Suffer

Carlock and Lund-Ulrich wrote and produced Suffer during the COVID-19 lockdowns. They wrote a story that could be shot outdoors, with a masked lead performer and a small enough crew to pod together safely. Filmed in the Idaho wilderness over fifteen grueling days, the production operated on a $30,000 budget and a crew of six. The filmmakers made strategic sacrifices—dispensing with a dedicated sound operator since most of the “exiles” were silent—and prioritizing visuals. Lund-Ulrich then personally created roughly 600 of the film’s 800 visual effects shots. The castle set was created entirely in Unreal Engine—another impressive milestone.

Suffer is a testament to the indie filmmaker’s credo of making a big film with minimal resources, and a $30,000 budget for a fantasy epic is, to say the least, a monumental feat. The film’s Idaho locations are gorgeous, and the indoor castle set is ambitious, but it’s the visual effects that seal the deal. If you’ve ever wanted to make a fantasy film on your own, Carlock and Lund-Ulrich prove it can be done “cheap” and by sheer determination. Every penny is put to good use, particularly with props and costumes. Preparation is the key to success for low-budget indie films.

“…$30,000 budget for a fantasy epic is, to say the least, a monumental feat.”

Storywise, this is a decidedly feminist tale, drawing its allegory from the patriarchy’s act of taking away the protagonist’s voice. Sure, some might feel it’s a bit too on the nose, but by giving voice to a movement, it can move forward; when the voice is taken away, it is through community that a movement’s momentum can build. Naomi McDougall Jones carries the film with an emotional and physical performance.

Suffer shows that power doesn’t come from lone saviors but from the shared struggle of a community. Filmmakers Carlock and Lund-Ulrich prove that indie filmmakers are still out there building worlds with grit, purpose, and something meaningful to say.

For more information, visit the Suffer official website.