Early last month we brought Ulrik Bruchholz's short film Hard Boiled Cop to your attention, primarily because it starred German martial artist Mathis Landwehr. Landwehr has done loads of work in television (Lasko - The Fist of God) and short films (Kingz) back home in Germany, yet remains largely unknown on the international stage, which is a shame. Bruchholz himself is no slouch, having done a fair amount of stunt related work on films like Must Love Death, Cloud Atlas and the upcoming Xyz Films creature feature Stung (plug!). As the story goes, Bruchholz began working on a feature film back in 2008, but after three years production broke down. He took what footage he had and started piecing it together to make the climactic fight in...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/2/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Following previous announcements of their film lineup, the Fantasia International Film Festival has released their full lineup of movies to be shown at the 18th Annual festival, starting July 17.
New additions to the lineup include 2014 Cannes Selection When Animals Dream, directed by Jonas Alexander Amby and the return of Fantasia’s showcase of animated films, Axis.
Tickets for the festival go on sale starting July 16, and the festival runs through August 5.
View the whole press release of additional announcements below:
Fantasia Celebrates Its 18th Birthday
With Over 160 Feature Films Montreal, Thursday July 10, 2014 – 2014 is the year that Fantasia turns 18. We can’t believe it either. Fantasia’s 18th birthday means over 160 features and something in the neighborhood of 300 shorts, many being shown for the first time on this continent, a good number screening here for the first time anywhere in the world.In addition to being stacked with a multitude of breathtaking debut filmmaker discoveries,...
New additions to the lineup include 2014 Cannes Selection When Animals Dream, directed by Jonas Alexander Amby and the return of Fantasia’s showcase of animated films, Axis.
Tickets for the festival go on sale starting July 16, and the festival runs through August 5.
View the whole press release of additional announcements below:
Fantasia Celebrates Its 18th Birthday
With Over 160 Feature Films Montreal, Thursday July 10, 2014 – 2014 is the year that Fantasia turns 18. We can’t believe it either. Fantasia’s 18th birthday means over 160 features and something in the neighborhood of 300 shorts, many being shown for the first time on this continent, a good number screening here for the first time anywhere in the world.In addition to being stacked with a multitude of breathtaking debut filmmaker discoveries,...
- 7/10/2014
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, has just announced the Off-Frontières selections of the fourth edition of its Frontières International Co-Production Market.
Read on for a complete listing of all the titles being pitched at the event!
From the Press Release
Following the selection of the official Frontières line-up of film projects for the Frontières International Co-Production Market, another 12 projects have been chosen for the return of the Off-Frontières selection, for the market’s 4th edition.
The Off-Frontières projects line-up features a predominance of Canadian projects, complemented by projects from American, Mexican, Irish, British, French, German and Australian directors and producers. Highlights include the next features by Dario Argento (Suspiria) and by Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky), as well as follow-up features by Fantasia alumni Rob Grant (Mon Ami), Pat Kiely (Who Is Kk Downey?), Kerry Prior...
Read on for a complete listing of all the titles being pitched at the event!
From the Press Release
Following the selection of the official Frontières line-up of film projects for the Frontières International Co-Production Market, another 12 projects have been chosen for the return of the Off-Frontières selection, for the market’s 4th edition.
The Off-Frontières projects line-up features a predominance of Canadian projects, complemented by projects from American, Mexican, Irish, British, French, German and Australian directors and producers. Highlights include the next features by Dario Argento (Suspiria) and by Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky), as well as follow-up features by Fantasia alumni Rob Grant (Mon Ami), Pat Kiely (Who Is Kk Downey?), Kerry Prior...
- 6/17/2014
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
FRONTIÈRES International Co-Production Market has announced it’s official selection for it’s return to this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival. Frontieres is the first and only co-production market to connect North America and Europe in an environment focused specifically on genre film production. The initiative began in 2012 with 14 projects selected including works by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson (Resolution), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) and Bruce McDonald (Pontypool). This fourth edition will bring together 12 projects hailing from Canada, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, the UK and the United-States.
Frontieres will take place from July 24th to 27th. This group of filmmakers in particular presents a high volume of fresh filmmakers, many of whom will be presenting their debut feature length films. This is rounded off by a handful of internationally known filmmakers.
The official Frontières selection of Frontières @ Fantasia 2014 consists of the following projects:
Dead Noon (Luxembourg)
Director/Writer: Jeff Desom...
Frontieres will take place from July 24th to 27th. This group of filmmakers in particular presents a high volume of fresh filmmakers, many of whom will be presenting their debut feature length films. This is rounded off by a handful of internationally known filmmakers.
The official Frontières selection of Frontières @ Fantasia 2014 consists of the following projects:
Dead Noon (Luxembourg)
Director/Writer: Jeff Desom...
- 5/18/2014
- by Justine Smith
- SoundOnSight
Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, has just announced the official selections of the fourth edition of its Frontières International Co-Production Market.
Read on for a complete listing of all the titles being pitched at the event!
From the Press Release
Montreal, Thursday May 15, 2014 – Just over a month after its first European edition in Brussels, the Frontières International Co-Production Market has selected the official line-up of Frontières projects for its 4th edition.
For its return to Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, from July 24 to 27, 12 Frontières projects have been selected, hailing from Canada, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, the UK and the United-States.
This project selection boasts a higher-than-usual concentration of fresh talents, many of them presenting first feature film projects after many award-winning shorts, or second features following debuts that traveled extensively on the festival circuit.
Read on for a complete listing of all the titles being pitched at the event!
From the Press Release
Montreal, Thursday May 15, 2014 – Just over a month after its first European edition in Brussels, the Frontières International Co-Production Market has selected the official line-up of Frontières projects for its 4th edition.
For its return to Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, from July 24 to 27, 12 Frontières projects have been selected, hailing from Canada, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, the UK and the United-States.
This project selection boasts a higher-than-usual concentration of fresh talents, many of them presenting first feature film projects after many award-winning shorts, or second features following debuts that traveled extensively on the festival circuit.
- 5/15/2014
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
Cinematic tastelessness and I are old friends. Because my sense of humor often enjoys taking a dip in the darker pools of the human condition, most people don’t enjoy the comedies I tend to gravitate towards. Such is the case with Andreas Schaap’s “Must Love Death”, a movie about a suicidal young man’s quest for acceptance. His journey, of course, ultimately leads him directly into the arms of a gang of sadistic killers with a penchant for grisly murder. The trailer for the film reminded me of a little known gem entitled “Murder Party”, a picture that remains one of the most underrated horror/comedies in recent memory. And while I’m not saying that “Must Love Death” is in anyway a rip-off of Jeremy Saulnier’s masterpiece, it does share a few similarities. That’s a good thing. Here’s the skinny on the plot: Disappointed by love,...
- 8/19/2010
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
With a total of 37 features from 21 different countries, this years premier genre fest in Porto Alegre, Brazil is looking mighty fine. What are they playing you ask? Among others:
Amer (review)
Monkey Boy (review)
Psalm 21 (review)
The Life and Death of a Porno Gang (review)
and lots more. You can check out a full list of the feature films playing starting July 2nd after the break and find out more on their official website (if you know Portuguese).
Features
8th Wonderland
Amer
Black
Cold Storage
Dirty Saints
Eraser Children
Glenn, The Flying Robot
I Am Other
I Sell the Dead
Ink
Kandisha
Macabre
Monkey Boy
Mum & Dad
Must Love Death
Psalm 21
Rampage
Recortadas
Samurai Princess
Sleep Dealer
Stingray Sam
Strigoi
T.M.A.
The Ante
The Death of Alice Blue
The Door
The Horseman
The House of the Devil
The Human Centipede
The Life and Death of a Porno Gang...
Amer (review)
Monkey Boy (review)
Psalm 21 (review)
The Life and Death of a Porno Gang (review)
and lots more. You can check out a full list of the feature films playing starting July 2nd after the break and find out more on their official website (if you know Portuguese).
Features
8th Wonderland
Amer
Black
Cold Storage
Dirty Saints
Eraser Children
Glenn, The Flying Robot
I Am Other
I Sell the Dead
Ink
Kandisha
Macabre
Monkey Boy
Mum & Dad
Must Love Death
Psalm 21
Rampage
Recortadas
Samurai Princess
Sleep Dealer
Stingray Sam
Strigoi
T.M.A.
The Ante
The Death of Alice Blue
The Door
The Horseman
The House of the Devil
The Human Centipede
The Life and Death of a Porno Gang...
- 6/14/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Last week, Bad Lit had the exclusive news about the first picks of the 12th annual Boston Underground Film Festival, including Opening Night film Love Exposure (Ai no mukidashi). This week, I have a couple more selections to add to the list, including the Closing Night film.
The Closing Night film is one we’re especially excited about here at Bad Lit. It’s the first feature film from notorious underground filmmakers Helene Cattet and Bruno Forzani called Amer. I’ve reviewed a pair of Cattet and Forzani’s earlier short films, La Fin de Notre Amour and Catharsis, which appeared on DVDs from Montreal’s Cinema Abattoir, the world’s finest purveyor of transgressive filmmaking. Those two short films are a pair of devastatingly brutal and violent — and beautiful — works of art.
Amer is about a young woman with strangely erotic and violent fantasies. The trailer doesn’t give much away,...
The Closing Night film is one we’re especially excited about here at Bad Lit. It’s the first feature film from notorious underground filmmakers Helene Cattet and Bruno Forzani called Amer. I’ve reviewed a pair of Cattet and Forzani’s earlier short films, La Fin de Notre Amour and Catharsis, which appeared on DVDs from Montreal’s Cinema Abattoir, the world’s finest purveyor of transgressive filmmaking. Those two short films are a pair of devastatingly brutal and violent — and beautiful — works of art.
Amer is about a young woman with strangely erotic and violent fantasies. The trailer doesn’t give much away,...
- 2/11/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Cinema Vault is a sales company that shows films in multiple genres. However, this company has a large catalogue of horror and thriller films. One of the highlights from the Cinema Vault horror category is Must Love Death, an Andreas Schaap production. The film takes on the serious subject matter of suicide and transforms the topic into a dark humoured comedy. Schapp's work on Must Love Death is described as "Schaap actually does an impressive job of running Norman's two storylines alongside each other [romance and horror]" (EfilmCritic). Mld will not be available for fans in large capacity for quite some time, as the film is currently being shopped at the European Film Market. Showings at the market begin February 12 at 6:40pm (Cinestar 5). More details on this project are below and hopefully a release date comes soon.
A synopsis for Must Love Death:
"After having his heartbroken one too many times,...
A synopsis for Must Love Death:
"After having his heartbroken one too many times,...
- 2/6/2010
- by Michael Ross Allen
- 28 Days Later Analysis
[Just when you thought the onslaught of Year End lists had come to an end here comes another. We welcome Mitch Davis - head of International Programming at Montreal's Fantasia Festival and a very good friend to this site - with his year end wrap up.]
Ignore the grumpy naysayers who groan that 2009 was a weak year for world cinema. Nothing could be further from the truth. Below are my top 11 picks, personal favourites among favourites (a top 30 list would have been unwieldy!). It bears mentioning that at the time of this writing, I've not yet seen The White Ribbon, Mother, Il Divo, Symbol, Vermillion Souls or Accident, to name but a few. In other words, this list, like all lists, is an incomplete snapshot.
11. In The Loop
If there was a funnier film this year, I must have missed it. Subversive, acerbic and gut-wrenchingly hilarious, like Dr Strangelove meets The Office. Incredible.
10. Drag Me To Hell
Sam Raimi's volume-eleven return to the genre is everything much of us had been hoping for: a grossout EC-comic rollercoaster that combines Grand Guignol horror, loopy wide-eyed humour and extreme physical trauma to make an epic of morbidly...
Ignore the grumpy naysayers who groan that 2009 was a weak year for world cinema. Nothing could be further from the truth. Below are my top 11 picks, personal favourites among favourites (a top 30 list would have been unwieldy!). It bears mentioning that at the time of this writing, I've not yet seen The White Ribbon, Mother, Il Divo, Symbol, Vermillion Souls or Accident, to name but a few. In other words, this list, like all lists, is an incomplete snapshot.
11. In The Loop
If there was a funnier film this year, I must have missed it. Subversive, acerbic and gut-wrenchingly hilarious, like Dr Strangelove meets The Office. Incredible.
10. Drag Me To Hell
Sam Raimi's volume-eleven return to the genre is everything much of us had been hoping for: a grossout EC-comic rollercoaster that combines Grand Guignol horror, loopy wide-eyed humour and extreme physical trauma to make an epic of morbidly...
- 1/4/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Aleady confirmed for the New York Horror Film Festival, Must Love Death will begin showing this Thurs, Nov' 19th at 8:00pm. A comedy film that is also a horror film Must Love Death looks like a lot of fun from the film's first trailer. Check it out for yourself at the Tribeca Cinemas, if you are in the area, and try hard not to laugh!
A short synopsis for Must Love Death here:
"Disappointed by love and suicidal, Norman arranges to meet a group of like-minded people. But when he arrives at the meeting the alleged suicides pact goes very wrong and hilarity and blood start to flow freely (New York).
Director: Andreas Schapp.
Writer: Andreas Schaap.
Cast: Sami Loris, Manon Kahle, Jeff Burrell, Peter Farkas, Philipp Rafferty, and Lucie Pohl.
A full trailer for Must Love Death here:
A few more details can be found for Must Love Death...
A short synopsis for Must Love Death here:
"Disappointed by love and suicidal, Norman arranges to meet a group of like-minded people. But when he arrives at the meeting the alleged suicides pact goes very wrong and hilarity and blood start to flow freely (New York).
Director: Andreas Schapp.
Writer: Andreas Schaap.
Cast: Sami Loris, Manon Kahle, Jeff Burrell, Peter Farkas, Philipp Rafferty, and Lucie Pohl.
A full trailer for Must Love Death here:
A few more details can be found for Must Love Death...
- 11/17/2009
- by Michael Ross Allen
- 28 Days Later Analysis
In addition to The Disturbed ( here ), another Cinemavault title making its American Film Market premiere this year was Must Love Death from writer-director Andreas Schaap. Shot mostly on the East Coast, the horror-comedy stars Sam Loris, Manon Kahle and Jeff Burrell ( Pandorum ). Check out a promo trailer below. Synopsis: After having his heartbroken one too many times, Norman loses hope in finding love and begins to spiral into a serious depression in which his only way out is to kill himself. He soon meets a group of like-minded individuals and sets up a meeting with them in which they will all die together. When the day comes to take his own life, Norman finds that the group isn't suicidal, but instead they are serial killers with plans to torture and execute him on...
- 11/13/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
The 2009 New York Horror Film Festival (November 18 thru 22) at the Tribeca Cinemas in New York City, USA has a great lineup of shorts and features directed and produced by women this year. The creepy spin on the Van Helsing tale Abraham's Boys (Dorothy Street), dark fairy-tale White Radishes (Christina Won), Together (Gigi Romero), award-winning short Death in Charge (Devi Snively) and claymation feminist horror short Barbee Butcher (Sophie Lagues) all follow feature film The Shadow Within by Silvana Zancolo.
Horror produced by women at the fest includes The Familiar (Jennifer Snick), Must Love Death (Anna Wendt), and Sweatshop (Katherine Banks, Kristi Boul and Laura Bryan.)...
Horror produced by women at the fest includes The Familiar (Jennifer Snick), Must Love Death (Anna Wendt), and Sweatshop (Katherine Banks, Kristi Boul and Laura Bryan.)...
- 11/6/2009
- by Superheidi
- Planet Fury
The Nychff is taking place this November in the Big Apple, and not only are they showcasing a solid horror line-up, they're also presenting a lifetime achievement award to one of our own.
The festival’s 2009 feature film presentations are:
Must Love Death (Feature / Horror / Comedy) / Directed by Andreas Schaap
Disappointed by love and suicidal, Norman arranges to meet a group of like-minded people. But when he arrives at the meeting, the alleged suicides go very wrong, and hilarity and blood start to flow freely.
Sweatshop (Feature / Horror) / Directed by Stacy Davidson
A group of rave promoters decide to throw a party in an enormous vacant factory... But when the oversexed friends throw back a few drinks and begin setting up, they soon realize a beastly all-seeing presence resides in this enormous place, and it drags a mammoth, inhuman weapon that serves only one purpose: to end the lives of anyone who trespasses here.
The festival’s 2009 feature film presentations are:
Must Love Death (Feature / Horror / Comedy) / Directed by Andreas Schaap
Disappointed by love and suicidal, Norman arranges to meet a group of like-minded people. But when he arrives at the meeting, the alleged suicides go very wrong, and hilarity and blood start to flow freely.
Sweatshop (Feature / Horror) / Directed by Stacy Davidson
A group of rave promoters decide to throw a party in an enormous vacant factory... But when the oversexed friends throw back a few drinks and begin setting up, they soon realize a beastly all-seeing presence resides in this enormous place, and it drags a mammoth, inhuman weapon that serves only one purpose: to end the lives of anyone who trespasses here.
- 11/6/2009
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
The 2009 New York City Horror Film Festival (Nychff) today announced their 2009 feature film lineup that includes over fifty feature & short horror and sci-fi films not just from New York or The United States, but from numerous countries around the world that rang in subject matter from terrifying, to gory, and to hilarious. "This year we received more entries than ever before and are thrilled by the high caliber of excellent films submitted for consideration to this year.s festival," said Michael Hein, founder of The New York City Horror Film Festival. "The 2009 Nychff will prove to be one of the best years for the festival, as well as for film aficionados and horror fans." The festival.s 2009 feature film presentations are: Must Love Death...
- 11/6/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
The organizers of the New York City Horror Film Festival have announced the movies they’re presenting in the 2009 edition. The fest runs Thursday-Sunday, November 19-22 at the Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick Street at Canal Street), with an opening-night party Wednesday the 18th at 8 p.m. at Blvd (199 Bowery near Spring Street).
The lineup of features includes:
• Blood Night: The Legend Of Mary Hatchet, Frank Sabatella’s urban legend-inspired teen-terror feature co-starring Bill Moseley and Danielle Harris
• Cornered!, directed by Daniel Maze, in which a group of poker-playing buddies are trapped and slaughtered in a convenience store by a masked slasher
• Maidenhead, from writer/director James Spanos, starring The House Of The Devil’s A.J. Bowen as a young man dealing with a new love and a very bad dad (Michael Parks)
• Must Love Death, a black-comic shocker about a suicidal man embroiled with homicidal maniacs, shot in English...
The lineup of features includes:
• Blood Night: The Legend Of Mary Hatchet, Frank Sabatella’s urban legend-inspired teen-terror feature co-starring Bill Moseley and Danielle Harris
• Cornered!, directed by Daniel Maze, in which a group of poker-playing buddies are trapped and slaughtered in a convenience store by a masked slasher
• Maidenhead, from writer/director James Spanos, starring The House Of The Devil’s A.J. Bowen as a young man dealing with a new love and a very bad dad (Michael Parks)
• Must Love Death, a black-comic shocker about a suicidal man embroiled with homicidal maniacs, shot in English...
- 11/6/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
It's time again for the NYC Horror Film Festival which runs from November 18-22 and will be held at the Tribeca Cinemas located at 54 Varick St and Canal St. What's playing you ask?
The Aj Bowen (The Signal) starrer which looks like a sweet arthouse vampire flick called Maidenhead. (trailer) This seems to have disappeared shortly after it's announcement over a year ago, so I'm glad it's getting some play!
Another gem is the weird horror comedy Must Love Death (review) which I'm still dying to see.
and much more! Check the full list after the break and head to the official website for the schedule, a list of shorts, and to buy tickets!
Cornered (Feature / Horror)
Directed by Daniel Maze
A serial killer is stalking the gritty streets of Los Angeles. It’s all over the news, but that doesn’t stop the crew at a local convenience store from their weekly poker game.
The Aj Bowen (The Signal) starrer which looks like a sweet arthouse vampire flick called Maidenhead. (trailer) This seems to have disappeared shortly after it's announcement over a year ago, so I'm glad it's getting some play!
Another gem is the weird horror comedy Must Love Death (review) which I'm still dying to see.
and much more! Check the full list after the break and head to the official website for the schedule, a list of shorts, and to buy tickets!
Cornered (Feature / Horror)
Directed by Daniel Maze
A serial killer is stalking the gritty streets of Los Angeles. It’s all over the news, but that doesn’t stop the crew at a local convenience store from their weekly poker game.
- 11/5/2009
- QuietEarth.us
For those of you in the La area, the 13th annual Hollywood Film Festival kicks off Oct. 23 and continues through the weekend with some promising horror programs at 9pm each evening.
First up on Friday is the Interplanetary (accompanied by short Attackazoids), a B-movie romp across the surface of Mars from Birmingham film-maker Chance Shirley, who shot on old-school 16mm “like it was still 1983”. Originally pitched as “Alien meets Office Space”, this is Shirley’s follow-up to 2004’s zombie comedy, Hide and Creep. Saturday’s line up is all about the walking dead and includes Spanish chaos-in-a-mall short, Zombies and Cigarettes, followed by zombie/serial-killer hybrid Die-ner.
Tightly constructed around strong performances, Die-ner ponders the existential dilemma of a sociopath stuck in – obviously – a diner, facing an onslaught from his recently deceased victims. If you prefer bloodsuckers on a Saturday night, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead is a dark comedy...
First up on Friday is the Interplanetary (accompanied by short Attackazoids), a B-movie romp across the surface of Mars from Birmingham film-maker Chance Shirley, who shot on old-school 16mm “like it was still 1983”. Originally pitched as “Alien meets Office Space”, this is Shirley’s follow-up to 2004’s zombie comedy, Hide and Creep. Saturday’s line up is all about the walking dead and includes Spanish chaos-in-a-mall short, Zombies and Cigarettes, followed by zombie/serial-killer hybrid Die-ner.
Tightly constructed around strong performances, Die-ner ponders the existential dilemma of a sociopath stuck in – obviously – a diner, facing an onslaught from his recently deceased victims. If you prefer bloodsuckers on a Saturday night, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead is a dark comedy...
- 10/23/2009
- by Tristan Sinns
- Planet Fury
GrimmUpNorth is Manchester's premier, horror film festival, running from October 29th - November 1st and including the world premier of 'The Reeds' and screening of 'The Descent 2', with Q&A from cast and director. The festival will be taking place in Manchester's Printworks and Odeon Cinema.
Gerard Johnson's Tony, a film we all love here at Qe, will be playing. We highly reccomend it. Review here.
A full line-up can be found at the festival website, but other notable screenings include Faye Jackson's Romanian vampire film 'Strigoi' and a special screening of Hellraiser, including a chance to meet the 'Cenobites' themselves; Doug Bradley (aka Pin Head), Nicholas Vince (Chatterer) and Simon Bamford (Butterball) on the Friday.
Here's a list of films that will be screened over the weekend:
Thursday 29th
Decsent 2 + Tras Visillos (Short)
Friday 30th & Saturday 31st:
Gnaw
Tony + Excision (Short...
Gerard Johnson's Tony, a film we all love here at Qe, will be playing. We highly reccomend it. Review here.
A full line-up can be found at the festival website, but other notable screenings include Faye Jackson's Romanian vampire film 'Strigoi' and a special screening of Hellraiser, including a chance to meet the 'Cenobites' themselves; Doug Bradley (aka Pin Head), Nicholas Vince (Chatterer) and Simon Bamford (Butterball) on the Friday.
Here's a list of films that will be screened over the weekend:
Thursday 29th
Decsent 2 + Tras Visillos (Short)
Friday 30th & Saturday 31st:
Gnaw
Tony + Excision (Short...
- 10/13/2009
- QuietEarth.us
Norman’s getting over a difficult relationship breakup when he meets Jennifer, actually she meets him - with her car - and falls in love all over again. But due to an unfortunate misunderstanding he leaves the city heartbroken and runs to the country to join three other people in a joint suicide. Thing is, the others aren’t really planning to kill themselves. They just like to watch. And film. And torture. Now they just have to wait for Norman to die, ideally without interruptions.
- 8/20/2009
- by Andrew Mack
- Screen Anarchy
If you've ever been to Montreal's Fantasia Film Festival, then you know that Mitch Davis is a legend. As Co-Director of both the festival and International Programming, he can usually be found howling into a microphone as he introduces his favorite films to the adoring audience.
He may be the front man, but Mitch asked if we'd make sure to acknowledge the other programmers, all of whom contribute to make Fantasia the greatest genre festival in North America. So thanks not only to Mitch but also to Tony Timpone, Todd Brown, Simon Laperriere, Isabelle Gauvreau, Nicolas Archambault, King-Wei Chu, and Mijeong Lee. You stole our sleep and sanity for three weeks, but we love you for it!
Now that the festival's over and life is back to normal, we asked Mitch to wrap up this year's Fantasia coverage:
Mitch, congrats on surviving another year of Fantasia. Were there any unlucky...
He may be the front man, but Mitch asked if we'd make sure to acknowledge the other programmers, all of whom contribute to make Fantasia the greatest genre festival in North America. So thanks not only to Mitch but also to Tony Timpone, Todd Brown, Simon Laperriere, Isabelle Gauvreau, Nicolas Archambault, King-Wei Chu, and Mijeong Lee. You stole our sleep and sanity for three weeks, but we love you for it!
Now that the festival's over and life is back to normal, we asked Mitch to wrap up this year's Fantasia coverage:
Mitch, congrats on surviving another year of Fantasia. Were there any unlucky...
- 8/12/2009
- by EvilAndy
- DreadCentral.com
If you've ever been to Montreal Fantasia Film Festival, then you know that Mitch Davis is a legend. As both Co-Director of the festival, and of International Programming, you can usually find him howling into a microphone as he introduces his favorite films to the adoring audience. He may be the front man, but Mitch asked if we'd make sure to acknowledge the other programmers, all of whom contribute to make Fantasia the greatest genre festival in North America. So, thanks not only to Mitch, but also to Tony Timpone, Todd Brown, Simon Laperriere, Isabelle Gauvreau, Nicolas Archambault, King-Wei Chu and Mijeong Lee. You stole our sleep and sanity for three weeks, but we love you for it!
Now that the festival's over, and life is back to normal, we asked Mitch to wrap up this year's Fantasia coverage:
Mitch, congrats on surviving another year of Fantasia. Were there any...
Now that the festival's over, and life is back to normal, we asked Mitch to wrap up this year's Fantasia coverage:
Mitch, congrats on surviving another year of Fantasia. Were there any...
- 8/12/2009
- by EvilAndy
- DreadCentral.com
The 2009 edition of Montreal’s Fantasia Festival has announced their complete list of Audience Awards winners, a list that includes a whole lot of Twitch faves and more than a few films that will soon be screening here in Toronto as part of Toronto After Dark. Here’s the complete list.
Best Asian Film
Gold: Love Exposure (Japan) – Sion Sono
Silver: IP Man (Hong Kong) – Wilson Yip
Bronze: Thirst (South Korea) – Park Chan-wook
Best International Film
Gold: 8th Wonderland (France) – Nicolas Alberny, Jean Mach
Silver: Ex-aequo
Embodiment Of Evil (Brazil) – Jose Mojica Marins
Must Love Death (Germany) – Andreas Schaap
Bronze: Black (France) – Pierre Laffargue
Best Quebec Film
Gold: Sans Dessein – Caroline Labrèche, Steeve Léonard
Silver: The Ante – Max Perrier
Bronze: Crawler – Sv Bell
Best Animated Film
Hells (Japan) – Yoshiki Yamakawa
Guru Prize for Most Energetic Film of the Festival
Gold: Yatterman (Japan) – Takashi Miike
Silver: IP Man (Hk) – Wilson Yip...
Best Asian Film
Gold: Love Exposure (Japan) – Sion Sono
Silver: IP Man (Hong Kong) – Wilson Yip
Bronze: Thirst (South Korea) – Park Chan-wook
Best International Film
Gold: 8th Wonderland (France) – Nicolas Alberny, Jean Mach
Silver: Ex-aequo
Embodiment Of Evil (Brazil) – Jose Mojica Marins
Must Love Death (Germany) – Andreas Schaap
Bronze: Black (France) – Pierre Laffargue
Best Quebec Film
Gold: Sans Dessein – Caroline Labrèche, Steeve Léonard
Silver: The Ante – Max Perrier
Bronze: Crawler – Sv Bell
Best Animated Film
Hells (Japan) – Yoshiki Yamakawa
Guru Prize for Most Energetic Film of the Festival
Gold: Yatterman (Japan) – Takashi Miike
Silver: IP Man (Hk) – Wilson Yip...
- 8/3/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
The 13th edition of Montreal’s Fantasia film festival wrapped up its frighteningly successful run this week, with movie highlights aplenty and 40 percent of the screenings selling out. Now the jury and the public have spoken on their favorites, and the fest has revealed their award winners in all categories. Check ’em out below!
Jury Prizes: Feature Films
Best Feature Film: Breathless (Yang Ik-june) Jury Special Prize: Love Exposure (Sion Sono) Best Male Performance: Yang Ik-Jun, Breathless Best Female Performance: Hikari Mitsushima, Love Exposure Best Director: David Russo, The Immaculate Conception Of Little Dizzle Best Screenplay: Nicolas Alberny and Jean Mach, 8th Wonderland Best Cinematography: Hideho Urata, The Clone Returns Home Technical Prize: IP Man Special Mention for Best Direction of Child Actors: Tom Shankland, The Children
Jury Prizes: First Features
Best First Feature: White Lightnin’ (Dominic Murphy) Special Mention: Debut performance of actress Eline Kuppins, Left Bank Jury Prizes:...
Jury Prizes: Feature Films
Best Feature Film: Breathless (Yang Ik-june) Jury Special Prize: Love Exposure (Sion Sono) Best Male Performance: Yang Ik-Jun, Breathless Best Female Performance: Hikari Mitsushima, Love Exposure Best Director: David Russo, The Immaculate Conception Of Little Dizzle Best Screenplay: Nicolas Alberny and Jean Mach, 8th Wonderland Best Cinematography: Hideho Urata, The Clone Returns Home Technical Prize: IP Man Special Mention for Best Direction of Child Actors: Tom Shankland, The Children
Jury Prizes: First Features
Best First Feature: White Lightnin’ (Dominic Murphy) Special Mention: Debut performance of actress Eline Kuppins, Left Bank Jury Prizes:...
- 7/31/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Black Dynamite has been officially announced as the opening gala film at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. Directed by Scott Sanders the film stars Michael Jai White and is shot in the style of a blaxploitation film of the 1970's. Inspired mostly by such films as Shaft, Dolemite and Superfly it was a Sundance sensation immediately picking up distribution from Sony Pcitures at a cost of two million dollars. Set in the 1970s, the film tells the story of Black Dynamite. The action legend attempts to take down his arch nemesis "The Man," who is responsible for the murder of his brother and for getting kids in local orphanages addicted to heroin and malt liquor. Black Dynamite is the one person who will fight from the city streets to "Honky House" in order to get justice for the oppressed. Official Site: Black Dynamite [1] Here is the complete schedule for this year's film fest.
- 7/31/2009
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Having just had it's premier at Fantasia, Must Love Death looks.. well, weird. From director Andreas Schaap.
Disappointed by love, suicidal Norman arranges to meet some like-minded people. But when he arrives at the meeting the alleged suicides turn out to be unscrupulous killers looking for a willing victim. A comical and macabre fight against death begins...
Trailer after the break.
Embedded video stripped, see full HTML version.
Disappointed by love, suicidal Norman arranges to meet some like-minded people. But when he arrives at the meeting the alleged suicides turn out to be unscrupulous killers looking for a willing victim. A comical and macabre fight against death begins...
Trailer after the break.
Embedded video stripped, see full HTML version.
- 7/23/2009
- QuietEarth.us
I've now seen Andreas Schaap's certifiably insane Must Love Death two full times ... and I'm still not completely sure what to make of it. My first reaction to the crazy German import was this; "Now I know what a Saw sequel directed by Joe Dante would look like." But I had to spin it one more time in preparation for this review, and now I say this; 'Must Love Death is (I think) a spot-on and rather trenchant satire of two distinctly Americanized sub-genres: the wimpy romantic comedy ... and the hardcore torture horror flick'. And get this: Both halves work! Poor Norman (Sami Loris) is having a rotten week. He hates his job, he has no real friends, and he's nursing a massive heartbreak. So...
- 7/17/2009
- FEARnet
Must Love Death Directed by Andreas Schaap *** The first feature by director Andreas Schaap has had made some big impressions amongst Fantasia movie-goers. Clearly one of the more surprising and original films of the festival, it blends two seemingly opposite genres, the romantic comedy and extreme horror. These are the horror films one expects to see at the festival. Simultaneously good-natured and mean spirited, the film boasts some excellent and professional production values considering its film school origins. A brave, unapologetic and truly independent achievement. The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle Directed by David Russo **** A strange and oddly charming film which openly refers to itself as toilet humor but also toilet tragedy, toilet inspiration, etc. You can call it an acid-vision experimental art house feature or a zany pseudo-subversive gender farce or you can simply sum it up as brilliant. It's a moving exploration of gender while touching on topics like commitment,...
- 7/14/2009
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
- A theme at this year's Fantasia Film Festival is "Flirting With Chaos", or 'the anti-romantic comedy'. Must Love Death, which had its world premiere at the fest, fits nicely into this mold as German writer/director Andreas Schaap delivers a first feature film that's kind of like a twisted date movie that both parties can enjoy. The story follows the hapless Norman (Sami Loris), as he depressingly moves through life until he is hit by the car of the beautiful young Jennifer (Manon Kahle), who's got some troubles of her own. The two hit it off and spark up a nice relationship until a misunderstanding with Jennifer's boorish on-off boyfriend (Philipp Rafferty) is the last straw in a series of events leading Norman to some dark thoughts. Norman answers an add for a group where four strangers agree to commit suicide together, but it takes a turn for the
- 7/14/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
[Our thanks to Matthew Grinshpun for the following review.]
Norman (Sami Loris) is a loser. His romantic life is an unremitting parade of catastrophes, his dreams of songwriting glory are hopelessly distant, and he is haunted by a nagging wish to turn his handgun on himself. He is about to do just that when Jennifer (Manon Kahle), a perky blonde waitress stuck in her own particularly dire straits, comes careening into his life. Actually, she runs over him with her car.
Norman (Sami Loris) is a loser. His romantic life is an unremitting parade of catastrophes, his dreams of songwriting glory are hopelessly distant, and he is haunted by a nagging wish to turn his handgun on himself. He is about to do just that when Jennifer (Manon Kahle), a perky blonde waitress stuck in her own particularly dire straits, comes careening into his life. Actually, she runs over him with her car.
- 7/12/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
It’s been an insomnia inducing start to Fantasia’s thirteenth year. The opening night screenings had no noteworthy horror entries, so Paul and I spent the evening reconnecting with festival regulars, watched some non-genre movies, and plotted the next three weeks of cinematic mayhem. On Friday, after a rest-free three hours of sleep, we soldiered through a painful midnight screening, and are already feeling delirious, just two days in. This is going to be our sixth year covering the fest, and frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
First, a little bit of bookkeeping. In addition to this blog, you can also follow us on Twitter, under @dreadfantasia. Also, if our under slept ramblings don’t satisfy your taste for intelligent movie writing, we recommend you check out Kier-La Janisse’s official Fantasia blog. She’s also doing “whatever the verb of twitter is, and I refuse...
First, a little bit of bookkeeping. In addition to this blog, you can also follow us on Twitter, under @dreadfantasia. Also, if our under slept ramblings don’t satisfy your taste for intelligent movie writing, we recommend you check out Kier-La Janisse’s official Fantasia blog. She’s also doing “whatever the verb of twitter is, and I refuse...
- 7/11/2009
- by EvilAndy
- DreadCentral.com
[Given what I’m hearing of the response to Andreas Schaap’s Must Love Death at Fantasia, I’m expecting to see some contrasting reviews to this one in the near future but here’s Olivier D’Amour with our first look at the German horror-comedy.]
Montreal held the world premiere of Andreas Schaap’s Must Love Death, which is quite a good fit for the Fantasia audience. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it at all. Not one bit. It wants to be some sort of romantic comedy/torture horror hybrid, but ends up not doing justice to either genre. A sensitive musician/songwriter unlucky in love (groan) makes a suicide pact with some strangers in a cabin in the woods but soon realizes there’s a change of plan. Then blood starts flowing. There’s also this woman he’s in love with but honestly, she doesn’t do much throughout the movie.
Montreal held the world premiere of Andreas Schaap’s Must Love Death, which is quite a good fit for the Fantasia audience. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it at all. Not one bit. It wants to be some sort of romantic comedy/torture horror hybrid, but ends up not doing justice to either genre. A sensitive musician/songwriter unlucky in love (groan) makes a suicide pact with some strangers in a cabin in the woods but soon realizes there’s a change of plan. Then blood starts flowing. There’s also this woman he’s in love with but honestly, she doesn’t do much throughout the movie.
- 7/11/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
Fantasia Film Festival 2009 - World Premiere Must Love Death Directed by Andreas Schaap Offhand, it's difficult to think of another film that features both a "meet cute" and a nail gun, but in his first feature, Andreas Schaap manages to unite the two. Must Love Death, for better or worse, belongs to a genre of one: the torture porn romantic comedy. It also serves as an outsider's view of American pop culture, being as it is directed and written by a German (with a mostly-German cast and crew) - it's the surrealist Dancer in the Dark, if you will. (To be fair, though, Schaap doesn't seem to share Von Trier's deathly fear of flight, as most of the film was actually shot in New York.) After a raunchy opening scene lets us know we're in for a bumpy ride, the film's first 45 minutes alternate between the most banal romcom imaginable - a sadsack musician,...
- 7/9/2009
- by Simon
- SoundOnSight
Fantasia Festival is North America [1]'s premiere (and largest) genre [2] film [3] festival [4]. It is also my favorite film festival and so I could not wait to share the highlights of this years line up. Here is a sneak peek at what we will be reviewing in the upcoming week of our podcast. Crush And Blush - Canadian Premiere South Korea Dir: Lee Kyoung-mi For her first feature, director Lee Kyoung-mi had some high-calibre assistance. Park Chan-wook produced, co-wrote and appears briefly in the film, as does Bong Joon-ho, director of The Host. This vaudevillian comedy doused in dark humour follows an unpopular woman who deviously schemes to seduce a colleague and keep him away from his mistress. Hong Hyo-jin seems born to play the fascinating and hard-to-follow Me-sook, an unforgettable, engaging and well-developed character. Love Exposure - Canadian Premiere Japan Dir: Sion Sono Prepare to witness miracles because Sion Sono (Suicide Club,...
- 7/1/2009
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Ok, so I'm lazy.. I copy and pasted the press release, which is after the break, and we have reviews of quite a few of the films playing, including White Lightnin', Left Bank, Blood River, Cryptic, Deadgirl, The Horsemen, I Sell the Dead.. with Kaifeck Murder coming soon (once I can figure out what to write).
Movies I'm really interested in seeing: French Pa flick Mutants, Smash Cut, Possibility of an Island, Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, and Thirst.
But alas, I won't be there. Instead, a friend of ours will be providing some reviews for the week he is there, so everyone give a big thanks to DirtyRobot! Woop!
Check out the film greatness after the break! Oh, and there's more to come...
The past 12 months have been a treasure trove for sharp, individualistic visions of the unusual. Keep your hands on the bars as we give you a...
Movies I'm really interested in seeing: French Pa flick Mutants, Smash Cut, Possibility of an Island, Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, and Thirst.
But alas, I won't be there. Instead, a friend of ours will be providing some reviews for the week he is there, so everyone give a big thanks to DirtyRobot! Woop!
Check out the film greatness after the break! Oh, and there's more to come...
The past 12 months have been a treasure trove for sharp, individualistic visions of the unusual. Keep your hands on the bars as we give you a...
- 6/30/2009
- QuietEarth.us
While we wait for the schedule for Fantasia 2009 to be finalized, we did receive a couple of press release announcing the fest's line-up, and per usual, those of you who are planning to attend are in for one helluva genre extravaganza.
First up is a bit of news about the fest's extended schedule: Due to a veritable deluge of feature presentations, Fantasia is extending its 13th edition for two extra days and will therefore be taking place from July 9th to the 29th at Concordia University’s Hall Theatre. As North America’s largest genre film festival, Fantasia will once again make good on its promise to deliver diversity, innovation, entertainment, food for thought and a good dose of eccentric and biting humour.
Next is a message from Fantasia's Co-Director of International Programming, Mitch Davis, highlighting some of this year’s spotlights:
2009 marks the 100-year anniversary of Hong Kong’s film industry,...
First up is a bit of news about the fest's extended schedule: Due to a veritable deluge of feature presentations, Fantasia is extending its 13th edition for two extra days and will therefore be taking place from July 9th to the 29th at Concordia University’s Hall Theatre. As North America’s largest genre film festival, Fantasia will once again make good on its promise to deliver diversity, innovation, entertainment, food for thought and a good dose of eccentric and biting humour.
Next is a message from Fantasia's Co-Director of International Programming, Mitch Davis, highlighting some of this year’s spotlights:
2009 marks the 100-year anniversary of Hong Kong’s film industry,...
- 6/30/2009
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
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