Austin’s Fantastic Fest gets underway next week, and officials have announced a partnership between Fantastic Fest and IFC Midnight, a new genre label for IFC Films.
Four IFC Midnight movies will play at Fantastic Fest, but you will be able to participate right from your living room, because they will be simulcast on IFC’s Video on Demand. How cool is that?
Here are the films with a brief synopsis. All four are new acquisitions for IFC Midnight films.
High Lane, directed by Abel Ferry
Towering heights and beautiful vistas turn into a haunting mindtrip in Abel Ferry’s gripping French scarefest that will definitely make you think twice about your next mountain climbing trip. In the film, a group of friends on vacation in Eastern Europe embark on an ambitious mountain expedition along a trail that they discover – way too late – is closed for repair. The thrill of this foolish challenge quickly turns sour as it becomes clear that not only is the path a lot more dangerous than they thought, but also that they are not alone. Fear exposes old traumas and brings up hidden emotions to the surface, and soon, everyone is fighting tooth-and-nail for their survival.
Red, White and Blue, directed by Simon Rumley
Erica (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER’s Amanda Fuller) is a tough, troubled nymphomaniac with wounds across her soul. For Erica, sleeping with multiple men forms the core of her life, until she meets the mysterious Iraq vet Nate (THE PROPOSITION’s Noah Taylor). Despite his quiet air of danger, Nate’s the only guy who doesn’t immediately want to sleep with her, and the two form a hesitant bond. But in a shocking twist, one of Erica’s earlier sexual encounters, with wannabe rock star Franki (Mark Senter), will have unexpected – and devastating – consequences on both of their lives.
Incidentally we caught the film at SXSW, and called it, “visceral, raw and shocking.” You can read the full review here.
Heartless, directed by Philip Ridley
The film follows Jamie Morgan (Sturgess), born with a disfiguring birthmark across his face, which leaves him an outcast in rough East London. While wandering abandoned yards taking photographs, he comes across a gang of thugs and soon discovers that they are something other than human. He then is led into a Faustian deal that will see him become a party to the terrifying chaos around him. Part DONNIE DARKO, part Guillermo del Toro, this dark urban tale takes its audience to the darkest and most violent corners of the human heart.
Primal, directed by Josh Reed
Primordial nature runs amuck in this expertly-played slice of neo-Ozploitation from Australian director Josh Reed. The film follows six friends on a field trip who set up camp in the remote wilderness of Australia. When one person takes a late-night skinny dip in a nearby waterhole, she becomes incredibly feverish and agitated, and soon regresses to a crazed predatory state in which her companions suddenly become the hunted. When another begins the same beastly transition, terror descends on the remainder as they realize it’s now kill or be killed
Additionally, IFC on demand will feature three movies from Fantastic Fest 2009.
Human Centipede, directed by Tom Six
The Good The Bad The Weird, directed by Kim Ji-Woon
Doghouse, directed by Jake West
Fantastic Fest runs September 23-30. Check with your cable provider to find out if you have IFC On Demand.
