HUSK COMES TO DVD TODAY

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The first of the afterdark originals has being released today on DVD.

When a murder of crows smashes into their car windshield, a group of young friends are forced to abandon the vehicle, leaving them stranded beside a desolate cornfield. Hidden deep within the cornfield they find a crumbling farmhouse – but they soon discover that instead of a sanctuary, the house is actually the centre of a terrifying supernatural ritual that they are about to become a part of…

For more information about After Dark Originals  www.facebook.com/afterdarkoriginals.uk



OLD BOY MEETS TAKEN

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If you are a fan of Revenge Thrillers like OLD BOY and TAKEN, then you will love the upcoming gritty Korean thriller THE MAN FROM NOWHERE.

Directed by Jeong-Beom Lee (CRUEL WINTER BLUES) A MAN FROM NOWHERE was a box office hit in Korea, where it was the highest grossing movie of 2010 and swept the board at the Korea Film Awards taking honours for Best Actor, Best New Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Music, Best Lighting, Best Visual Effects and Best Editing, 
A MAN FROM NOWHERE is, without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest Korean movie to come along in recent years and puts Korean cinema firmly back into the world cinema scene.

The release date of the film is April 11th and will be reviewed on Snakebitehorror in the coming weeks.

COLD FISH HITS UK CINEMAS

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The latest feature from cult Japanese writer-director Sion Sono (Love Exposure), Cold Fish is “yet another step in Sion Sono's rise as one of Japan's most consistently bold and intriguing film makers… [and] stands as one of the most powerful, punishing works to come out of Japan this year” (Twitch).

Inspired by and loosely based on the real-life exploits of serial killer couple Gen Sekine and his ex-wife Hiroko Kazama (the perpetrators of Tokyo’s notorious 1993 “Saitama serial murders of dog lovers” killings), the film is a psychotic cavalcade of sex, violence and comedy that has been hailed by Variety for its “gleeful humour and dare-you-to-watch aesthetic”.

Shamoto runs a small tropical fish shop. His second wife, Taeko, does not get along with his daughter, Mitsuko, and this worries him. One day Mitsuko is caught shoplifting at a grocery store. There they meet a friendly man named Murata, who helps to settle things between Mitsuko and the store manager. Since Murata also runs a tropical fish shop, Shamoto establishes a bond with him and they become friends; Mitsuko even begins working for Murata and living at his house. What Shamoto doesn’t know, however, is that Murata hides many dark secrets behind his friendly face. He sells cheap fish to his customers for high prices with his artful lies. If anyone detects his fraud or refuses to go along with his moneymaking schemes, they’re murdered and their bodies disposed of by Murata and his wife in grisly ways.

Shamoto is taken in by Murata’s tactics, and by the time he realizes that Murata is insane, and a serial killer who has made over fifty people disappear, he is powerless to do anything about it. But now Mitsuko is a hostage at Murata’s home and Shamoto himself has become the killer’s unwilling accomplice. Cruel murders gradually cripple his mind and finally the ordinary man is driven to the edge of the abyss.

Not for the squeamish or those easily offended by graphic images of sex and violence, Cold Fish is a compelling, slowburn thriller, peppered throughout with unexpected twists and surprises and, to quote Variety, “the last reel’s a doozy.”



THE STUNNING GEMMA ATKINSON IS BACK IN AIRBORNE

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Gemma Atkinson (Hollyoaks, 13 Hrs, Julian Glover (Quatermass, Empire Strikes Back) and Alan Ford (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch lead the cast in supernatural horror thriller Airborne, which is currently shooting on locations in Surrey, England.

Airborne tells the story of a disparate group of air travellers stalked by an ancient evil aboard an in-flight jumbo jet.

Leading British indie Black and Blue Films have has joined forces with Simon Phillips’ Press On Features to co-produce and Dominic Burns is director.
Black and Blue Films’ Jonathan Sothcott said today “I was attracted by the idea of making what is basically a feature length version of the Terror At 20,00 Feet segment of Twilight Zone The Movie.”



THE HORROR CHANNEL CELEBRATES TOBE HOOPER

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The Horror Channel celebrates the films of iconic director Tobe Hooper win an exclusive interview plus screenings of ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’, ‘Eaten Alive’, ‘Salem’s Lot’, ‘Freddy’s Nightmares’ (No More Mr. Nice Guy) and his 2004 remake of ‘The Toolbox Murders’.

Tobe Hooper: Director’s night Special edition will run over two nights – Thurs 31st March and Friday 1st April and features an interview by Emily Booth, filmed when the director was guest of honour at FrightFest 2010. The interview will run in two parts, the first, focussing on ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’, will run following ‘Salem’ Lot’ (Part 1) and the second, which turns attention on Hooper’s life, will follow ‘Salem’s Lot’ (Part 2).

Here is how the line up looks:

Thurs 31st March

21:00  STEPHEN KING’S SALEM’S LOT (1979) - Part 1

22.55  THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974)

00:50  FREDDY’S NIGHTMARES (1988) – Ep 1:  More Mr. Nice Guy

Fri 1st April

21:00  STEPHEN KING’S SALEM’S LOT (1979) - Part 2

22:55  EATEN ALIVE (1977)

00:50  TOOLBOX MURDERS (2004)

You can find the Horror Channel on SKY channel 319


FRIGHTFEST TAKES US INTO THE SHADOWS

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Federico Zampaglione’s twisted tale of terror and torment is set for a UK theatrical release nationwide on Friday 29th April, followed by a DVD & Blu-ray release on the 23rd May.

SHADOW is the first title to be released through FrightFest Features, the recently created joint venture between Wild Bunch and FrightFest which will, through eOne, distribute movies within the horror genre in the UK.

Returning from a devastating tour of duty in Iran, David (Jake Muxworthy) decides to go on a mountain-biking adventure in the Alps to put his horrific memories of war behind him.


High in the Alpine forest he meets pretty young Angeline (Karina Testa) and together they explore their idyllic surroundings. They discover a local legend about a lost Nazi experiment camp - a discovery that will force David to endure horrors more terrifying than anything he encountered on the battlefield. He will come face-to-face with the bloodthirsty butcher Mortis (Nuot Arquint) and learn that reality is far sicker, far gorier and far deadlier than any nightmare imaginable.

World premiered at Film4 FrightFest, SHADOW has garnered Zampaglione huge critical and audience acclaim. He is planning to be in London for the opening and will attend a Q & A at the Empire, Leicester Sq. following the film's first public screening on Friday 29th April.

Zampaglione said today: “I’m thrilled that audiences in the UK will get to see my film on the big screen. It means the world to me. And I’m especially looking forward to returning to the cinema that was the first in the world to show it.”

FrightFest’s Alan Jones commented: “FrightFest has an enviable international reputation for discovering major new talent, which Federico Zampaglione and SHADOW exemplify. We couldn't be more delighted that Wild Bunch is joining us in bringing them to a wider and appreciative audience”.

Wild Bunch co-founder Alain De Mata added:  ”Having followed and been greatly impressed by the year-on-year growth of FrightFest festivals, both in London and in Glasgow as well, Wild Bunch is honoured to join forces with the preeminent purveyors of the finest horror cinema in the UK in what we feel to be a perfect, unholy alliance.”


AFTER DARK HEADS TO THE UK

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After 4 hugely successful years in the US, AFTER DARK: HORRORFEST comes to EMPIRE CINEMAS with the AFTER DARK ORIGINALS; a horror festival weekend around the UK through UK distributor G2 PICTURES – famous for providing cutting edge genre films.

Starting Friday 4th March through to Sunday 6th March horror fans in key cities in the UK and Ireland will get 7 brand new original horror films and enjoy the opportunity to get dressed up and participate in exciting in-cinema activity and competitions.

Films include; Husk – starring C.J. Thomason (Harper’s Island) - about a group of friends who become stranded beside a desolate cornfield and find an old farmhouse. They soon discover the house is the centre of a terrifying supernatural ritual.  Prowl, starring Ruta Gedmintas (Lip Service) and Courtney Hope (CSI:Miami), is a gruesome tale of a bunch of friends who accept a ride from a truck driver and find themselves taken to an abandoned warehouse where they become the prey for blood - thirsty creatures learning to hunt. Scream of the Banshee stars Lance Henriksen (Aliens, The Terminator). When a Banshee is unleashed, all who heard her scream start to die one by one.

Also showing are; Seconds Apart, Scream of the Banshee, Fertile Ground, The Task and 51. See below for full synopses. Each title will also receive a separate DVD and Blu-Ray release with a complete ‘special edition’ box set scheduled for Halloween 2011.

In the US AFTER DARK ORIGINALS: HORRORFEST has been celebrated with the same enthusiasm as with the Rocky Horror Picture Show. UK fans finally get the chance to become part of one of the most important festivals in the movie calendar.



NEW CREATURE FEATURE HITS DVD MARCH 14TH

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Starring JESSICA LOWNDES (Autopsy); JULIANNA GUILL (Glory Daze; and LANDON LIBOIRON (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and  directed by KAARE ANDREWS The debut feature from award-winning comic book writer and illustrator Kaare Andews (The Incredible Hulk; Ultimate X-Men; Amazing Spider-Man) comes creature feature thriller Altitude. From the trailer it looks like we have another hit on our hands. The review will be up very soon, but while you are waiting click the poster and check out the trailer


BRIT HORROR SPIDERHOLE COULD BE A MASSIVE HIT!

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Here is a little hidden gem that will be coming out soon. British horror SPIDERHOLE looks like it could be a very gory example of great british horror films you get from time to time. here is the general plot:

Spiderhole will draw you into its subtle web until you find yourself entangled in a horrid reality. The story is brought to you through the eyes of Molly, an attractive vivacious young artist.

Molly, together with her three art student friends, embark upon a mission to find an empty house in London, with the view to living as squatters, free from rent, and free to party.

Having found the ideal squat, they break in and go about the merry business of dressing the stark interior to reflect their artistic selves.  Darkness pervades their new dwelling place, a darkness through which they discover the full implications of their intrepid choice. 

Click the film poster for trailer!


WOMEN IN HORROR MONTH

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Behind every good horror is a scream queen who steals in the show. from the legendary INGRID PITT to the queen of screams Jamie Lee Curtis. Febuary is the month where horror fans pay homage to some of the best women in horror.

Take a look at the official website: http://womeninhorrormonth.com/

HOBO WITH A SHOT GUN DIRECTOR TO ATTEND GLASGOW FRIGHTFEST

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Jason Eisenner, director of pistol-packing Sundance favourite ‘Hobo With a   Shotgun’ will be attending the European Premiere of his film at the FrightFest event in Glasgow on Sat 27th Feb.

Also confirmed to attend are Simon Rumley, Sean Hogan and Andrew Parkinson, the

directors behind the sex and horror anthology’ Little Deaths’. Joining the trio of terror-meisters are Kate Braithwaite and Tom Sawyer, the lead actors in Rumley’s segment ‘Bitch’  ‘Little Deaths’ opens the event on Friday 26 Feb.

Glasgow FrightFest takes place Fri 26-Sat 27 at the GFT Cinema 1


THE DEAD IS  FINALLY  BEING RELEASED IN THE UK AND AMERICA!

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Snakebite favourite 'THE DEAD' has been snapped up by Anchor Bay.Anchor Bay Starz UK Managing Director Rod Smith brought all UK rights and will be releasing the film in cinemas in England followed by DVD by Halloween 2011.

All other rights for North America have been purchased by Anchor Bay Starz, who will release the film on DVD later in the year.

Shot on locations across Burkina Faso and Ghana, West Africa on 35mm including many never before committed to celluloid locations, THE DEAD is unlike anything horror audiences have ever experienced. Centered around the journey of an American mercenary, the sole survivor of a plane crash, who has to run the gauntlet across the terrains of Africa, battling against the living dead. Along his journey he finds an ally in a local military man who is desperately searching for his son amongst the chaos. They must band together to make their way through this brand new horrific world of the undead.

 Making THE DEAD was an incredible journey on its own. As producer/director Howard J. Ford revealed during the films showing at Frightfest 2010 :

“We encountered real death on a daily basis and were also held up at gun point several times, encountered real cannibals, arrested, endured dysentery and the lead actor Rob Freeman very nearly died after contracting Malaria in the middle of filming”


JAIME WINSTONE TEAMS UP WITH HER DAD FOR CANNIBAL HORROR

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Jaime Winstone is to star alongside her father, Ray Winstone, in ELFIE HOPKINS – a twisted tale of cannibalism set in a British rural hunting village, which begins principle photography on March 8 in locations around Cardiff. This is the first time both actors have worked together.

Jaime plays the title role, a quirky “wanna-be” detective whose appetite for a real-life case is matched by the appetites of a new family (The Gammons) who move into the village.

Jaime said today: Elfie Hopkins has been an alter ego of mine for a while now and I can't wait for the world to meet her.  She’ll kick ass!. For me, Elfie's a dream role to play and I feel there is a gap in the British film industry which we will more then fill! I can’t wait to work with Ryan Andrews - he is a young and exciting director with a vision that can match my imagination”.

Producer Jonathan Sothcott added:"We're delighted to be bringing Jaime and Ray Winstone together in a movie for the first time. They are both utterly compelling screen actors and we have a script worthy of their combined talents. I know Jaime will make Elfie an instant cult icon and in Ryan Andrews I have a director I think will be seen as a British Tim Burton"



'THE DEAD' SET FOR US AND UK CINEMA RELEASE

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Snakebite Horror's current favourite zombie film is coming to UK cinemas.

Howard J Ford, Director of ‘THE DEAD’, was finally able to reveal today that US and UK theatrical distribution are right now being agreed and will be announced shortly.

“Sorry it’s taken a long while to get news out. In truth, it’s taken us a year longer than anticipated for distribution to be agreed but for very good reason: We could have taken 100+ deals from distributors for ‘The Dead’ to just go out on DVD but we didn’t nearly kill ourselves shooting this movie on 35mm film across Africa for it not to go out on the big screen”

Although unable to say who has bought the film, Ford revealed that “distribution in the US will happen theatrically, initially in 20 major US cities this spring and then spread outward depending on how many people actually turn up to see it”.  

Well over 200,000 people have logged on to the film's site to enquire when the film will be released! www.thedead-movie.com



 ANGEL GOES TO THE HORROR CHANNEL

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OKAY! i know this isnt major film news but as i am a massive angel and buffy fan i couldn't NOT send this info out. ANGEL has be brought by THE HORROR CHANNEL (sky 319/virgin 149) and has been in full swing for a good few weeks. If you have never seen ANGEL...WHY NOT!!!! go to THE HORROR CHANNEL NOW!

MIRRORS 2 SET FOR RELEASE THIS JANUARY

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Starring Emmanuelle Vaughier (CSI NY & Saw II) & Nick Stahl (Terminator 3), Mirrors 2 follows the story of Max, a recovering addict struggling to come to terms with the car crash which killed his fiancé and left him tortured with the memory of her death.

Riddled with guilt and determined to try and make a new life for himself Max takes a job as nighttime security guard in the Mayflower department store, but as his nightshifts begin he sees visions of a young, mysterious woman in the store’s mirrors. Unsure as to whether he is hallucinating or these visions are real Max checks the stores security camera archives with terrifying results. 

Determined to find out more about the girl in the mirror Max visits the home of his predecessor only to be faced by a man ravaged by a horrific attack which forced him to give up his job.  Unable to speak and mentally scarred by his time at the Mayflower, Max knows that if he is to find out who the girl in the mirror is he must look further into the mystery surrounding this seemingly normal department store.

As the truth reveals itself staff members begin to suddenly disappear and Max is faced with a series of horrifying and brutal murders interlaced with the malicious cover up of an innocent store worker’s rape and murder. Running out of time as more members of staff continue to disappear Max is forced to delve deeper into the dark history of the cursed Mayflower department store, discovering that there may be more than first meets the eye.

After finding local woman Elizabeth Reign’s (Emmanuelle Vaughier) missing sister used to work at the store, Max makes it his personal mission to uncover the truth of the Mayflower murders. Will Max find out who the woman in the mirror is and get out of the store alive or will the curse of the Mayflower consume every unsuspecting victim that comes through its doors…?

Taken from the original film Mirrors and based on thE Korean horror Into The Mirrors, this spine chilling supernatural horror will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.



THE JOHN WAYNE GACY STORY CONTINUES...

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Set for release on March 7th 2011, THE LAST VICTIM is the true story of 18 year old Jason Moss who dared to confront notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

  Starring William Forsythe (Devil’s Rejects, Rob Zombie’s Halloween) as John Wayne Gacy, this Anchor Bay Entertainment title is an adaptation of The Last Victim, the memoirs of Jason Moss, (played by Jesse Moss - Final Destination. The Uninvited), a law student fascinated by serial killers who formed a relationship with Gacy during the killer’s last year on Death Row. Sadly, the title of the book took on a poignant new meaning when Jason Moss committed suicide in June 2006. At the time of his death, he was a practicing criminal defense attorney.

Keep your eyes open for a preview review of the film within the coming weeks.




OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING THRILLER 'CHATROOM'

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From horror director Hideo Nakata (The Ring, Dark Water) Comes an alternative look at the social network. Hitting cinema's on December 22nd, this horror thriller could be good one. Here is the plot and trailer:

When five teenagers meet online, innocent friendships are forged.  But soon one dysfunctional member, increasingly drawn to the darker side of the online world, singles out the most vulnerable in the group and seizes the chance to erase his own past.  A chance to manipulate, to make a statement: a chance to lead someone down the path of no return.  Set in both online and offline worlds, this smart psychological thriller has a poignant relevancy, exposing the chilling reality of what happens when the lines between reality and cyberspace become blurred…

OPTIMUM ANNOUNCE A SPECIAL SCREENING OF A HORROR CLASSIC!

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The horror classic PEEPING TOM will be getting a special showing this November at London's Curzon. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the original release,Oscar-winning filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell, and one of the stars of the film: Columba Powell, will be interviewed by BBC Radio 4’s Francine Stock in front of a public audience, following a screening.

PEEPING TOM: 50th Anniversary Celebration
 
Venue:
 
The Curzon Soho
99 Shaftesbury Avenue,
London,
W1D 5DY
 
Timings:
 
Saturday 13th November 2010
5.20pm - Doors open
5.50pm - Intro
5.55pm - Film commences
7.35pm – Martin Scorsese, Columba Powell & Thelma Schoonmaker  In Conversation with Francine Stock
8.15pm - Q&A ends

Ticket prices: £22.50 | £20.00 members
More info on booking soon on http://www.curzoncinemas.com/#/venues/soho

DO YOU BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS?

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  If you don’t believe in Father Christmas now you will this Christmas.
December sees the release of the ultimate Christmas horror RARE EXPORTS.

In this film SANTA is a horned demon known as the YULE GOAT who terrorised children. Cut to the modern day as an American drilling team unearth the tomb of Santa in the Korvatunturi Mountains. It is down to a child and a trio of reindeer herders to stop the evil being unleashed yet again.

RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE is said to be a modern Christmas fantasy horror that could rival the likes of Gremlins. If you can't wait till December to see this film then make sure you grab a ticket to this year’s FRIGHTFEST HALLOWEEN ALL NIGHTER (SEE BELOW FOR A TRAILER)



FRIGHTFEST ALL NIGHTER LINE UP ANNOUNCED

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Revenge Japanese style, American psychos, sharks, cannibal girls and a Finnish nightmare before Christmas  - it can only be Film4 FrightFest’s Halloween all-nighter event – taking place this year at the Empire Cinema 2, Leicester Square on Saturday October 30, 2010.

A fantastic line-up of world or UK premieres, sneak previews and a Retro Classic to scare you, dazzle you, make you jump and creep you out.

Kicking things at 6pm in spectacular fashion we have one of the best films of the year - Japan’s official Oscar contender CONFESSIONS. This twisted revenge saga, directed by ‘KAMIKAZE GIRLS’ Tetsuya Nakashima will take your breath away. Not since Park Chan-Wook’s VENGEANCE trilogy has the psychological warfare of crime and punishment been so brilliantly or elegantly brought to stark life.  

Then it’s up, up and away with ALTITUDE, a remarkably taut Twilight Zone-style tale about high flying teenagers trapped in a deadly showdown with an airborne supernatural force. Next is this year’s Cannes sensation - director Gustavo Hernandez’s haunted house shocker THE SILENT HOUSE.

The Midnight Madness slot goes to CHOOSE - to jolt you into Sunday. Scarlip is the new games master on the shock block in our highly anticipated World Premiere presentation. Then, to follow, there’s grief on THE REEF in the scariest shark chiller since JAWS, the latest wilderness survival thriller from BLACK WATER director Andrew Traucki.

If you’re feeling a bit dozy at this point, it’s time to face ‘The Picture with the WARNING BELL!’ FrightFest proudly presents our 2010 retro classic, Ivan (GHOSTBUSTERS) Reitman’s CANNIBAL GIRLS in all its gruesome gimmick and gag glory.  And we finish off with a Finnish fairytale currently garnering ecstatic world-of-mouth on the festival circuit. RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE is unlike any Santa Claus movie you’ve ever seen before.

Tickets cost £50 and go on sale on Saturday October 2. To book call 08 714 714 714 or go online to: www.empirecinemas.co.uk


CONFESSIONS (UK Premiere)

A teacher attempts to wreak a terrible revenge on the students she blames for the death of her 4 year-old daughter in KAMIKAZE GIRLS and MEMORIES OF MATSUKO director Tetsuya Nakashima’s ethereal and sinister shocker, selected as Japan's official entry for the 2010 Oscars. Through the most twisted retaliations, a stunning operatic style, fabulous cinematic flourishes and a theme song by Radiohead, you’ll be blown away by this intensely savage masterpiece throbbing with the darkest of emotions. Shot in the cool greys and blues of a world permanently drained of colour by collective trauma, the heroes and villains of Nakashima’s universe inflict constant pain, the only sure-fire means of communicating their own suffering. An unforgettable experience.

106 mins   Director: Tetsuya Nakashima   Japan 2010

Takako Matsu – Yuko Moriguchi

Masaki Okada – Yoshiteru Terada

Yoshino Kimura – Naoki’s mother

ALTITUDE (UK Premiere)

Having lost her mother in a tragic plane accident, rookie aviator Addie’s father has forbidden her to fly. Nevertheless, determined to follow in her mother’s footsteps, she defiantly makes her debut flight. But disaster strikes. A freak mechanical failure sends the tiny aircraft climbing through a storm to an impossible height, and then plummeting through a terrifying inexplicable mist. After regaining control Addie and her friends are lost in a mysterious cloudbank and are confronted with a horrifying realization – the ground beneath them has vanished and a malevolent supernatural force lurking in the clouds wants them dead. Directed by Kaare Andrews, an award-winning artist and filmmaker, who in the comic world has written and drawn Spider-Man and The X-Men and provided acclaimed covers for The Incredible Hulk. 

90 mins   Director: Kaare Andrews   Canada 2010

Jessica Lowndes - Addie

Julianna Guill - Mel

Ryan Donowho - Cory

Jake Weary - Sal

Landon Liboiron – Bruce

THE SILENT HOUSE (UK Premiere)

Are you ready to face real fear in real time? Then here’s this year’s Cannes sensation that’s a technical, visual and atmospheric achievement unlike any other in horror history. For director Gustavo Hernandez shot his haunted house shocker on a professional Canon DSLR camera in one full, non-stop, unedited take to put you in the picture like never before. Laura and her father arrive at a remote cottage on the eve before their contract to renovate it begins. Dank, dark, gloomy and bereft of electricity - forcing the pair to rely on battery lanterns and candles – they sit and wait alone while the house owner heads out for food. He leaves them with only one instruction: Don’t Go Upstairs. When her father does just that to investigate some strange noises, Laura’s stark staring fright night commences… Strong, compelling and mesmerising, THE SILENT HOUSE is a remarkable exercise in spine-chilling terror. 

79 mins   Director: Gustavo Hernandez   Uruguay 2010

Florencia Colucci – Laura

Gustavo Alonso – Laura’s Father

Abel Tripaldi – The House Owner

Maria Salazar – The Girl

Midnight - CHOOSE (World Premiere)

Move over Jigsaw. Scarlip is the new games master on the shock block. For even though you choose, you lose, and you must pick till it makes you sick! A girl awakes to find her parents tied and gagged in their bedroom. She is told: “Do what I say or die”. Then the deformed maniac Scarlip turns over an hour glass filled with his own blood and issues an order: “I’m going to kill your mother or your father. You have sixty seconds to decide which one”. Both will be horrifically slaughtered if she doesn’t choose - and this unnatural selection scenario is about to be played over and over again. Only Fiona (rising star Katheryn Winnick) knows the deep-rooted answer to the Scarlip conundrum. For the dark past catches up with everyone sooner or later.

90 mins. USA 2010

Katheryn Winnick – Fiona

Nicholas Tucci – Scarlip

Kevin Pollak - Sheriff Tom Wagner

Bruce Dern – Dr. Ronald Pendleton

Richard Short – Detective Benson

THE REEF (Preview)

There’s grief on THE REEF in the scariest shark chiller since JAWS. For four old friends it seemed like a dream come true – a week cruising the world’s most beautiful coral reef on their own yacht. But when the vessel capsizes, leaving them stranded on the over-turned hull, that dream turns into a nightmare. What should they do? Stay with the damaged boat that could sink at any moment? Or take their chances and swim for land they hope lies 12 miles away? Deciding on the latter option they take to the open water – only to learn too late they are being stalked by a deadly great white shark. Taking a high place in the sub-genre of wilderness survival horrors, BLACK WATER director Andrew Traucki’s true-life shocker puts ordinary people in an all-too believable extreme situation and milks the suspense to screaming point when small actions become epic tragedies.

89 mins   Director: Andrew Traucki   Australia 2010

Adrienne Pickering – Suzie

Zoe Naylor – Kate

Gyton Grantley – Matt

Kieran Darcy-Smith – Warren

Damian Walshe-Howling – Luke

THE FRIGHTFEST RETRO SHOCKER

CANNIBAL GIRLS

They do exactly what you think they do! Before he produced David Cronenberg’s classic chillers SHIVERS and THE BROOD and helmed MEATBALLS and GHOSTBUSTERS, Ivan Reitman directed this low-budget, mainly improvised, purposely trashy and surreal shocker with Canadian Second City TV cult comedians including future stars Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin. When a young couple’s car breaks down in the remote town of Farnhamville, they learn the local legend of the Cannibal Girls and visit the diner where they supposedly lived. But why are they the only customers and who are the strange waitresses serving at table for their host, the Reverend Alex St. John? For the first time since its cinema release in 1973, FrightFest presents live and re-mastered ‘The Picture with the WARNING BELL! When it rings - close your eyes if you’re squeamish!’ in all its gruesome gimmick and gag glory.  

84 mins   Director: Ivan Reitman   Canada 1973

Eugene Levy – Clifford Sturges

Andrea Martin – Gloria Wellaby

Ronald Ulrich – Reverend Alex St. John

Randall Carpenter – Anthea

Bonnie Neilson – Clarissa

RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE (Preview)

From Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander comes the true story behind the legend of Santa Claus, a horned ancient demon known as the Yule Goat who terrorized the children of Lapland by spanking them to hell and back. When an American drilling team unearth Saint Nick's tomb in the Korvatunturi Mountains, it's up to a canny local child and a trio of reindeer herders to prevent the festive evil from being released to cause havoc upon the world. Or could Santa’s Little Helpers be the key to reviving the deprived area’s economic fortunes? In the fun fantasy horror tradition of GREMLINS, Helander’s cult movie is a playful, heart-felt black comedy filled with unnerving images and visual treats using the frozen expanse of northern Scandinavia to paint stunning otherworldly tableaux. Slay bells ring - are you listening?

85 mins   Director: Jalmari Helander    Finland 2010

Onni Tommila – Pietari

Jorma Tommila – Rauno

Per Christian Ellefsen – Riley

Tommi Korpela – Aimo

Rauno Juvonen – Piiparinen



SUPPORT UNRATED HORROR!

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Straight from the website www.dreadcentral.com, comes 2001 Maniacs:Field of screams Director Tim Sullivan's plea to US the horror fans regarding Unrated Horror ahead of Hatchet 2's release on October 1st

"Dear Fellow Horror Fan --

Went to the premiere of HATCHET II last night and couldn’t be prouder of my brother in horror Adam Green. Not only did he make a movie that broke all the rules and put FUN back into horror, he did it HIS way, without bending to the big studios or the MPAA. Adam made the kind of films true horror fans beg for. I know they have, because I hear them loud and clear at conventions, festivals and daily on Facebook and Twitter. Us indie horror guys have been listening to you. So I thought I’d take a moment in the wake of HATCHET II’s UNRATED THEATRICAL RELEASE this weekend to ask you guys to listen a little to me, to us, for a moment.

First off, I just wanted to say thank you for all your support of me and my film career over the past years. It’s because of YOUR support that independent cinema is alive and well. Because of YOU, there are alternatives to Michael Bay remakes of 80’s horror films and the all too familiar “product” churned out like sausages by the Hollywood studios. Most importantly, it’s because of YOU that there is a 2001 MANIACS franchise. YOU demanded a sequel, and now you’ve gotten it. 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS

It’s truly been a labor of love. A movie made by the fans for the fans. We are political incorrect and proud of it. We aim to offend and wake up complacent audiences numbed by bloated, mindless studio fodder. We aim to be to horror what punk is to rock and roll.

Having said this, if you want this kind of entertainment to continue- if you want a THIRD MANIACS to follow -- a THIRD HATCHET -- more HILLS RUN RED another HOUSE OF THE DEVIL -- more films like the upcoming indie splatstick CHILLERAMA from me and my pals Green. Adam Rifkin and Joe Lynch) then we ALL need YOUR help.

First off -- please do not steal our movies. Please do not download them illegally off the net or buy a bootleg off the street. You are literally stealing our livelihood if you do. And trust me- none of us who worked on FIELD OF SCREAMS have deep pockets. None of my brothers and sisters working in Indie horror do. I know you all think we live in giant houses and are driven in limos and have maids and butlers, but TRUST ME, we do not. Well, Adam Rifkin does. But that’s only because he invested his bar mitzvah money in real estate when he was a little boy. But besides Adam Rifkin, Us Indie horror guys cannot survive video piracy. And neither can our flicks. Giant blockbusters like TWILIGHT and IRON MAN can take a piracy hit, but we cannot. Do you realize that last week FROZEN was pirated over 125, 000 times before it even hit the markets? For some titles, that’s the total amount of units sold!

So secondly -- and most importantly -- PLEASE show your support where it matters most by going to the theaters and paying for a ticket (in the case of HATCHET II and those other Indies that miraculously get a theatrical release) or buying the DVD/BLU RAY or putting it in your Netflix cue.

By doing so, you will be casting a vote for the future of Independent Horror. If you don’t then you will be damning yourself to a future of soulless studio remakes and rehashes and absolutely nothing original.

Hey -- when you get together with your buds on a Saturday night with a case of cold ones an a hot pepperoni, you wouldn’t think of stealing the booze or pizza, would you? (Well, most of you wouldn’t.) So why would steal the flick around which your entire “Movie Night” revolves?

So please -- to say it one more time loud and fucking clear:

  • DON’T SHIT ON THE GENRE YOU LOVE.
  • DO NOT STEAL INDIE FILMS THROUGH ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS, TORRENTS OR BOOTLEGGED COPIES ON THE STREET.
  • SUPPORT INDIE HORROR.
  • SUPPORT UNRATED HORROR.
  • GO SEE HATCHET II THIS WEEKEND AND RENT OR BUY FIELD OF SCREAMS OR SOME OTHER INDIE HORROR FLICK. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for taking the time to read this and supporting 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS.

    We are one in the world of horror. Outsiders who always marched to a different beat.

    Us Indie Horror guys got your back. Thanks for getting ours.

    SHOCK N ROLL --

    Tim Sullivan"



  • BEHIND THE SCENES OF "THE DEAD" - PART 3

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    ‘So as we gear up for the US premiere next week at FantasticFest, here’s the final behind the scenes in Africa from the shoot of The Dead as the cast & crew suffer yet more sickness, near starvation and mysterious goings on that could well be related to the real Voodoo that the film taps into! Looking back at this footage, I can see that I was on the edge of loosing my sanity and although I’m trying my best to stay on track with the thousands of things that came at us during the production, I can tell you it was a very dark period of time and I’m amazed that we all made it through alive and actually delivered a film that people can now sit down and watch!

    FROM PRODUCER/DIRECTOR - HOWARD FORD

    FORD VS BROWN!

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    At midnight at FantasticFest on Sunday, Jon Ford, co-director of the Zombie epic THE DEAD and Todd Brown, editor of Twitch, will go head-to-head in the boxing ring. A row between the two started several weeks ago when Jon anonymously responded to a Twitch blogger, who had slagged The Dead off without having seen it. Todd unearthed Jon's real identity and an exchange of abusive posts took place. 

     
    As Howard Ford, producer and co-director of THE DEAD adds: "Through our publicist, Todd snubbed Jon and my offer to share a beer and shake hands, (he didn't want to waste his time) so instead a boxing match has been arranged. Todd may be six foot three but Jon is bullish about his chances.   The bout will follow a verbal 'debate' between the two of them  on the subject of 'how far should a film maker go to promote their movie' - they will exchange words before putting on the gloves.  
    Tim League, who runs FantasticFest, explains "This is a yearly event where press, filmmakers & film professionals will enter a Fantastic Fest arena for a formal debate followed by a single round of boxing. In this ring, the great issues facing the fan community are solved once and for all."


    Psycho-sexual terror gets US release

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    On 23rd Sept 2010 Simon Rumley’s RED WHITE & BLUE is set to be released theatrically in the United States – plus simultaneously screened at FantasticFest and made available nationwide via video-on-demand.

    One of the hits of this year’s Film4 FrightFest. Rumley’s red-hot, hard-edged psycho-sexual thriller RED WHITE & BLUE, which has garnered rave reviews, will be shown in movie theatres across North America from Sept 23, including Austin (Texas), Houston, New York, LA and Philadelphia. At the same time, in a deal brokered by distributor IFC Films in partnership with FantasticFest,  it will also be available in over 40 million homes via VOD on the same day it receives its screening at Fantastic Fest (23 Sept).

    Simon Rumley commented, "FantasticFest's a very important festival for me since it was where my last film The Living and The Dead won its first bunch of awards. Ever since I've have loved Austin - so much so that I went there to shoot Red White & Blue. It was a truly superb experience to be able to continue my relationship with FantasticFest in this way. Moreover, I know that screening the film through IFC, who have championed some of the most exciting films of recent years, will allow it to reach what I hope will be an appreciative and large audience."

    The deal for RED WHITE & BLUE was negotiated by IFC Films SVP of Acquisitions and Productions Arianna Bocco and Travis Stevens of Celluloid Nightmares. 

    RED WHITE & BLUE stars Amanda, Noah Taylor & Marc Senter. Taut and uncompromising, it has already been compared to the works of such disparate filmmakers as Michael Haneke and Sam Peckinpah. The film, which had its world premiere in January 2010 at Rotterdam, was directed by Siom Rumley and produced by Rumley and Bob Portal, and executive produced by Tim League, Judy Lipsey, Doug Abbott, and Adam Goldworm.  It is the first film from Celluloid Nightmares, a new partnership between Paris-based Celluloid Dreams and Los Angeles-based XYZ Films. 





    DEAD CERT PRODUCER BACKS THE CLOSING OF BRITISH FILM COUNCIL

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    Actor and independent film producer Billy Murray has backed Jeremy Hunt’s decision to axe the UK Film Council.

    Murray said: “Finally a little common sense from a government regarding the British film industry. I have never formally applied to the Film Council for funding because their agenda has not been to encourage commercial, international film-making, but rather to foster self-serving movies made by and aimed at the 'chosen few. The government's decision yesterday puts the film industry back on an even keel - as a real and viable business that needs to survive commercial realities, rather than a game for well-connected hobbyists relying on undeserved soft money. I applaud Jeremy Hunt's thinking on this matter and welcome further initiatives to encourage our much-loved, but much-abused, industry to move forward to the success and acclaim it has the potential to achieve.”


     

    Murray is an independent film producer and owns the production company Black and Blue Films. Since 2006 he has produced six commercial feature films, including ‘Rise of the Footsoldier’ and ‘Doghouse’, all of which have received international distribution. Billy's new film as star and producer is the vampires vs gangsters horror thriller ‘Dead Cert’, which premieres at Film4 FrightFest on 26th August

    www.billyamurray.com

    www.blackandbluefilms.com 





    BEHIND THE SCENES OF "THE DEAD": PART TWO

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    The nightmare continues...

    In this exclusive new episode on the set of the Ford Brother’s ‘The Dead’,  Producer/Director Howard J Ford struggles to hold together the shoot in Africa with the added challenges of police corruption, sacrificial killings and the distinct possibility the production itself may have been cursed!

    Howard says ‘It’s hard to explain how tough it was trying to keep the production going and keep spirits up when everything that could have gone wrong does, and everyone around you seems to be either sick or in danger of disease or death – some of the things we had to go through to bring this film to audiences I hope never has to be repeated by any living soul… We truly stared death in the face and it was,sometimes, a very dark and lonely place…’

    View clip below or you can download the file from here:

    https://www.yousendit.com/download/aHlSd0VOWkJVbSt4dnc9PQ



    30 DAYS OF NIGHT FOLLOW UP TO HIT DVD THIS OCTOBER

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    30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS is the follow up to the massive comic book adaptation 30 DAYS OF NIGHT. The film is heading straight to DVD October 11th 2010 starring Harold Perrineau from the TV series LOST. cheack out the trailer below!!

    Exclusive behind the scenes footage from THE DEAD

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    The director of 'THE DEAD', on of the films to be shown at this years Frightfest is giving the fans a special look behind the scenes of the new film.

    "This is the first of 3 episodes of exclusive behind the scenes footage leading up to the world premiere of 'The Dead' at FrightFest in London & hopefully it gives you an insight on what a fucking nightmare it was trying to get even one shot of 'The Dead' in the can out there in Africa, let alone an entire move! I hope you enjoy it safe in your seats as, trust me, you would not have wanted to be there!! Also, the next 2 episodes have even more disgusting situations the crew had to face to get 'The Dead'. on screen so stay tuned and hope to see you all at the premiere". - Howard J Ford, Director of THE DEAD

    Kaboom withdraws from Frightfest but look what has be chosen to take its place!

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    With KABOOM director Gregg Araki  unhappy with its inclusion at frightfest the film has been withdrawn from the festival lineup. However Film Four have not let the fans down.

    Frightfest has been given special permission to screen a film, which was aimed to be shown at the Halloween extavaganza in October early
    Brett Anstey’s DAMNED BY DAWN (released on DVD in the UK Spring 2011) is an australlian Gore fest from Odin's eye Entertainment and concerns a Banshee on the loose and, Film Four tells us, is the nearest thing you’ll see to an EVIL DEAD 4.  DAMNED BY DAWN will be shown 6.30 pm Sunday August 29th.

    AS INDIVIDUAL TICKETS GO ON SALE TODAY FILM4 FRIGHTFEST ANNOUNCES LINE-UP FOR INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM SHOWCASE

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    PROGRAMME – SUNDAY 29 AUGUST, 1pm onwards


    2.22          USA   Dir. Steven Shea   8.30 mins

    A night out with the girls. A hot new club and a hot new guy. For Vickie Palmer, yesterday would be her last day.

    TO MY MOTHER AND FATHER      UK / Turkey   Dir. Can Evrenol   8.45 mins

    When Jimmy is left alone in his house he discovers an old mask and decides to scare his parents upon their arrival home.

    BON APPETIT                                  UK   Dir. Kate Shenton   3.49 mins

    A deliciously dark comedy about food. BON APPETIT provides unappetizing twists to everyday eating.

    RISE OF THE APPLIANCES           UK   Dir. Rob Sprackling   8.56 mins

    Machines rise up and take over the world - but rather than being cool cyborgs, they are household domestic appliances.

    THE END…                                         UK   Dir. Marc Price   4.45 mins

    An out-of-his-depth hero is presented with a deadly choice. Shot primarily as a camera and visual effects test THE END… should feel like part of an action movie climax.

    THROUGH THE NIGHT                   UK   Dir. Lee Cronin   10 mins

    Every night, around the world – couples fall asleep side by side, trusting they know who lies beside them..

    DEAD HUNGRY                                UK   Dir. William Bridges   10 mins

    Life's a bitch and then you die... Then you're a zombie and death's a bitch too!

    SWITCH                                             UK   Dir. Melanie Light   4.28 mins

    A man driving through the snowy countryside decides to pursue a female jogger. Resulting in some interesting consequences.

    PAPA WRESTLING                          Portugal   Dir. Fernando Alle   8.53 mins

    After bullies steal his son's lunchbox, a retired wrestler goes on a violent rampage to avenge him and bring justice to the school.

    NELLY AND LIO                               Canada   Dir. Etienne Langlois   11.09 mins

    Nelly and Lio are in the forest while the radio announces that a dangerous criminal has escaped in the region. Their paths will inevitably intersect..

    RED BALLOON                                UK   Dir. Alexis Wajsbrot and Damien Mace   13 mins

    Several times during the course of the night, Dorothy, the little girl Julie is looking after, behaves oddly, screaming from her bedroom. Each time, Julie puts her back to bed, comforting her by telling her it's just a nightmare... Or is it ?

    LA MADRE                                        Spain   Dir. Alberto Evangelio   6.36 mins

    The Mother never believed that her son’s nightmares could be real.

    HOW I SURVIVED THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE   USA   Dir. Christian Cantamessa 10 mins

    A single mother and her teenage son struggle to survive in a brutal near future where zombies roam the Earth.

    CHOREOMANIA                               UK   Dir. Louis Paxton   9.30 mins

    The story of Hector’s journey into dance hell as the city is overwhelmed by an hysterical body-popping plague.
     

    Film4 FrightFest 2010 runs from Thurs 26 August to Monday 30 August at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square. Tickets for Individual films go on sale from 30 July. Bookings: www.empirecinemas.co.uk   

    posted 31/7/10

    Video Nasties documentry coming soon to DVD

    Keep repeating, it's only a movie.... Christopher Smith & Andy Nyman both feature is first teaser trailer of VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP & VIDEOTAPE Jake West's doc to be screened at Film4 FrightFest and then released as part of VIDEO NASTIES: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE, a 3-disc box set out on Oct 11.

    FILM FOUR'S FRIGHTFEST E-ZINE OUT FRIDAY!

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    FRIGHTFEST E-ZINE KICKS OFF WTH EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH SRDJAN SPASOJEVIC & ELI ROTH

    Going live from the 16th July, FrightFest launches its keenly-anticipated bi-monthly E-zine with an in-depth interview (video & text) with the director of A SERBIAN FILM - possibly the most controversial film of the year. Spasojevic reveals the real reasons he made the film so divisive.

    There are also candid interviews with scare-meister Eli Roth and the GHOST STORIES fear-team Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson.

    Plus there’s plenty more – trailers, podcasts, gossip, reviews and…whatever happened to COLIN director Marc Price?

    Editor Ian Rattray commented: “After celebrating 10 years as the nation’s No.1 Horror & Fantasy festival we felt it was the right time to launch such a venture. I'm very proud of what we’ve all achieved so far. May it long continue”.

    For your free copy (live from Friday) go to:

    http://www.frightfest.co.uk/frightfestezineg.html