A Night Of Horror International Film Festival
Image: THE DEVIL'S WORK. Image: film still
Do readers of this publication enjoy going to the cinema to watch macabre and spinechilling horror flicks that should keep audiences at the edge of their seats?
Well good news then as this horror film festival returns to Sydney over the Labour Day long weekend, and enthusiasts of this movie genre have the opportunity to come along and watch a program consisting of 10 feature films, 4 of which are Australian produced, and 31 shorts.
Yes that’s right! If you’re game and have an insatiable hunger for horror flicks this is the festival for you!
Over 200 feature films and shorts were submitted by filmmakers and Festival Director Bry Tilly had the task of watching and creating a shortlist of films which would be screening at the festival.
“I also kept my eyes on other film festivals as sometimes there may be a film which doesn’t get submitted which sounds really interesting and I’ll reach out to see if it’s available. We support emerging filmmakers and independent cinema.”
The international movies screening at this festival may most likely never be screened in mainstream cinemas so if there are any titles which are of interest it’s highly recommended you come along to the film festival.
“The Australian films are not a sure thing either, it’s possible but a hard one to predict and even more unpredictable in this current climate, with high competition on streaming making a huge impact on cinema going.”
When asked why movie-goers enjoy going to the cinema and paying hard earned cash to be scared out of their minds by horror movies Tilly was quick to respond.
“On a basic primal level people like being thrilled, they enjoy the adrenaline surge. What horror films bring in terms of an experience is the sense of being confronted by fears, but in the safety of a cinema. You know you’re not going to be hurt but there’s this perverse thrill, you can say.”
When asked what audience this festival would appeal to, Tilly explained that he has selected films for people who he’d classify as ‘horror curious’, people who are interested in films which are darker, edgier, and possibly subversive.
“For moviegoers who don’t want to be hit over the head with the usual kind of horror, blood, and brutality. People who enjoy films which have dark fantasy, noir, dystopian or psychological elements. I’m trying to appeal from the late teens through to middle age and beyond – if you’re 95 years old and enjoy being horrified in a darkened cinema please come along!”
TILLY’S OPTIMUM HORROR PICKS
PENSIVE (Lithuania) – a classic slasher flick with a modern twist. Really cool characters and great dialogue. When a student vandalises a folk art wooden statue it sets off a murderous spree of revenge.
THE MOOR (England) – Set on the Yorkshire moors and follows the story of a woman who attempts to find the final resting place of a murdered boy she once knew. Very creepy indeed!
THE DEVIL’S WORK (Australia) – the opening night film is an intense and immersive film about a couple in a house who are being horrifically besieged by an unhinged homicidal sibling. Unfolds in real time in what seems to be filmed in a single take.
September 28 – October 1
Dendy Cinema. 261 – 263 King Street, Newtown
