Envisioned as a send-up to consumerism, first world exploitation, society disposable nature, and the dopamine hit of a new purchase Director Eliza Kephart attacks these societal issues thought a rampage in a closing store by a pair of homicidal jeans. CCC Canadian Cotton Clothiers bill themselves as different from all the rest. Their products are not made in sweatshops, are organically sourced, and care about the overall wellness of its employees and loyal customers. Into this world steps Libby (Romane Denis) dripping with naive enthusiasm having wished to work at CCC ever since she was 16. She's is haired to help with the new release of the coveted Super Shaper Jeans that will mold to our body whether you are 5 pounds over or underweight. Libby's first indication that her new employer is not as perfect as she thought occurs when she is forced to this season's clothing meaning she has to buy new clothing on the spot but is denied an employee discount as technically she is not officially an employee until 12:01 A.M. the next day.
The company founder appears to give a pep talk to the troops ahead of the store going into lockdown to assure no leaks before the big release. Renowned Your Tube Influencer Payton Jules (Erica Anderson) is on her way for Midnight to promote the jeans but more importantly herself. The only hitch is that the jeans are alive. The sad backstory of a tragedy in the cotton fields in far away in India where the cotton is picked closes the loop. Top Sales associate Jemma (Hanneke Talbot) grabs a pair ahead of time that turn on her splitting her in two. Next in line super seller Hunter (Jessica B. Hill) goes to investigate, finds he jeans laying on the floor struggles to put them on then is twisted into inhuman pretzel-like positions by the pants dispatching her as well.
Director Eliza Kephart alongside her friend and writer Patricia Gomez came up for the idea for the film years ago a road trip discussing words that they despised. Slacks came up leading to the idea of the film, first conceptualized as taking place in a town then narrowed to a ultra-exclusive one brand chain store ala The Gap, Urban Outfitters or Banana Republic equipped with staff on headsets constantly communicating to each other the state of everything on-premise, the company slogans and the cult-like dedication to the brand and company policy. There is no CGI here; the jeans are manipulated by puppeteers in green screen attire that peaks when the rampage pauses as the jeans are compelled to dance to a Bollywood tune.
Slaxx is a fun romp that hits all the beats one would expect from a bonkers idea of a pair of jeans coming to life and slaughtering the staff and customers who are at the end of a cycle that sees poor and underage contractors working long hours in challenging conditions for extremely low wages so first world folks can look good in a pair of jeans and greedy cooperation can make boatloads of money. The blood level is high, the body count impressive, and the imaginative ways that a pair of jeans can kill its intended victim.
***1/2 Out of Four.
Slaxx | Eliza Kephart | Canada | 2020 | 77 Minutes.
Tags: Designer Clothing, Brand Awareness, Organic , No GMO's YouTube Influences, Product Launch, Lock Down, Bollywood Music, Hindi, Super Sale, Consumerism, Exploitation, Child Labour, Door Crasher Sale.
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