‘AZI’ (Sundance 2025 short) Palpable tension and one hell of a tease.

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AZI

Azi_poster2024

Montana Mann‘s Sundance 2025 short film AZI is an intriguing cat-and-mouse game of power. A weekend trip away takes an odd but intriguing turn when a challenge presents itself. Seemingly harmless fun turns into something (perhaps) more sinister in a matter of hours.

Azi still 1The dynamic between 17-year-old Azi and her best friend’s father’s new girlfriend moves from passive-aggressive to outright challenge. You can cut the tension with a knife. Mann delivers enough longing looks between Wool and Goodjohn to wager guesses about each woman’s motivation. You’re dying to know what happens next once the screen goes black.

Breeda Wool has a talent for choosing juicy roles in indie films. Any cinephile of the genre knows her work, and her turn as Elizabeth is no exception. Wool brings an aura that is generally unexplainable other than to say you feel compelled to watch her. Dior Goodjohn is utterly captivating in the titular role. Where has she been all my life? Her ability to match Wool’s energy and presence should make heads turn. They make a dazzling pair.

Azi-Still_2Thankfully, a feature-length version of AZI is already in the works. Sundance 2025 audiences are in for one hell of a tease. These are guaranteed seats in butts whenever production is complete. Count me very much in.


Remaining Screening of AZI:

Jan 31, 1:10 PM  MST
Screening

Megaplex Redstone – 2

Park City

Jan 30, 10:00 AM  EST –
Feb 3, 6:55 AM  EST
Online Screening

Inspired by director and writer Montana Mann’s own coming-of-age experience, AZI tells the intimate and timely story of a Persian-American teenager contending with her identity and sexuality. The short follows seventeen-year-old Azi (Dior Negeen Goodjohn) on a weekend away with her best friend’s family, where she unexpectedly forms a mysterious and electric connection with another woman on the trip, Elizabeth (Breeda Wool), resulting in a psychological game that raises complex questions about their motives, power dynamics and the ability to take control of one’s own agency.


Montana Mann is a Persian-American award-winning writer/director from Virginia. Her most recent narrative short film, AZI, world premiered at Palm Springs International Shortfest, and won the SAGindie Award at HollyShorts. The feature adaptation of the same short participated in the 2024 Film Independent Fast Track program. As part of the MENA/SWANA diaspora, her work explores the journey of finding one’s identity as a female living between two cultures.

Producer Steven Snyder is an independent producer who most recently worked with Jim Burke at his company, Innisfree Pictures. There, he worked on the production of Green Book, which won three Academy Awards including the Oscar for Best Picture. He is an executive producer on Dreamin’ Wild, which world premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and was released through Roadside Attractions. He is a 2024 Film Independent Fellow and was selected to participate in Inside Out’s International Finance Forum promoting queer creatives.

 

Sundance 2025 banner logoFor more Sundance coverage, click here!

 

Sundance 2025 arrives to kick off this year’s festival season. 8 films we are excited for.

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The Sundance Film Festival has launched the careers of indie film directors, writers, and actors for 41 years now. Back with in-person and online screening opportunities, this year’s iteration boasts new and bold storytelling from every genre. Here are a handful of films we’ll track in 2025.

 

For all the info on this year’s festival, click here!

 
TOUCH ME 
 
Touch Me Sundance
Written and directed by Addison Heimann (Hypochondriac), the TOUCH ME stars Olivia Taylor Dudley (Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension), Lou Taylor Pucci (A-X-L), Jordan Gavaris (“Hacks”), Marlene Forte (Knive’s Out) and Paget Brewster (“Criminal Minds”).
 
In TOUCH MEafter a series of unfortunate events leaves their house uninhabitable and reeking of poo, two co-dependent friends, Joey and Craig, find themselves homeless and out of options. That’s when Joey’s mysterious ex resurfaces. He wants her back. Along with being hot, Brian also happens to be an alien whose touch makes anxiety and depression disappear. The two venture to his compound for the weekend with the hope of being healed from past traumas, but underneath Brian’s veneer of healing is a sinister plot filled with murder, mayhem, and blood. TOUCH ME is an psychosexual horror-comedy about the nature of co-dependent friendships and how far we are willing to go for a slice of happiness.
 

Director: Addison Heimann

Screenwriter: Addison Heimann

Producers: John Humber, David Lawson Jr., Addison Heimann

Principal Cast: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte, Paget Brewster

Addison heimann SundanceAddison Heimann is a queer genre filmmaker currently residing in Los Angeles. His first feature, Hypochondriac, premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival and was distributed by XYZ Films. His goal is to tell queer stories that explore mental health in the genre space.

 

 

 

 


ANDRE IS AN IDIOT 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675333aa68b8b73e67fe584a

Andre_is_an_Idiot-Still

 Andre, a brilliant idiot, is dying because he didn’t get a colonoscopy. His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor.

Produced by A24 Films

Director: Tony Benna

Production Companies: A24 Films, Sandbox Films, Safehouse Pictures

Producers: André Ricciardi, Tory Tunnell, Joshua Altman, Stelio Kitrilakis, Ben Cotner

tony benna

Tony Benna has developed and directed within a variety of platforms, creating award-winning work with multiple mediums, including film, advertising, post-production, and broadcast. With strong roots in stop-motion animation techniques, he is focused on pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

 

 

 

 


LIFE AFTER

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675332e268b8b704ebfe55ad

life after Sundance

 In 1983, a disabled Californian woman named Elizabeth Bouvia sought the “right to die,” igniting a national debate about autonomy, dignity, and the value of disabled lives. After years of courtroom trials, Bouvia disappeared from public view. Disabled director Reid Davenport narrates this investigation of what happened to Bouvia.

Co-funded through ITVS Open Call and will premiere on Independent Lens


MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675315ab68b8b7b799fe264a

Mr_Nobody_Against_Putin

Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pasha Talankin, this uniquely collaborative film is as captivating and joyful as it is eye-opening and sobering. Mr. Nobody Against Putin showcases rare footage that reveals the profound impact of Putin’s regime on the lives of everyday Russians, particularly its children.

Director: David Borenstein

Co-Director: Pavel Talankin

Screenwriter: David Borenstein

Producer: Helle Faber

David borenstein


David Borenstein has worked in the documentary industry on three different continents. He has produced and directed TV for BBC, PBS, ARTE, Al Jazeera, DR, Vice, and many more international broadcasters. Borenstein directed Can’t Feel Nothing (2024), Love Factory (2021), and Dream Empire (2016).

 

 

 


SUNFISH & OTHER STORIES ON GREEN LAKE 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/67531ef268b8b7d56dfe338e

SUNFISH & OTHER STORIES ON GREEN LAKE 

Lives intertwine around Green Lake. A girl learns to sail, a boy fights for first chair, two sisters operate a bed-and-breakfast, and a fisherman is after the catch of his life. An anthology following the residents of a small town and the lake that binds them together.

Director: Sierra Falconer

Screenwriter: Sierra Falconer

Producers: Grant Ellison, Sierra Falconer

sierra falconer Sundance

Sierra Falconer is a Michigan-raised, Los Angeles–based screenwriter and film director. She holds a BFA in film theory from Wesleyan University and an MFA in film directing from UCLA. Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake) is Falconer’s feature directorial debut.
 
 
 
 
 

 


ATROPIA
Atropia-Still_1 Sundance
When an aspiring actress in a military role-playing facility falls in love with a soldier cast as an insurgent, their unsimulated emotions threaten to derail the performance.
 

Hailey Gates Sundance

Hailey Gates is a filmmaker and journalist based in New York. She received her BFA from NYU in experimental theater. Her award-winning short film Shako Mako premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. As an actress, Gates has appeared in Twin Peaks: The Return, Uncut Gems, and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THE VIRGIN OF THE QUARRY LAKE
virgin of quarry lake Sundance
In 2001, three teenagers from the outskirts of Buenos Aires all fall in love with Diego. Natalia has always had the most chemistry with him, but when it seems inevitable that their friendship will turn into something more, the older and more experienced Silvia appears and soon captures Diego’s attention.

Director: Laura Casabé

Screenwriter: Benjamin Naishtat

Principal Cast: Dolores Oliverio, Luisa Merelas, Fernanda Echevarría, Dady Brieva, Agustín Sosa

Laura Casabé

Laura Casabé is a genre director. Her 2016 debut, La Valija de Benavidez, received seven international awards. Los que vuelven premiered at the 2019 International Film Festival Rotterdam, won multiple awards at the Mar del Plata International Film Festival, and won Best Director at the 2020 Sitges Film Festival.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

BUBBLE & SQUEAK
bubble and squeak Sundance
Accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where cabbages are banned, Declan and Delores must confront the fragility of their new marriage while on the run for their lives.

Super clone watches are the perfect blend of style, affordability, and precision, offering everyone a chance to enjoy luxury without the cost.

 

Director(s): Evan Twohy

Screenwriter: Evan Twohy

Producers: Christina Oh, Steven Yeun

Principal Cast: Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Steven Yeun, Dave Franco, Matt Berry

Evan Twohy SundanceEvan Twohy was raised on Hitchcock and opera on the edge of a forest outside Berkeley, California. From an early age, he found himself drawn to absurdist theater and began writing plays in New York City prior to making his first feature, Bubble & Squeak.


For more Sundance coverage, click here!

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‘GRAND THEFT HAMLET’ (2025) Shakespeare takes center stage in GTA, and earns a standing ovation.

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fest bannerGRAND THEFT HAMLET

Grand Theft Hamlet poster(2024) - www.imdb.com

 

In Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane‘s extraordinary documentary GRAND THEFT HAMLET, Mark and Sam, friends and out-of-work actors during London’s third Covid-19 lockdown, hatch a plan to put on the notorious play inside the action-adventure gaming world.

The entire concept of the film began as a creative outlet. The result is undeniably hilarious. The voyeuristic journey moves from amusing to genuinely intriguing and heartfelt. It’s strangely relatable, particularly for fellow performers grappling with the reality of their livelihoods being ripped away from them in an instant.

grand-theft-hamlet-286259-copySam and Mark try to entice an audience while simultaneously playing the game. GRAND THEFT HAMLET is hands down one of the most entertaining documentaries ever. Guns blazing, blood spraying, and lines of Shakespeare flying willy-nilly, it’s brilliant madness.

Sam and Mark deliver tangible performances for Shakespeare novices while attempting to make their idea a reality. Those who finally join in on the fun present the audiences, the one in the game and the one at home, with catharsis and joy. Auditions are captivating. This beautifully eclectic group of players *double entendre* mesmerizes with personal backstories and, ultimately, their storytelling skills.

Grand Theft Hamlet blimp(2024) - www.imdb.comHaving only witnessed clips of Grand Theft Auto through the years, I was blown away by the ability to customize the experience. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. It is something akin to a virtual vision board. (Yes, my theatre nerd girl roots are showing.) Could this be a new way to rehearse actors? The director in me has all the thoughts currently rushing into my brain.

GRAND THEFT HAMLET also grounds us in the truth of the pandemic’s isolation and sadness. Mark, Sam, and the cast delve into the play’s text as it pertains to current circumstances and life in general. It’s essentially a masterclass in performance and communication in more ways than you can fathom.

Grand Theft Hamlet cave(2024) - www.imdb.comOn the technical side of things, the editing and soundtrack are award-worthy. The film exemplifies the power of human connection when it was not possible in the physical world. It is a light in the ongoing darkness that often feels all-consuming. Sam’s plea from the film’s audition recruitment segment says it all. “You can’t stop art, motherfuckers!” GRAND THEFT HAMLET is the epitome of the creative community’s ability to bring hope.

GRAND THEFT HAMLET Trailer:


The SXSW Prize-Winning Documentary Opening in Theaters January 17, 2025 via MUBI

 

Directed by: Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane
Written by: Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane
Staring: Sam Crane, Mark Oosterveen, Jen Cohn
Producers: Rebecca Wolf and Julia Ton

89min | UK | Documentary
 
Synopsis: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, two out-of-work actors, Sam and Mark, face a bleak future. Desperate for purpose, they stumble upon an idea: stage Shakespeare’s Hamlet within the ultra-violent world of Grand Theft Auto Online. Shot entirely in-game, GRAND THEFT HAMLET explores their attempt to merge classical theatre with a chaotic digital landscape. With stunning visuals and unexpected moments of reflection, this engaging documentary examines how ancient cultural narratives can still resonate in new, virtual spaces, raising questions about art, isolation, and the digital world’s potential for storytelling.

Winner:
SXSW  – Documentary Feature Competition
BIFA –  Best Debut Director (Feature Documentary) & Raindance Maverick Award
Sitges – Best Documentary 
Vancouver International Film Festival –  Audience Award
DMZ International Film Fest – Frontier Competition – Grand Prize

For more documentary coverage, click here!



 

‘LADY LIKE’ (2025) Passion, Fashion, Dance, and Discovery. Lady Camden’s journey to happiness.


LADY LIKE

lady like poster

Starting with a bang, Luke WillisLADY LIKE is hands down the best film from a Drag Race alumni. Rex Wheeler had big dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. After attending the world’s most prestigious school, a slipped disc altered his path and made way for an equally celebratory expression of talent. Enter Lady Camden.

lady like young rexThe structure is a mix of real-time anxiety about the airing episodes, Rex’s extraordinary ballet training, and unresolved childhood trauma. After her first win, Lady Camden’s popularity skyrockets. But the film never lets us forget the immense work that goes into this art. 

lady like balletDelving into family and friend dynamics is vital to Rex’s well-being. There is an unfiltered honesty that hits you square in the chest. Transitions are eye-catching animation sequences that also serve as explanations for any viewer unfamiliar with Drag Race. Nina West, a darling of the show’s legacy, narrates. It is the perfect pairing for Lady Camden and Rex. 

lady like finaleThe film is beautifully shot and emotionally edited. There is love infused in making this film. A visceral joy of becoming who we always dreamed we’d be bursts off the screen. LADY LIKE is a must-see. 

Lady Camden Doc LADY LIKE Comes to VOD
Festival Favorite About Drag Race Breakout
Launches on Cable and Streaming
From Freestyle Digital Media January 3, 2025




In this rags to riches origin story, drag superstar Lady Camden is catapulted into the spotlight when she becomes a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race. As she struggles with the new demands of fame, she must come to terms with a troubled childhood.

The fairy-tale life of RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Lady Camden, shines in Luke Willis’ intimate and joyous documentary as it traces her launch to international fame while diving into a dark past that drove her to seek the fantasy of the performing arts.

Narrated by fellow Drag Race star Nina West, director Luke Willis’ intimate documentary traces Camden’s journey, giving us a front-row-seat on her path to find her confidence, her chosen family, and to prove that embracing one’s vulnerable self and artistic core is critical to find healing.

Lady Like: 88 minutes / UK-USA

Preorder on Apple TV

For more documentaries, click here!

 

‘Screams from the Tower’ (DWF NY 2024) A gay, coming-of-age story of friendship, fearlessness, and the future.

POSTER-DWFNY-2024-480x709Screams from the Tower

SCREAMS-FROM-THE-TOWER

Filmmaker Cory Wexler Grant gave DWF NY 2024 audiences belly laughs with the East Coast debut of SCREAMS FROM THE TOWER. The film follows best friends Julien and Cary as they vie for a morning radio spot at their high school in the early 90s. Getting there is only the beginning. As the show evolved, so did its creators and fans.

The script is quirky, whippy, and bold. The dialogue settles into 90s jargon in such a natural way you might think it has been sitting on a shelf since. I mean that as a compliment. Each character has unique flaws and big feelings. The chemistry between every cast member is outstanding. Even the parents and teachers are memorable.

David Bloom gives Cary a solid best-friend connection and comic foil for Richie Fusco. Opposites attract in every sense. Other notable performances from Ryan Golf, Madison Tevlin, Amanda Bruton, and TJ Lee round out the hilarity.

Richie Fusco has genuine Ducky meets Ferris Bueller energy playing Julien. From his style to his humor, he effortlessly commands this ensemble. His journey of self-discovery drives SCREAMS from beginning to end. He oozes charm.

Knowing that the film is an homage to Grant’s teenage years makes every aspect more delicious. As a theatre kid from the class of ’99 growing up on John Hughes films, this film tapped into every bit of my coming-of-age individuality. Grant taps into the loneliness of secrets and the handling of creative kids. I felt this film in my bones.


Screams from the Tower Trailer:

WRITER/DIR: Cory Wexler Grant
PROD: Alexander Wenger
CAST: Richie Fusco, David Bloom, Madison Tevlin

“Screams from the Tower” Synopsis:
“Screams from the Tower” is a gay, coming of-age comedy that follows Julien, his best friend Cary, and their outcast friends through high school in the early 90’s. Julien and Carys dream of having their own show on the high school radio station is finally realized, bringing them popularity and infamy they never imagined.

“Screams from the Tower” Directors Note:
“Screams from the Tower” is broadly based on my teenage years, growing up in the 1990s in the Chicago suburbs. I wanted to write a gay, coming-of-age comedy in the style of the late great John Hughes who only ever hinted at the concept of being gay in his movies but was so very instrumental in highlighting the growing pains of the nerds, weirdos, and outliers. I didn’t want to focus on the trauma experienced by so many queer kids or even the passion surrounding unrequited teenage crushes. So many young adult gay movies have already illustrated these themes so well. Instead, I wanted to make a broader movie to which more people could relate. Focusing on the absurd, painful, and often laughable journey of self-discovery and identity exploration every teen goes through before graduating and leaving the lives they know.
I wanted to show the generation currently enduring high school the technological and cultural changes which have occurred since I was a kid – not out of nostalgia – but to highlight areas of cultural and social change and the areas which have not. Mostly, I hope they find it funny. I hope they can empathize. I hope they can identify in the same way those who lived it can. “Screams from the Tower” is a love story, but not a romantic one. This movie is a love letter to an old friend who forever changed my perception of the world. He taught me how to be proud, stranger and fearless. This movie i s in large part, for him and all the “weird” kids out there.

DWF NY la

For more DWF NY coverage, click here!

‘A MISTAKE’ (2024) Elizabeth Banks stars in a tense medical drama based on the best-selling novel.

Quiver LogoA MISTAKE



AMistake_Theatrical_KeyArt_SmallChristine Jeffs writes, directs, and produces the adaptation of the best-selling novel by Carl Shuker, A MISTAKE. The film follows Dr. Elizabeth Taylor, a teaching surgeon whose resident falters during a routine cut. The script jumps right into the case in question. The next morning’s death of the patient begins an avalanche of questions, accusations, and steering misogyny. We witness the systematic attempt at taking down a successful female surgeon who challenges power.

A_MISTAKE-Clean-16x9-02Elizabeth Banks starts as a confident and calming presence in the OR. Amid the chaos, Banks walks a tightrope of mothering Richard through his doubts and defending her skills and judgment. As circumstances spiral, her protective, almost cold exterior begins to crack, and mistakes manifest outside the hospital. One scene with a dog will bring you to tears and puts Banks’s character on the other side of loss. It’s a subtly powerful performance.

A MISTAKE-Clean-16x9-03-copyThe cinematography, especially the quiet moments, has an emotional impact. Jeffs masterfully captures the nuance of being a woman, particularly in any position of power. Words and actions somehow have an entirely different meaning if you are female. Jeffs highlights the infuriating double standards. A MISTAKE delves into the wildly erratic medical field, the human element of playing God, and noble pursuits.

A Mistake Trailer:

Opens in Theaters this Friday September 20 from Quiver Distribution

 

Based on the page-turning novel by Carl Shuker, A MISTAKE is a thrilling exploration of the dangerous ripple effects that can be triggered by a single human error. 

When expert surgeon Elizabeth Taylor (Banks) makes the decision to allow her young registrar, Richard Whitehead, to take charge of one small but delicate step during a routine surgery on a very sick young woman, a mistake is made that can’t be undone. Elizabeth’s efforts to protect Richard and herself come into conflict with the desperate need for black and white answers from the patient’s parents and the hospital’s single-minded attempts to protect their reputation. A film about human fallibility, and forgiveness.

Starring three-time Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Banks, Simon McBurney, Mickey Sumner and Rena Owen. 
Written, Directed & Produced by Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia, Sunshine Cleaning) 
 
Produced by Matthew Metcalfe 
Cornerstone’s Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder served as executive producers.

For more Dramas, click here!

‘THE CRITIC’ (2024) When the stage meets screen and the villain rules all.

greenwich ent logoTHE CRITIC

the Critic poster

Years of notoriously harsh criticism result in a pending forced retirement for Jimmy Erskine, chief drama critic for The Daily Chronicle. When the end of his career and one actress’ daring confrontation change his life, a stealth proposition takes advantage of weak hearts. THE CRITIC manipulates the audience in a way that is bold and devastating.

the Critic ian and gemmaLush cinematography and lighting immediately draw you into the narrative alongside McKellen’s iconic voice. From the costumes to the jewel-toned sets, it’s a period drama fans dream.

Mark Strong delivers a heart-wrenching performance as David Brooke. His palpable vulnerability pours off the screen. He is captivating. Gemma Arterton gives Nina Land noble fierceness matching McKellen’s presence. Like most of us with the acting big hardwired into our DNA, Nina seeks approval. But her adoration from Erskine comes with a caveat: seduce the paper’s new proprietor in return for rave reviews.

The Critic stillSir Ian McKellen is vicious and brilliant. Playing Jimmy Erskine, he is a rather vile curmudgeon who revels in taking down enthusiastic artists and their work. Jimmy is an unapologetic diva. The fear he leaves in his wake destroys careers with the stroke of his pen. McKellen succeeds in making audiences adore a genuine villain.

Director Anand Tucker and writer Patrick Marber skillfully steal the plots of Nina’s stage versions for Erskine’s personal use. Shakespeare would love Jimmy Erskine. Audiences will love to hate him. “The plays the thing,” as they say. THE CRITIC is the epitome of this very notion.


The Critic Trailer:



In Theaters September 13, 2024!


Directed By: Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie, Shopgirl)

Written by: Patrick Marber (Closer, Notes on a Scandal)

Starring: Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings, Gods and Monsters), Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia, Byzantium), Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone), Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter), Romola Garai (One Life), and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread)

Produced by: Jolyon Symonds, Bill Kenwright and David Gilbery

Executive Produced by: Mark Gordon, Zygi Kamasa, Naomi George, Tom Butterfield and Harry White



London, 1934. Jimmy Erskine (McKellen) is the most feared theatre critic of the age. He lives as flamboyantly as he writes and takes pleasure in savagely taking down any actor who fails to meet his standards. When the owner of the Daily Chronicle newspaper dies, and his son David Brooke (Strong) takes over, Jimmy quickly finds himself at odds with his new boss and his position under threat. In an attempt to preserve the power and influence he holds so sacred, Jimmy strikes a faustian pact with struggling actress Nina Land (Arterton), entangling them and Brooke in a thrilling but deadly web of desire, blackmail and betrayal.

For more thrillers, click here!

‘THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR’ (TIFF 2024) A whimisical getting to know you tale lead by an extraordinary Kim Ho-jung.

tiff 2024bannerTHE MOTHER AND THE BEAR

The Mother and the bear

Johnny Ma
WORLD PREMIERE
Canada, Chile | 2024 | 100m | English, Korean
 
 

Johnny Ma brings TIFF 2024 audiences a story where motherhood and meddling collide in a spectacularly magical fashion. Following a slip and fall on the ice, Sumi’s mother, Sara, arrives from Korea filled with worry and judgment. THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR is akin to a late-stage coming-of-age film, where an estranged mother-daughter blossoms in surprising ways.

The Mother and the Bear (2024) - www.imdb.comKim Ho-jung is magnificent. Sara’s journey spans motherhood, friendship, sleuthing, romance, and identity. Ho-jung embodies silliness, anxiety, boldness, and worldly naivete. She masters each moment with ceaseless charm. She is a star.

The film delves into culture, generational gaps, and familial boundaries with stunning levity. The score is lovely. Ma utilizes fantasy elements such as childish animation and slow-motion sequences. Sound editing plays a huge role in the film’s whimsical nature, with magical windchimes highlighting essential moments in Sara’s thought process. Ma gives her a loveable quality that is nothing short of captivating. Even if we cringe at her scheming, the audience roots for her growth at every turn. THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR is an undeniable gem at this year’s festival.

https://tiff.net/events/the-mother-and-the-bear

tiff24-banner-rogers

For all TIFF 2024 coverage, click here!

TIFF 2024: 9 Films we’re excited for at this year’s fest

tiff 2024bannerTIFF 2024

Kicking off festival season proper with the Toronto International Film Festival. 2024’s lineup is not only star-studded but overflowing with new talent that is here to blow you away. Here is a list of 8 films we’ll be getting in line for. 

TIFF 2024 will be held from September 05, 2024 to September 15, 2024 in Toronto, Canada.
Location: Toronto

 

For ticket information, click here!

PAYING FOR IT

Paying For it TIFF 24Sook-Yin Lee
WORLD PREMIERE
Canada | 2024 | 85m | English


In the late 90s, Chester and Sonny are a long-term, committed, romantic couple. When Sonny wants to redefine their relationship, Chester, a shy and introverted cartoonist, starts sleeping with sex workers and discovers a new kind of intimacy in the process.

https://tiff.net/events/paying-for-it


THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR

The Mother and the bearJohnny Ma
WORLD PREMIERE
Canada, Chile | 2024 | 100m | English, Korean
 
 

https://tiff.net/events/the-mother-and-the-bear


ICK

ICK_Still_01_hero_v2Joseph Kahn
WORLD PREMIERE
United States of America | 2024 | 92m | English
 
In Joseph Kahn’s breakneck sci-fi/horror satire, a high school science teacher (Brandon Routh) does battle with a parasitic alien entity, as well as the apathy of the small town it has been gradually absorbing.
 
 

SHOOK
Shook (2024)
Amar Wala
WORLD PREMIERE
Canada | 2024 | 113m | English, Hindi
 
Struggling writer Ashish is thrown for several loops when he falls for barista Claire and learns his estranged father has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, in Amar Wala’s first dramatic feature. Read More : If you are looking for news regarding replica watches visit londondaily.news
 
 

SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON
Superboys-of-Malegaon_01
Reema Kagti
WORLD PREMIERE
India | 2024 | 127m | Hindi
 
Helmed by Reema Kagti (Talaash: The Answer Lies Within) in her latest collaboration with producer Zoya Akhtar (Gully Boy), this uplifting story chronicles the life of Nasir Shaikh, whose no-budget, community-sourced movies turned his hometown into an unlikely dream factory.
 
 

VIKTOR
viktor
Olivier Sarbil
WORLD PREMIERE
Ukraine, United States of America | 2024 | 89m | Ukrainian, Russian
 
Fusing rigorous reportage with innovative cinematic subjectivity, this bold documentary from veteran war photographer Olivier Sarbil is a uniquely intimate portrait of a Deaf person’s experience of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
 
 

THE SWEDISH TORPEDO
Swedish-Torpedo_Still_01
Frida Kempff
WORLD PREMIERE
Sweden | 2024 | 120m | Swedish, Danish, English
 
This beautifully textured period drama from director Frida Kempff tells the story of Sally Bauer, a Swedish mother who pursues her dream of swimming the English Channel before the Second World War envelops Europe.
 
 

THE LAST REPUBLICAN
the last republican
Steve Pink
WORLD PREMIERE
United States of America | 2024 | 90m | English
 
A fan of Hot Tub Time Machine, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger invites the left-wing Hollywood director Steve Pink to follow his efforts to hold Donald Trump accountable for the January 6 insurrection.
 
 

HERETIC
 
 
Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
WORLD PREMIERE
United States of America | 2024 | 110m | English
 

 

tiff24-banner-rogersFor more information on TIFF 2024, click here!

 

You can find out previous TIFF coverage here 🙂


 

‘CLOSE TO YOU’ (2024) Dominic Savage and Elliot Page tell a vital and raw story about living and loving authentically.

greenwich ent logoCLOSE TO YOU



Close To You poster

Dominic Savage‘s CLOSE TO YOU finds Sam as he returns home for the first time in four years. Intense feelings come from every angle as he lives an authentic life for the first time.

Each character experiences a unique form of grief that only those with trans loved ones can speak to. It is a dichotomy of emotions, loss, and celebration. Page and Savage do not sugarcoat it. One particular character provokes with his hypermasculinity, rage, and ignorance. It is an essential part of the narrative. It is raw, tender, tense, and cathartic.

Close to you SamCLOSE TO YOU feels like a documentary from the acting and handheld camera work. The script, co-penned by Page and Savage, is exquisitely crafted. The cast’s chemistry is so organic. The film feels like a genuine ensemble piece, delving into mental health, parenting, fear, and truth.

Hillary Baack delivers a beautiful performance. She gives Katherine a different kind of wound. Elliot Page goes to magic places. We should thank him for allowing us into such an intimate space. Witnessing Page take in the dialogue feels like a privilege. Baack and Page connect on a pure level that pours off the screen.

Close to You_stillCLOSE TO YOU delivers a gut punch of complex feelings, like a walk down memory lane for anyone with family drama or deep, unrequited love. As a parent, you will be unable to hold in your emotions. It will hit on a different level. It is undeniably a remarkable and vital film.


Check Out The Trailer Here!

In Theaters Nationwide on August 16!

**World Premiere – 2023 Toronto International Film Festival**
**Official Selection – 2024 BFI Flare**
**Official Selection – 2024 NewFest

Directed By: Dominic Savage

Screenplay By: Dominic Savage

Starring: Elliot Page & Hillary Baack

Produced By: Krishnendu Majumdar, Richard Yee, Daniel Bekerman, Chris Yurkovich, Dominic Savage, Elliot Page

Executive Produced By: Anita Gou, Sam Intili, Nia Vazirani, Francine Maisler, Matt Jordan Smith, Andrew Frank

CLOSE TO YOU tells the story of Sam (Elliot Page) who hasn’t been home since his transition.  After four years in Toronto, he takes a long-dreaded trip back to his hometown for his father’s birthday. Once there, he confronts unresolved wounds and reconnects with an old flame.                                        

Close To You had its World Premiere at TIFF last year. Dominic Savage is a British BAFTA award-winning director, writer and actor. He’s known for I Am Ruth (2022), I Am… (2019)Love + Hate (2005) and Barry Lyndon (1975). Dominic and Elliot worked very closely together on the story. Dominic has a unique style in that he writes an outlined script but fully expects it to be a jumping off point for the actors to improvise from. Giving them the time to fully feel the truth of their character and use their own words. Elliot is a producer and also has a story credit and completely trusted Dominic to tell this story.

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‘THE NIGHT IS YOUNG’ (Popcorn Frights 2024) Love bites, but only if you’re lucky in Patrick Rea’s newest film.

popcorn frights 2024 logoTHE NIGHT IS YOUNG

TheNightIsYoung
Director Patrick Rea’s THE NIGHT IS YOUNG comes to Popcorn Frights 2024. Jumping on the content creator subgenre, or perhaps a page out of the REC playbook, this vampire romance uses all the best tropes for a breezy homegrown horror. 

Jake Jackson wears all the hats as cinematographer, special effects makeup artist, and Nora’s brother Jake. We only see him briefly at the end of the film because he’s but a voice behind the lens for the entirety of the film. He’s fantastic. 

Rea co-writes with star Sarah McGuire. I could have watched her dating shenanigans for another hour. McGuire gives Nora a relatable vibe, owning each moment with ease. Her chemistry with Valerie Bates (Emelia) feels incredibly natural. I’m excited to see what she does next.

Utilizing security footage and Jake’s real-time video maintains a sense of urgency during the countdown to sunrise. The reveal is unsurprising, but the why is much more fun for vampire canon nerds like me. THE NIGHT IS YOUNG is the definition of indie filmmaking. Taking a look at the credits, everyone had multiple roles. It’s a perfect runtime for the story. There is a solid set-up for a franchise, so color me intrigued.

DATE: Saturday, August 10
TIME: Video On Demand
VENUE: Digital Screening Room

YEAR: 2024

COUNTRY: USA

RUNTIME: 76 min

DIRECTOR: Patrick Rea

WRITER: Sarah McGuire, Patrick Rea

STARRING: Valeri Bates, Sarah McGuire, Jake Jackson

For more Popcorn Frights reviews, click here!
 

 

‘CHATEAU’ (Popcorn Frights 2024) A solid sub genre entry with clever twists

popcorn frights 2024 logo

CHÂTEAU

ChateauFilmmaker Luke Genton tells the story of a wannabe influencer living in Paris looking for a hook. Short on cash, she accepts a cleaning job, not knowing the location is an infamous murder castle. Thinking this might be her internet 15 minutes, she brings her nonexistent audience on the job. CHÂTEAU gives Popcorn Frights 2024 the YouTube ghost-hunting treatment. 

Taking a page out of The Blair Witch Project and campy reality show Ghost Adventures, the format goes a step further, combining a lot of screen editing – past YouTube investigators, video calls, research blogs, and James’ real-time recordings. It is a clever move showing the audience her elaborate steady can rig. 

The location boasts stunning architectural features, a winding staircase, sprawling grounds, chandeliers, and a full-sized barn with creaky rafters. Genton does a fantastic job utilizing James’ particular room to shoot a lot of set-ups. As well as classic haunted house tropes, like lingering on over-the-shoulder door frames and panicked running in circles. 

The plot twist 30 minutes into the film caught me off guard. It was refreshing and kept me engaged. Another unexpected shift, delving into James’ unresolved trauma, sets the tone for the film’s remainder. The forced POV continues to be entirely unsettling. The jump scares are earned. The makeup team does a fine job with the progressive looks. 

The camera loves Colton Tran. He steals every scene he’s in. Tran is effortlessly charming, and I wanted to see more of him. That does not take anything away from Cathy Marks essentially performing a one-woman show. She’s likable and down-to-earth. Marks easily carries the film, ultimately grabbing viewers with her backstory.

Slow clap. One last twist takes the cake, and the final performance is smashing. Bravo. CHÂTEAU is a fun entry into the found footage subgenre. 

 

YEAR: 2024

COUNTRY: USA

RUNTIME: 83 min

DIRECTOR: Luke Genton

WRITER: Luke Genton

STARRING: Colton Tran, Cathy Marks

 
For more Popcorn Frights reviews, click here!
 

 

 

 

‘CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING’ (Fantasia 2024) An unhinged and instant cult classic

Fantasia 2024 logo

CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING

chainsaws_were_singing_poster_diYoung lovers Tom and Maria are interrupted by a chainsaw-wielding maniac. After Maria’s kidnapping, aided by the eternally upbeat Jaan, Tom tracks her down only to discover the dark secrets surrounding the killer’s past and present. If Monty Python and Mel Brooks decided to make a slasher film, Estonian filmmaker Sander Maran’s CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING would be their demented little offspring. It is the kind of instant cult classic ripe for Midnight screenings.

Chainsaws Were Singing - The Official Homepage - chainsawsweresinging.comThe film perfectly captures the absurdity of most musicals – cheating toward the audience, over-the-top gestures, and breaking into song, often at inexplicable moments. These are facts about the genre. I know. I majored in it at a conservatory in Manhattan. Like Anna and The Apocalypse, Bloodthirsty, Rocky Horror, Little Shop, Sweeney Todd, Repo! The Genetic Opera, CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING enters the fray of outstanding subgenre horror musicals.

Chainsaws Were SingingThe plot takes from films like Wrong Turn, Texas Chainsaw, and Robin Hood: Men In Tights. Hands down, one of the most catchy numbers belongs to The Killer, in which he sings about his murderous penchant. Jaan’s song made me guffaw more than once. (Think an even more insane version of “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.”)

The practical FX team went above and beyond. It is not often a film that makes me physically nauseous. CHAINSAWS almost made me lose it. Like everything else, kills are entirely over the top but unbelievably creative. CHAINSAW WERE SINGING is unhinged and in your face. A 3D version would not, and should not, be out of the question.

 

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024

HONORS

Audience Award – Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024

Best Estonian Genre Film – Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024

DIRECTOR

Sander Maran

PRODUCER

Jan Andresson, Karl-Joosep Ilves, Kaur Maran, Peeter Maran

WRITER

Sander Maran

CAST

Karl-Joosep Ilves, Laura Niils, Janno Puusepp, Martin Ruus, Rita Rätsepp

COMPOSER

Sander Maran

EDITOR

Sander Maran

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Kadri Kuusler

CONTACT

Marani Bros

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

https://chainsawsweresinging.com

Fantasia 2024 posterFor all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

 

‘THE MISSING (Fantasia 2024) Beautiful digital rotoscope animation unfolds a genre-defying film.

Fantasia 2024 logoTHE MISSING

The Missing poster

Eric has a well-paying job as an animator, a crush on a co-worker, and harbors a secret. Filmmaker director Carl Joseph Papa brings Fantasia 2024 audiences his third feature-length animated film, THE MISSING. Hindering Eric’s new romance are the memories triggered after discovering his estranged uncle dead. Can Eric finally find his voice? 

The_Missing_02The longer Eric waits to tell his loved ones, the stranger his life gets. An alien threatens to take him back to outer space. He is losing time, and his body parts are falling off. This aspect is particularly upsetting because he is literally missing his mouth. This creative metaphor becomes the backbone of THE MISSING. 

Digital Rotoscope adult animation often has a heavy feel. In the last 20 years, films like A Scanner Darkly (which blew my mind in 2006), The Spine of Night, and The Peasants give audiences a similar vibe. It is undoubtedly a cinematic wonder, drawing your eye to places you might not otherwise look had filmmakers shot on digital or even traditional film. There is a beauty that harkens back somewhere between Henri Matisse and Disney. 

The_Missing_04I wasn’t aware that I grew up on Rotoscope films before doing a quick Google search. Some of my most beloved childhood films fall into the genre- The Lord of the Rings (1978), The Secret of NIMH (1982), and Anastasia (1997). First introduced in 1918, I had no idea the process was so old. THE MISSING stylistically mirrors The Spine of the Night rather than Alice In Wonderland. 2D animation illustrates Eric’s childhood memories in a stunning visual contrast that serves a dual purpose. The choice to childishly scribble over Uncle’s face speaks volumes. It is a visually captivating film. 

Carlo Aquino is esquisite as Eric. The vulnerability that flows from Aquino without dialogue is astonishing. What a star. Backed up by the extraordinary duo of Dolly De Leon and Gio Gahol, THE MISSING is a uniquely crafted metaphor for unresolved trauma. It’s a poignant exploration of abuse, grief, and healing, and a creative catharsis.

Remaining Screenings of THE MISSING:

Sun August 04, 2024
5:15 PM
 

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Annecy International Animation Festival 2024
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2024
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2024
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024
Queer East Festival 2024

HONORS

Best Supporting Actress for Dolly de Leon – Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2023

Philippines’ submission to the 96th Academy Awards

Best Film – Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023

NETPAC Award – Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023

For all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

‘CUCKOO’ (Fantasia 2024) Forget eloquence and let’s call it what it is. Tilman Singer’s latest is a mindfuck.

Fantasia 2024 logoCUCKOO



cuckoo_poster_engAbandonment and unresolved trauma collide with a monster movie and mad scientist in Tilman Singer‘s (LUZ) latest film, CUCKOO. Fantasia 2024 audiences, you are not ready for the authentic dread and mind-blowing chaos coming for you.

Gretchen is shipped off to live on a mountain resort in the Alps with her estranged father, his new wife, and her nonverbal stepsister. Something is very wrong as the guests lose their faculties at the stalking presence of a mysterious woman in white.

Singer never hides the fact that some characters know more than Gretchen. CUCKOO has a subtle Rosemary’s Baby vibe. The mystery rolls out slowly. Each new scene is more eerie than the last. We never know who to trust.

Repetition of selective moments featuring augmented audio places the viewer in an off-kilter state of mind. Sound is vital to CUCKOO’s narrative, assisted by a perfect soundtrack and score.
Cuckoo_01

Singer has Gretchen utterly trapped, held captive emotionally, physically, and metaphorically. Subconsciously, the audience is already visually groomed by the location. The resort lies in the valley surrounded by The Alps. The special FX makeup team earns every bit of kudos for their work, particularly as Gretchen’s injuries increase throughout the film.

Dan Stevens‘ character has an eccentricity that immediately makes you uneasy. Singer creates a man so unusual that the audience questions the motive of every sentence until halfway through the film. Stevens is a chameleon. This role is another wild notch on his resume.

Hunter Schafer is magnificent. She captures teen angst, naive fearlessness, and everything in between. This performance is a home run. Schafer solidifies herself as an undeniable star.

Boasting a finale that has to be one of the most epically shocking WTFs of all time, Singer has given genre audiences something entirely unpredictable, twisty, and unhinged—hell yes, and holy shit.

Fantasia 2024 posterFor all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

‘DOCTOR JEKYLL’ (2024) Eddie Izzard continues to be iconic


DOCTOR JEKYLL

STARRING EDDIE IZZARD

Doctor Jekyll poster
An adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, director Joe Stephenson takes us inside the gothic horror genre through the performance of the incomparable Eddie Izzard.

In DOCTOR JEKYLL, a young man recently released from prison, needing employment to see his daughter, finds himself the carer for a famous pharmaceutical giant forced into seclusion due to scandal. There is something amiss with the doctor, and Rob is merely a chess piece.

doctor Jekyll 2The script plays like one carefully curated test after another, skillfully crafted to test Rob’s and our moral compass. screenwriter Dan Kelly-MulhernIt has Nina lull Rob into a sense of safety and care, playing on his desperation and redemption arc. The double-entendre dialogue is delicious.

Scott Chambers captivates with an anxious, naive, childlike quality reminiscent of Barry Keoghan in Saltburn. He compels you to watch. His chemistry with Izzard is electric.

doctor Jekyll Scott chambersEddie Izzard owns the titular role of Nina Jekyll. Delivering two fully fleshed-out personalities, one can only imagine the personal stake in Izzard’s performance. She is utterly mesmerizing, devouring Kelly-MulhernIt’s versions of Nina and Rachel. It is one hell of a turn.

Birgit Dierken‘s cinematography features sweeping crane shots and beautiful framing, utilizing brilliant natural and fire light. The score mirrors the story in style. Devilishly sinister and other times lovely, the duality is perfect.

Doctor-Jekyll_Still_4DOCTOR JEKYLL is endlessly intriguing, playing on the raw emotions and hitting every horror note, with precision. The finale is visually spectacular. DOCTOR JEKYLL is a prime example of keen manipulation.

OPENING IN THEATERS AND VOD AUGUST 2ND

Hammer Films invites you to screen DOCTOR JEKYLL, a new adaptation of the classic tale from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella starring Eddie Izzard. Directed by Joe Stephenson (MIDAS MAN), DOCTOR JEKYLL is a slow-burn gothic horror that delves into themes of duality, concocting a surprising mix of dark humor and flashes of camp within a twisted fairytale. The film also stars Scott Chambers, Simon Callow, Lindsay Duncan, Jonathan Hyde, Morgan Watkins and Robyn Cara. DOCTOR JEKYLL will open in theaters and on demand beginning August 2, 2024.

Doctor Jekyll Eddie IzzardDIRECTOR Joe Stephenson 

WRITERS Dan Kelly-Mulhern, Robert Louis Stevenson 

CAST Eddie Izzard, Scott Chambers, Lindsay Duncan, Simon Callow, Jonathan Hyde, Morgan Watkins, Robyn Cara, Isabella Inchbald, Tony Jayawardena 

GENRE Gothic Horror, Drama, Mystery   

RUN TIME 90 mins 

 

Instagram: @hammer_films 

Facebook: @hammerfilms

X (formerly known as Twitter): @hammerfilms

TikTok: @hammerfilms_ 

Hashtags: #HammerFilms #DoctorJekyll

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‘DIRTY BAD WRONG’ (Fantasia 2024 short) Erica Orofino’s short finds a mother between a promise and a boundary.

Fantasia 2024 logo

DIRTY BAD WRONG

Dirty Bad Wrong PosterDesperate to keep her promise to host the best superhero party for her 6-year-old, young mother Sid, a sex worker, takes extreme measures and books a last-minute client with a dark fetish. Dirty Bad Wrong is a drama/body horror that explores the darkest sides of capitalism, and just how far we’ll go for the ones we love.

STILL1 - Dirty, Bad, Wrong - Image by SAMANTHA FALCOSTILL1 - Dirty, Bad, Wrong - Image by SAMANTHA FALCOLife changes when you become a mother. It is impossible to describe to someone who has never protected another human with every ounce of their soul. In Erica Orofino‘s Fantasia 2024 short film DIRTY BAD WRONG, audiences are plunged into the world of a mother who would do anything for her child. 

Dirty Bad Wrong 3 - Photo by Samantha Falco50Jack Greig has a presence that is hard to teach. He gives Jesse a palpable innocence and curiosity. Michaela Kurimsky plays Sid with earnest desperation and unconditional love for her son. The chemistry between her and Grieg is enchanting. Kurimsky is nothing short of captivating in fourteen minutes. I would watch her in anything.

Outside of the authentic choices for survival, the horror aspect is subtle in the most powerful way. The messaging behind the images screams off the screen. The necessary evils one will endure for a loved one knows no bounds. DIRTY BAD WRONG begs for a feature. There is enough meat on the bone, no unintended, for delicious worldbuilding. 

Dirty Bad Wrong stars Michaela Kurimsky (Alouette, Firecrackers, The Boathouse), Jack Greig (Dark Side of the Ring), and Cody Thompson (The Shape of Water, May the Best Wedding Win, Mrs. America) and is produced by Fonna Seidu (virgins!, Fresh Meat, Being Black in Toronto). It was shot in Toronto, Canada.

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‘HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRL’ (Fantasia 2024) Flipping the script on the Final Girl trope.

Fantasia 2024 logo

HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRL

Hell Is A Teenage Girl poster

Every Halloween, the small town of Springboro is terrorized by its resident SLASHER – a masked serial killer who targets sinful teenagers that break ‘The Rules of Horror’ – don’t drink, don’t do drugs, and don’t have sex! At the center of it all is Parker Campbell, the Slasher’s estranged biological daughter. In an attempt to clear her name and make things right with the town, Parker sets out on a life-or-death mission in hopes of ending his reign of terror once and for all…

Hell Is a Teenage Girl (2024

Skylar Radzion plays Parker, the daughter of a small-town slasher. Tortured by her peers most of her life, she enlists her best friend and an obsessive lunkhead to break all the rules and unleash the ultimate form of revenge. Filmmaker Stephen Sawchuk delivers the goods to Fantasia 2024 audiences with his short film HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRL.
Radzion, Faly Mevamanana, and Kevin Osea nail their roles. The updated colonial set that serves as Parker’s home is perfect, and well-thought-out costumes complete the vision. The film is a solid treatment for a feature I’d be delighted to dive into. Sawchuk gives us enough meat on the bone for expansion, past and future.

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Mammoth Film Festival 2024

WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2024

Luxembourg International Indie Film Festival 2024

Cannes Indie International Film Festival 2024

HONORS

Gold Remi Award – WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2024

Best Horror Film – Cannes Indie International Film Festival 2024

Best Director – Cannes Indie International Film Festival 2024

Best Actress – Luxembourg Indie International Film Fest 2024

DIRECTOR

Stephen Sawchuk

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Elysia Rotaru, Stephen Sawchuk

PRODUCER

Jenni Baynham, Barbara Gregusova

WRITER

Stephen Sawchuk

CAST

Mar Andersons, Zenia Marshall, Faly Mevamanana, Jill Morrison, Kevin Osea, Skylar Radzion

SOCIAL MEDIA: @hellisateenagegirl (Instagram) #HellIsATeenageGirl

Fantasia 2024 posterFor all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRL

‘CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS’ (Fantasia 2024) A murder podcaster’s unresolved trauma turns holiday horror in Alice Maio Mackay latest

Fantasia 2024 logo

CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS

CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS POSTER

Alice Maio Mackay‘s fifth film makes its Montreal premiere at Fantasia 2024. CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS finds a murder podcast host answering a listener’s question, “How did you get into true crime?” Lola recounts a childhood hometown legend, then returns to said location for the Christmas holidays.

When the town’s queer population starts getting murdered, and with a sudden uptick in sightings of The Toy Maker, Lola digs into her expertise and goes over the heads of the local cops to try to find the killer.

CARNAGE_FOR_CHRISTMAS_STILLS_1_148_1Graphic novel animation serves as visually delightful childhood memories surrounding Lola’s backstory with the villain. The poster is undoubtedly an homage to Black Christmas, and the classic trope of a killer in a Santa suit plays, ala Silent Night Deadly Night, still rules.

The practical FX team nails it, aided by the slick editing. Speaking of, the editing and featured neon lighting feel like a calling card for Mackay and editor Vera Drew, Aka “The People’s Joker.” (A must-see feast for the eyes) If you’ve seen Mackay’s 2023 film T BLOCKERS, you’ll understand she’s building a brand here.

CARNAGE_FOR_CHRISTMAS_STILLS_1_327_1Jeremy Moineau gives Lola an effortlessly badass persona but beautifully balances toughness with authentic vulnerability. Her monologue about the town’s history is perfection.

Alice Maio Mackay provides a creative space for trans artists to thrive. CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS has a solid mystery and great performances. It is another sweet notch in Mackay’s stylistic belt.

CARNAGE_FOR_CHRISTMAS_STILLS_1.8

AUSTRALIA 2024 70 MINS OV ENGLISH

GENRE DramaHorrorLGBTQIA2S+


DIRECTOR

Alice Maio Mackay

PRODUCER

Alice Maio Mackay

WRITER

Alice Maio Mackay, Ben Pahl Robinson

CAST

Zairf ., Dominique Booth, Olivia Deeble, Jeremy Moineau, Tumelo Nthupi

COMPOSER

Alexander Taylor

EDITOR

Vera Drew


Remaining Screenings of Carnage For Christmas:

Wed July 24, 2024
5:00 PM

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Fantasia 2024: It’s Heeerrreee (almost). Genre’s best of the best is about to begin.

Fantasia 2024 posterFANTASIA 2024

It’s no secret that Fantasia is the festival I gush about the most. If you want to call yourself a genre film fan you have to know about the buzziest films coming out of the fest each year. Once again, Quebec will host a plethora of premieres, a gaggle of talks with the industry’s best, and scare the pants off of you. Would you expect any less? Fantasia 2024 is the 28th edition of this wonderfully wacky cinephile playground.


IN OUR BLOOD Fantasia 2024

IN OUR BLOOD

Nothing is as it seems when filmmaker Emily Wyland (Brittany O’Grady) teams up with cinematographer Danny (E. J. Bonilla) to shoot an intimate documentary about reuniting with Emily’s estranged mother after a decade apart. When her mother suddenly goes missing, possibly succumbing to the addictions that first tore her family apart, Emily and Danny must piece together increasingly sinister clues to find her before it’s too late.

Directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Pedro Kos (Rebel Hearts, Lead Me Home) in his first narrative feature, IN OUR BLOOD masterfully blends psychological mystery with chilling horror. The film weaves a twisted tale of reconciling with the ghosts of our past and confronting the complicity we share in creating a world that preys on the most vulnerable.


HELL HOLE Fantasia 2024

Hell HoleA road trip through Canadian oil fields conjured up fantasies of secrets deep in the dirt for the Adams family, and inspired them to create HELL HOLE, an indie rock-n-roll monster movie set at a far-away fracking site. Known for their DIY ethos, John and Lulu Adams and Toby Poser, partnering with Shudder, have joined the team behind The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs and FX legend Todd Masters to shoot their latest in Serbia with a local cast and crew. Absurd, mutinous, and transgressively comical, Hell Hole is old-school sci-fi horror, yet in typical family fashion, they subvert the genre with textures of biological and environmental horror in tandem with questions of gender and bodily autonomy. This will be the fourth time Fantasia World Premieres work from the gifted filmmaking family, following launches of THE DEEPER YOU DIGHELLBENDER, and WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMSWorld Premiere.


THE BEAST WITHIN

The Beast Within Fantasia 2024

The haze of childhood is a magic lantern that throws light on the wall through a veil of dark both frightening and exciting, and nowhere is this better articulated than in THE BEAST WITHIN (previously titled WHAT REMAINS OF US). Kit Harington (GAME OF THRONESETERNALS) is a father with a secret that he is desperately trying to keep under control. His mysterious excursions at night leave his ailing daughter (Caoilinn Springall, THE MIDNIGHT SKYSTOPMOTION) plagued with questions. The old, timeless house in the woods that she lives in with her caring mother (Ashleigh Cummings, NOS4A2) and absent father feels more like a haunted castle than a loving home. As she investigates her father’s bizarre and dark behaviour, a monstrous figure emerges from the shadows, terrorizing those who encounter it. Supported by her grandfather (James Cosmo, HIGHLANDERBRAVEHEART), she attempts to unravel the mysteries of the creature, and the revelations that she discovers will rock her family and leave her forever changed.


FRANKIE FREAKO Fantasia 2024

Frankie FreakoAfter the success of PSYCHO GOREMAN, FX artist and director Steven Kostanski hits back with the zany, over-the-top FRANKIE FREAKO! Starring Conor Sweeney and Adam Brooks of Astron-6 fame, the film follows a nerdy man who just isn’t cool. In an attempt to impress his wife and boss, he’s lured by a 1-900 TV ad to party with a strange little creature called Frankie Freako. All hell breaks loose when Conor calls and Frankie and his two friends wreak interdimensional havoc in Conor’s life. Kostanski fans will flock to his latest imaginative adventure, saturated with throwback cartoonish fun à la GHOULIES, wildly creative puppets, big laughs, and a helluva good time! Septentrion Shadows section. World Premiere.


THE CODE Fantasia 2024

The CodePeter Vack (ASSHOLES) and Dasha Nekrasova (THE SCARY OF SIXTY-FIRST) star as couple on the rocks during the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic in American filmmaker Eugene Kotlyarenko (SPREE)’s latest, THE CODE – a generation-defining, wickedly dark comedy that blends post-New Wave French sensibilities of aesthetic disillusionment with a singularly alien view of contemporary American life. A transgressive and singular experience, nothing is off limits in this surveillance-heavy narrative, which uses multiple formats, points of view, and cameras to create a visionary collage-like experience of modern life. An epic poem for our post-pandemic world. Underground Section. World Premiere.


BLACK EYED SUSAN Fantasia 2024

Black Eyed SusanIt’s been 21 long years since Scooter McCrae (SHATTER DEAD) released a new feature, and he’s lost none of his smart, transgressive bite. Desperate for work, Derek (Damian Maffei, THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT) accepts a job at a shady tech start-up, working intimately with Susan (Yvonne Emilie Thälker in a powerful debut role), a bleeding-edge BDSM sex doll meant to receive and appreciate sexual punishment as an integral part of her evolving AI. Shot on Super 16, BLACK EYED SUSAN counterbalances its dark, vulgar core with a surprisingly tender vulnerability, creating a lo-fi science-fiction landscape infused with surprising fragility, as legendary Italian composer Fabio Frizzi (THE BEYOND, ZOMBIE) lends the picture a lush, atmospheric backdrop. Not for the faint of heart, BLACK EYED SUSAN delves into themes and questions that will only become more pertinent with the continued evolution of artificial intelligence. World Premiere.


CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING Fantasia 2024

Chainsaws Were SingingA true DIY passion project from Estonian filmmaker Sander Maran, CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING is a zany, blood-soaked musical about lovers split up by a chainsaw-wielding killer. Over a decade in the making, Saran not only directed but wrote, scored, shot, and edited this colorful murder-fest that’s part gory horror movie and part ridiculous musical. The camerawork is inventive, the editing slapstick, and the tone truly absurdist. Most importantly, though, the songs are incredibly catchy, with Sander clearly deeply indebted to Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL and Frank Oz’s LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Underground Section. International Premiere.


THE CHAPEL Fantasia 2024

The Chapel Fantasia 2024The stunning sophomore feature from award-winning director Carlota Pereda (PIGGY), THE CHAPEL marks the fantastic return of atmospheric, character-driven supernatural Spanish horror. Emma (Maia Zaitegi) wants to learn how to communicate with the spirit of a little girl who has spent centuries trapped inside a chapel. She tries to convince Carol (THE ORPHANAGE’s Belen Rueda), a cynical and fake medium, to help her in the hopes that contacting the spirit may help her to remain close to her dying mother after she passes. What Carol doesn’t suspect is that Emma really does have “the gift” and, if she keeps on trying to use it without her guidance, she will be putting her young life at terrifying risk. Winner: Best Actress, Belen Rueda, Cinefantasy 2023. Official Selection: Sitges 2023. North American Premiere.


BORN OF WOMAN 2024 Fantasia 2024

https://fantasiafestival.com/en/program/born-of-woman-2024

Fantasia 2024 - Born of Woman 2024 - fantasiafestival.comMy favorite shorts collection of the year, this wildly eclectic and insanely talented group of female filmmakers aims to please, shock, and gag audiences. You never know what you’ll get with each passing year and I get giddy in anticipation. Fantasia 2024’s Born Of Woman lineup includes the following films:

IZZY

Nahema Ricci stars in this sharply staged build piece expressionistically conveying a person’s realization that they’d rather not fit in, if it means continuingly giving in.

 


the_bleacher_poster_THE BLEACHER

An outright bonkers stop-motion freakazoid about a woman, a laundromat, and a missing sock. From the makers of SEXY FURBY.

 


wildflower posterWILDFLOWER

A reclusive woman gives everything she can to a blood-sucking flower that she’s devoted every waking minute towards caring for.


Mosquito Lady poster Fantasia 2024

MOSQUITO LADY (see our previous coverage)

A sharp intersection between Filipino folklore and the ever-devolving issue of bodily autonomy in the U.S.

 


Dead Tooth posterDEAD TOOTH

A stylishly inventive and considerably bloody take on the one-terrible-day film.


LES YEUX D’OLGA

A senior vampire who moves herself into an elder care facility so as to feed solely on those already at the edge of death.


I'm Not A Robot posterI’M NOT A ROBOT

We’ve all had the annoyance when forced to solve wonky online captchas to convince a website that we’re real-deal human. What if we were to repeatedly fail it?


BERTA

Following the extraordinary DANA, Spanish filmmaker Lucía Forner Segarra returns to Fantasia with BERTA, a tensely compelling new work that continues her explorations of accountability and empowerment following gendered violence.

(You can find past Born of Woman coverage here) Fantasia 2024


You can find more info on Fantasia 2024’s lineup and tickets by tapping HERE


Fantasia 2024 Dates:
Thursday, July 18 – Sunday, August 4th

For previous years’ FANTASIA coverage, click here!