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Fantastic Fest unfurls films and fun
Fantastic Fest is approaching at daunting speed — didn’t last year’s just happen? — and it’s trickling out a preview of its mountain of genre titles, which run from the edgiest in new fantasy to a William Castle horror classic.
Fantastic Fest, maturing in leaps and bounds and buckets of blood by the day, happens Sept. 15 through 25 at the Alamo South with 100 flicks from 30 nations. If you don’t have your badge and aren’t a FF member yet, a furry troll will bite you in your sleep.
Here’s a peek at FF’s first wave of titles, including descriptions provided by the fest and noted guest appearances:
“Art of the Devil 3” (2008, Thailand, director: Ronin Team) A prequel to one of the most graphic and visually creative horror movies in recent times, ART OF THE DEVIL 3 is a tale of unrequited love set amid the exotic world of rural Thai black magic.
“Cargo 200” (2007, Russia, director: Aleksei Balabanov) Acclaimed Russian director Balabanov’s tale interweaves stories of cowardice, corruption and horror set against the backdrop of the birth of perestroika in the Soviet Union.
“Dark Floors” (2008, Finland, director: Pete Riski) Finnish heavy metal legends Lordi (dressed in their actual stage costumes!!!) star as demons from another dimension who torment a band of strangers trapped in a hospital.
“Donkey Punch” (2008, United Kingdom, director: Oliver Blackburn) Seven sexy young Brits are hanging out on a “borrowed” yacht for a day of drugs, debauchery, and ultimately donkey punching. It’s the last activity that causes everything to unravel. After the screening, follow us to Ladybird Lake for the potentially inappropriate Donkey Punch Boat Party.
“Eagle Eye” (2008, USA, director: D.J. Caruso) Two strangers (Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan) become the pawns of a mysterious woman they have never met, but who seems to know their every move. Realizing they are being used to further her evil plans, they must work together to outwit the woman before she has them killed. During the week of the festival, take part in the EAGLE EYE cell phone scavenger hunt. Director D.J. Caruso (DISTURBIA) live in person!
“I Think We’re Alone Now” (2007, USA, director: Sean Donnelly) This fascinating and severely disturbing documentary takes you deep into the worlds and obsessions of Kelly McCormick and Jeffery Deane Turner, who have been separately stalking 80s pop icon Tiffany for nearly 20 years. Director Sean Donnelly live in person!
The Short Films of Nacho Vigalondo (various, Spain, director: Nacho Vigalondo) Festival darling and last year’s grand prize winner Nacho Vigalondo didn’t just come out of nowhere with his first feature TIMECRIMES. In 2003 he directed academy award-nominated short 7:35 IN THE MORNING and has a large and impressive body of short films. Fantastic Fest is premiering the collected short works of Nacho Vigalondo, many subtitled in English for the first time for this program.
“Spine Tingler: The William Castle Story” (2007, USA, director: Jeffrey Schwarz) William Castle, one of the mighty giants of fantastic film and media manipulation is lauded and explained by the ones who knew him and loved him best.
“Terra” (2008, Canada, director: Aristomenis Tsirbas) An Armada of humans arrives on a habitable planet with intentions of colonization, but the seemingly peaceful indigenous creatures turn out to have some unexpected moxie. Beautifully animated with voice talent by David Cross, Brian Cox, Dennis Quaid, Rachael Wood and Luke Wilson.
“The Tingler” (1959, USA, director: William Castle) William Castle’s masterpiece, an electrifying celebration of tactile horror that culminates in a shocking climax which audience members may never recover from. For this special presentation, the theater at the Alamo will be wired to recreate Castle’s greatest gimmick: “Percepto!”
PLUS! Fantastic Fest parties and special events:
Opening Night Party: Air Sex World Finals
Closing Night Party: “Get Lit,” a subterranean dance party a mile beneath the earth at nearby Longhorn Caverns.
Fantastic Feud and All-Night Karaoke Party
Fantastic Debates
100 Best Kills
Get complete FF info here.
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