As Fantastic Fest kicks off tonight, Austinist will be bringing you previews of films playing at the festival. We begin today with Wendigo director Larry Fessenden's latest, The Last Winter. An interesting yet practical genre mash-up, the film is an eco-horror piece concerning the fate of an oil crew who are damaging the environment in rural Alaska. There's no serial killer here: the antagonist(?) is actually the planet, which begins to fight back when threatened by those callous enough to try and destroy it.

Having seen the first hour of the film, we can reveal a few tiny details. The camerawork alternates between static character shots and frenetic, sweeping landscape panoramas that make the viewer feel that something is about to go terribly, terribly wrong. And the Alaskan locale doesn't need much emphasis to make the viewer feel instantly isolated and claustrophobic.The Last Winter also features quite an interesting cast, with Ron Perlman in the scene-chewing, OTT lead role as a cocky crew foreman trying to keep everyone calm. Friday Night Lights favorites Connie Britton (Tami Taylor) and Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen) are also in prime supporting roles, as is James LeGros as a researcher and journalist providing an (often unheeded) voice of reason.

In sum, if Al Gore ditched his slide show and Current TV to write a genre pic, this might be the result. So hop in your hybrid or walk over in your Simple Shoes and check it out.

[Fantastic Fest Official Site]

The Last Winter
Thursday, September 20th
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar [map]
9:30pm
Free for Fantastic Fest badgeholders, and door tickets may be available (call ahead.)

Image via TheLastWinter.net.