Yes, one of the best film festivals in the world, the Fantasia Film Festival, kicks off today! Once again the schedule is utterly crammed with the fantastic programming, premieres, fan fodder and ultra-cool stuff that you would expect from this festival that kicks off its 2019 event tonight!
SADAKO
Tonight the horror world sees the return of a sinister horror icon with the North American premiere of SADAKO, kicking off the festival. Filmmaker Hideo Nakata, returns to the franchise and has decided to double the stakes by adding a second Sadako to the mix…
A young girl with amnesia is admitted to a Tokyo hospital’s psychiatric wing. Raised in secrecy, she barely managed to survive a fire started by her mother who, because of the former’s telekinetic powers, believed her to be the reincarnated Sadako. Psychologist Mayu Akikawa quickly grows fond of her, seeing herself reflected in her solitary past, a lifetime of loneliness. Meanwhile, Mayu’s brother Kazuma, a producer of absurd online videos, attempts to boost his viewership by broadcasting an excursion into the burned ruins of the girl’s house, when he suddenly disappears. Alarmed by the last-seen images of her only family and by several supernatural events linking her new patient to Sadako’s curse, Mayu sets off in search of Kazuma.
Fantasia had a hand in making RINGU as popular as it is in North America. Fitting that they herald her return.
FANTASIA UNDERGROUND and INDIE DISCOVERIES
The new and exciting visions of up and coming filmmakers are what feed the creative fire at festivals. We love to see what new worlds we will hope to explore, what visions we can expect. One that stands out to us is the dreamy DIY supernatural thriller THE DEEPER YOU DIG (World Premiere). The line between the living and the dead collapses for a mother, daughter, and stranger in the aftermath of a roadside accident. A family affair, the movie was written, directed, and produced by John Adams, Toby Poser, and their daughter, Zelda. They also star, shoot, and compose the film’s score. The intimacy of the production is felt in the immediacy of the performances and the depth of ideas. This journey into the underworld crawls under your skin and draws you into your deepest, darkest nightmares.
Dreadout: the video game adaptation you’ve been waiting for
Could there actually be such a thing as a great horror video game adaptation? WE WANT TO BELIEVE! DREADOUT (North American Premiere), adapted from the popular video game is writer-director-producer Kimo Stamboel first solo feature that could be all that we hope for; An ample serving of the undead with a shot of demonic possession on the side. As the plot goes, in an attempt to boost their online popularity, a group of friends obsessed with their social media exposure decide to broadcast their clandestine visit into an abandoned building that was last used by a cult, and end up opening a portal to an alternate dimension.
Color us very excited!
Retro Frights
Fantasia retro unveils genre classics on the big screen in a big way with the screening of the 4K restoration World Premiere of THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE (Spain, 1974) – Dir: Jorge Grau. That’s not to mention DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN (USA, 1971)in a new, world premiere Restoration by Severin Films.
Other highlights include…
DECODER (Germany, 1984) – Dir: Muscha
New 2K Restoration from Vinegar Syndrome. World Premiere.
SATAN’S SLAVE (Indonesia, 1982) – Dir: Sisworo Gautama Putra
New 2K Restoration by Severin Films. International Premiere.
SON OF THE WHITE MARE (Hungary, 1981) – Dir: Marcell Jankovics
New 4K Restoration by Arbelos Films. World Premiere.
LEGEND OF THE STARDUST BROTHERS (Japan, 1981) – Dir. Makoto Tezuka
New 2K Restoration from Third Window Films. Canadian Premiere.
Joe Bob Briggs Live Event!
Joe Bob Briggs, who currently hosts The Last Drive-In, will blow the roof of Fantasia’s trailer park with Shudder Presents Joe Bob Briggs Live: How Rednecks Saved Hollywood: an energetic live performance which rockets audiences through decades of gory, sleazy, and just plain awesome exploitation cinema via rapid-fire photos, video clips, and hilarious, informative commentary from America’s favorite horror host.
So those are the things we are DYING to see. We are sure there will be some suprises along the way as well and, frankly, those are what make Fantasia Film Festival one of the most exciting festivals in the world. A hybrid of horror, fantasy, sci-fi, genre, and indie films and fandom that pushed the boundaries every year with an infectious glee.
Tickets and information are available on the Fantasia Film Festival Site here. See you in the dark!
