The lasting impression of Leaving D.C. is that of ambiguity in it’s entirety. So many questions with no definitive concrete answer and there lies the appeal. Is Mark being tormented by a slick phantom or is he caught in somethings echo of sorrow? Perhaps he was right to begin with, then that would insinuate that the strange happenings occurring at his new home, surrounded by secluded woodland, is being caused deliberately by a human. It’s not the theory I’m going with and by the end of the film that one is arguably out to bed.
The use of tech in leaving D.C. is an integral component. It is Mark’s tool in trying to unravel the mystery of why and who is responsible for the sound of knocking on trees and the eerie flute music creepily descending from the nearby hill peak. This interesting tech insertion into the film creates some memorable tension. When he plays back the previous nights recording. That first flute note sends a skull shiver that hits hard. When weird eerie music echoes in the middle of nowhere in found footage. We know the gloves are off. The flute music is used to great effect and superbly transitions the tone from natural wild sounds of owls, crickets and woodland critters to what could be the soundtrack of a lonely souls sorrowful eternal entrapment. Is something tied to the land?
(Mild Spoilers)
A message response to Mark from a spiritually minded woman. Suggests based on the land’s history. That the daughter of a man who committed suicide is reaching out. Lonely, isolated and forever bound. The forgotten soul longs for acceptance. Maybe company? Maybe an eternal chosen partner to pull into her echo of sadness and sorrow. I think flute is being played by the entity. This theory is touched upon and makes complete sense. If the spectre has chosen Mark or curious about his presence. The flute music could be her way of impressing Mark perhaps an attempt at flattering him or she’s luring him in like a ghostly night siren of the forest. Regardless the music is shiver inducing and creeps right under your skin burrowing into your bones. Leaving an icy fingerprint.
I’m done rambling, if you like found footage and haven’t checked this one out. Your easiest option is on Amazon Prime’s store. I paid £3.99. Money well spent as I’m a self proclaimed found footage junkie.