Fantastic Film Festival Australia
Image: Mutant Blast. John Ferri
The inaugural Fantastic Film Festival Australia encompasses genre and alternative cinema which doesn’t fit into traditional categories. Festival director Hudson Sowada who spent the most part of last year programming this festival, explained that the film festival comprises 25 uniquely bizarre films.
“We’re focusing on diverse films which give different perspectives on reality and horror. They’re all premiere screenings and there’s one retro screening of Sons Of Steel, an amazing lost heavy metal musical which is followed by a Q&A with the director. We’re really trying to make ourselves stand out in different and interesting ways.”
The films are all strictly R-rated and the festival is targeted towards audiences between the ages of 25 & 35.
“Some of these films you wouldn’t want to sit down and watch with your grandmother!” laughed Sowada. “There are others which are fantastic atmosphere pieces like The Mute, a beautiful Polish film which is a meditation on faith and the history of Christianity. A lot of the films are from countries which you wouldn’t get to see much from.” (MMo)
Feb 20-Mar 4. The Ritz Cinema, Randwick. $16.50-$70+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au
HOT PICKS
CHAINED FOR LIFE – A fantastic exploration of disability. Fronted by an activist who suffers from a condition that causes his face to deform. Opening night film.
MUTANT BLAST – A crazy, amazing troma extravaganza. For audiences interested in the most insane side of cinema. Closing night film.
SUICIDE TOURIST – Intense title, but this is a beautiful, slow-burning film with amazing scenery.
