Japanese zombie comedy movie within a movie. The first 30 minutes is a long unbroken take of a zombie horror film. The middle third is the story of how a film crew came together with the task of creating this shot, to be aired live on television. The finale is the shooting of the film, wherein we see a real zombie outbreak cause havoc with getting that one perfect long take. Despite the subject matter and the blood, the film is less of a Horror movie and more of a character comedy about a group of filmmakers working together to pull off an insane shot. Any actual zombie visuals are eventually dashed once the curtain is pulled back. (More like pulled clean off the rod.)
As a zombie film it’s fairly average, but it’s smart about the headaches of production and each new layer gives the opening a new context that’s fun. What gives the film lasting appeal are the moments where people behind the camera come together as a team and breathe a sigh of relief or smile at how proud they are of the way everyone can think on their feet. Of all the films on this list, One Cut’s closest companion is the DIY haunted yard documentary The American Scream. In the end, the real gimmick isn’t the single-take. The real gimmick is Love.
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