Emulsion Ep. 23 - Josh Heaps on the DIY Horror of City Wide Fever

Whatever the last great horror movie was, I doubt it was so strange or compelling as City Wide Fever. Shot on video, seemingly whenever the talent had free time from whatever else they were doing, this is a film rejects the eye-deadening digital that defines so many genre movies that go for prestige only to end up at TUBI. It’s also funny, with a sense of humor that is pranksterish, even juvenile without dipping into an edgelord attitude to which it could’ve so easily resorted. City Wide Fever is now on Blu-ray. But if you’re in New York, then you have a special occasion to see it on Wednesday, April 15 at the Lower Manhattan Alamo Drafthouse, where filmmaker Josh Heaps is doing a Q&A. Josh, I feel compelled to note, started as a film publicist, and through his years there built enough connections to support this film, which he shot during his free hours with very little money. He’s a friend, but also someone whose film I genuinely like very much, and hope this conversation reflects those distinctions and commonalities alike.