DRIFTWOOD

THE STORY:
Riddled with guilt over the loss of his rock star older brother, 16 year old David Forrester (Ricky Ullman) becomes obsessed with death, leading his misguided parents to send him to Driftwood, an "Attitude Adjustment Camp for Troubled Youths" run by the sadistic Captain Doug Kennedy (Diamond Dallas Page) and his brutal young henchman, Yates (Talan Torriero). Once there, David becomes haunted by the spirit of Jonathan (Connor Ross), a former inmate who met a mysterious end; a mystery whose resolution could very well be David's only way out..............
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY:
After completing production on the horror comedy 2001 MANIACS , an admittedly over-the-top, decidedly non-PC “Splatstick”, co-writer/director Tim Sullivan found himself disturbed by a post-Columbine trend in America; the proliferation of privately owned and run “Attitude Adjustment Camps” for youths deemed troubled and problematic by their parents. Though some youth, in fact, may require severe response to their crimes and violence (i.e. hardened youth offenders who actually find their way into the government run juvenile prison system), the psychology (and business plan) behind these “Adjustment Camps” is to play upon the fears of wealthy parents unable to relate to their teenager that Little Johnny’s troubling behavior may actually be the budding seeds of the next teen “Columbine Killer”. The horrid part is that the definition of ‘troubling’ could easily be that Junior listens to AFI and HIM, reads FANGORIA magazine, wears black, has piercings in unseen places, and (horror of all horrors) may actually prefer the same sex to the girl next door. Thus, on a regular basis, kids who just don’t click with Mom and Dad are being shipped to attitude adjustment camps all over the USA, where they are brutalized, programmed and in some extreme cases, actually murdered (as recently exemplified by the headline making death of a young boy in such an Attitude Adjustment Camp in Florida). The greatest nightmare of all— If Little Johnny is under the age of 18, he’s got no legal rights whatsoever, and if Mom and Dad sign him over, he’s a prisoner till he turns 18. And so, with 2001 MANIACS and SNOOP DOGG’S HOOD OF HORROR under his belt, Sullivan enlisted writing partner Chris Kobin to tackle another type of horror for his follow-up. A complete flip in vibe from the broad tone of his first two features, DRIFTWOOD is a character driven supernatural thriller that has been described as STAND BY ME meets GHOST STORY. It’s Sullivan’s way of expressing his driving philosophy (as expressed in his first producing effort, the cult classic DETROIT ROCK CITY ) that no one should be forced to be what they are not, for if and when that does occur, the real nightmares truly do take shape… Welcome to DRIFTWOOD.
STATUS:
Produced by Mike Richardson (SIN CITY, HELL BOY, ALIEN VS PREDATOR) for DARK HORSE INDIE as part of his production deal with IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT , DRIFTWOOD features some of the top young talent on the scene today. Heading this cast of up and comers are Ricky Ullman (PHIL OF THE FUTURE) and Talan Torriero (MTV’s LAGUNA BEACH), both bravely playing against type, along with World Champion Wrestler turned actor (DEVILS REJECTS) and Yoga guru, Diamond Dallas Page , portraying the truly evil mastermind behind DRIFTWOOD. Rounding out the cast are seasoned vetsDavid Eigenberg (SEX AND THE CITY), Lin Shaye (SNAKES ON A PLANE), Marc McClure (SUPERMAN), Jeremy Lelliott (7TH HEAVEN), Russell Sams (RULES OF ATTRACTION) and John Walcutt (GHOST WHISPERER). Assisting behind the scenes , a stellar roster of Hollywood pros took a leave of absence from the studio system to get down and dirty once again with this independently funded and minded project, among them producers Bob Engelman (BLADE, THE MASK), Barry Levine (DETROIT ROCK CITY) and Bud Smith (THE EXORCIST, TO LIVE and DIE IN LA), cinematographer Steve Adcock (2001 MANIACS, DEADWOOD), editorM. Scott Smith (THE CROW),composer William Ross (LADDER 49, YOUNG BLACK STALLION)and Warped Tour favorites Tad Jacobs and Bobby Alt who formed the super group Split Window to write and perform the end title rocker SET ME FREE.
DRIFTWOOD review by TEX MASSACRE
“Fans of Sullivan’s debut feature are apt for a severe case of shell shock when they sit down to view DRIFTWOOD. Gone are the sly sexual innuendos, the free-for-all madness, the musical interludes and the grisly gore effects. In it’s place, Sullivan delivers a harsh dissertation on abusive authority and senseless violence. DRIFTWOOD has more in common with the dramatic works of Stephen King than it does with the bloody excesses of most modern day horror films. All-in-all the film delivers an exceptionally well-rounded look at a very real type of terror.” READ FULL REVIEW HERE
DRIFTWOOD review by COLONEL SCOTT W. PERRY
"Tim Sullivan, who impressed with his first directorial film 2001 MANIACS, makes a terrific sophomore effort here, and wisely went with thrills as opposed to gore. This film was shot in 15 days on a shoestring budget, and Sullivan got the most of his location and actors. With 2001 Maniacs he showed he is not afraid to go all out with splatter and slapstick. With Driftwood, he proves that he can create just as compelling a story and film while staying true to the genre he loves. He is one in the horror genre to keep an eye on." READ FULL REVIEW HERE
DRIFTWOOD review by NOMAD
"Driftwood is one part Holes, one part Cool Hand Luke, with a little dash of Stir of Echoes thrown in. Tim Sullivan presents a story of desperation wrapped around a study in fear, whether that fear is of a physically imposing authority figure or a supernatural being. The walls of Driftwood hold more than one dark secret, but revealing them could mean the death to all who know. And a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing." READ FULL REVIEW HERE
DRIFTWOOD review by SLICK MATECHECK