seems acid rain is mutating people and a company called DNA 21 is staging a cover-up, but none of that is really much in focus as the plot concerns an unattractive guy falling in love/lust with an unattractive girl. He lives in an apartment in NYC and become his new roommate. I've only just finished watching the movie and already I find it hard to talk about the plot because there pretty much isn't one. In short, "Red Cockroaches" is a zero budget sci-fi dystopian incest movie.
People have been making a lot of noise over the visuals in this film. What they actually added up to were a few futuristic aircraft tossed into shots of the city and a few badly staged shots of the mutated red cockroaches of the title. Special effects included the movie looked like crap. The fact that the film had no budget does not change the fact that the movie is ugly. I'll admit it looks a trifle better than a zero budget movie, but that's the same as saying the CG looks bad enough for an expensive movie of ten years earlier.
There is little to be said. The two leads are ugly and their characters behave in ugly ways. It isn't a profound tragedy and it doesn't really have any good dark humor. The "story"'s unpleasant resolution doesn't teach us anything new. Come to think of it I haven't been this hard up to say something nice about a movie since I saw Brian Yuzna's "Faust". Both are thorough-going cinematic sadism.
The DVD featured another short film from the director, Miguel Coyula. The short film is also poorly paced, unpleasant and pointless. Why this guy is making movies is beyond me. The package says this film is the winner of "20 film festival awards worldwide", which makes me wonder is that many film festivals give out a last place award. This whole review has sounded cruel and negative so I'll close on the same note and say I'd have been happier watching an Uwe Boll movie.
People have been making a lot of noise over the visuals in this film. What they actually added up to were a few futuristic aircraft tossed into shots of the city and a few badly staged shots of the mutated red cockroaches of the title. Special effects included the movie looked like crap. The fact that the film had no budget does not change the fact that the movie is ugly. I'll admit it looks a trifle better than a zero budget movie, but that's the same as saying the CG looks bad enough for an expensive movie of ten years earlier.
There is little to be said. The two leads are ugly and their characters behave in ugly ways. It isn't a profound tragedy and it doesn't really have any good dark humor. The "story"'s unpleasant resolution doesn't teach us anything new. Come to think of it I haven't been this hard up to say something nice about a movie since I saw Brian Yuzna's "Faust". Both are thorough-going cinematic sadism.
The DVD featured another short film from the director, Miguel Coyula. The short film is also poorly paced, unpleasant and pointless. Why this guy is making movies is beyond me. The package says this film is the winner of "20 film festival awards worldwide", which makes me wonder is that many film festivals give out a last place award. This whole review has sounded cruel and negative so I'll close on the same note and say I'd have been happier watching an Uwe Boll movie.
Crazy, stunning, visual dv garden.
mindritefilms4 May 2005
I loved this film. It was stunning, shocking and graceful in its visual garden of DV special effects. Not only did it keep my attention but it drove me to think out side of the box when thinking of a future genetic power world. The acting was strong and powerful and Coyula took obvious risk in many of scenes. It had a Clock Work Orange feel but was mixed with Star Wars type visuals. I had a chance to view the film at the 2004 MicroCinema Festival and it was by far the best thing on the screen during the 4 day event. Miguel Coyula is a film maker of the future and one should keep a close eye on and I expect great work from him in the future.
Brilliant
dennis7018 December 2004
While certainly not for mainstream tastes, this feature debut by Miguel Coyula is outstanding from almost every point of view. Forget the $2000 budget. I really don't care when filmmakers say "Oh I had a very small budget, so please excuse the poor quality of my film" Not the case here. The filmmaker has created a strange menacing cinematic world saturated with lurid colours and moody soundtrack.
Of course, this alone wouldn't be enough to sustain a movie. The story deals with a convoluted case of incest. It is essentially a movie that manages to turn a disturbing story into a fascinating (and even erotic) study of the human psyche. The influence of David Lynch is obvious as it is full of moments of "high weirdness" but Coyula's vision and sensibilities are unique. I'm sure he'll make great films in the future (that is if he's not seduced by Hollywood).
A must see if you are into "strange" films. Many will leave the theatre wondering what the hell happened but I can assure you it wont leave you indifferent.
Of course, this alone wouldn't be enough to sustain a movie. The story deals with a convoluted case of incest. It is essentially a movie that manages to turn a disturbing story into a fascinating (and even erotic) study of the human psyche. The influence of David Lynch is obvious as it is full of moments of "high weirdness" but Coyula's vision and sensibilities are unique. I'm sure he'll make great films in the future (that is if he's not seduced by Hollywood).
A must see if you are into "strange" films. Many will leave the theatre wondering what the hell happened but I can assure you it wont leave you indifferent.
Avant-garde masterpiece shot on a budget of $0
dogs198 December 2003
Red Cockroaches is a freakish, bizarre, avant-garde-ish science fiction/thriller about forbidden love and mutants. Yeah, it's odd, but it's incredibly captivating. The acting is exquisite, the directing divine, and the cinematography is absolutely splendid. The most interesting thing about it? It was shot on a budget of $0 as a labor of love from award winning Cuban filmmaker Miguel Coyula.
kept reminding me of Blade Runner
Cadhorn30 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The obvious similarities: sound effects borrowed from blade runner. The advertisements for the off-world colonies playing in the background.
The subtle: the brother and sister falling in love before realizing they're related. Yet, somehow, i don't think they are related (father was a scientist for DNA21... perhaps doing some experiments with his own offspring), but they did grow up together... it's complicated. Definitely not as simple as: they're brother and sister, it's incest. Anyway, that reminds me of blade runner because, in the directors cut of BR you might get the idea that Harrison Ford's character (Deckard) is a replicant like Rachel, and probably of the same generation (nexus 6), thus sharing a lot of the same genetic material, practically brother and sister.
Anyway, forget all about Blade Runner the movie, think more along the lines of the style of author Philip K. Dick. This is a thought-provoking movie. Shocking, funny, silly, scary... sometimes predictable and/or badly acted, but never dull.
It'll be interesting to see what this director does in the future.
The subtle: the brother and sister falling in love before realizing they're related. Yet, somehow, i don't think they are related (father was a scientist for DNA21... perhaps doing some experiments with his own offspring), but they did grow up together... it's complicated. Definitely not as simple as: they're brother and sister, it's incest. Anyway, that reminds me of blade runner because, in the directors cut of BR you might get the idea that Harrison Ford's character (Deckard) is a replicant like Rachel, and probably of the same generation (nexus 6), thus sharing a lot of the same genetic material, practically brother and sister.
Anyway, forget all about Blade Runner the movie, think more along the lines of the style of author Philip K. Dick. This is a thought-provoking movie. Shocking, funny, silly, scary... sometimes predictable and/or badly acted, but never dull.
It'll be interesting to see what this director does in the future.
trash
curryj111 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
This movie was complete, utter trash. I can't believe people would pay money for this. Why bother setting it in the future? Why bother with the mutants, or the acid rain, considering it is about INCEST. That is so pointless. The movie was disgusting and glorified incest between a couple of sickos. What about that ketchup scene? That was disgusting. The whole shock value thing is tiresome. YAWN!
also, terrible acting and the "special effects" just got in the way of the storyline, which was not very thought out either.
The end of the film was very weak, in the sense that they thought it would be easiest just to get rid of characters quickly, than have them stick around for a confrontation.
I would have to give this movie a -100 out of 10.
also, terrible acting and the "special effects" just got in the way of the storyline, which was not very thought out either.
The end of the film was very weak, in the sense that they thought it would be easiest just to get rid of characters quickly, than have them stick around for a confrontation.
I would have to give this movie a -100 out of 10.
Surrealism at a Peak
tolkienfan101-18 January 2010
Miguel Coyula's film Red Cockroaches is something that is not for everyone, but for myself, it is one of the greatest surreal films I have seen to date. Besides the fact that the film is a tour de force of no-budget cinema, it is an involving and engrossing story that leaves more questions than answers for its audience when the ending credits stop rolling. The history of these characters is shrouded in mystery and dangerous secrets which makes the confrontations between each of them all the more memorable, adding to the drama and complexity of their relationships. Though there were parts I was completely confused on why they were in the film, these parts were far and few between. However, several of these instances were made clear and their place was justified after several viewings of the film. Red Cockroaches has a place of special attention on my shelf and Miguel's next film I am certain will even be greater than what I have just reviewed.
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