Toronto has been known for the Toronto International Film Festival, but the real heart of horror films has been for the last number of years, The Toronto After Dark Film Festival.
This festival in the past has been resposible for being one of the few if not only screenings of movies like The Mutant Chroncles, and Let the Right One In. If you are in the Toronto area in mid August, you should check it out!
For you Horror Whores out there, Adam Lopez who directs the festival has the lineup announced today at the Official Toronto After Dark website:
TRICK ‘R’ TREAT
Michael Dougherty, USA, Toronto Premiere
“An Instant Cult Classic” – Bloody-Disgusting
Four creepy crowd-pleasing stories intersect in this hugely anticipated feature, set on the night of Halloween. From Producer Bryan Singer (X-MEN, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, VALKYRIE) and starring TRUE BLOOD’s Anna Paquin and Brian Cox (MANHUNTER, BOURNE SUPREMACY).
Winner, Audience Award – Los Angeles ScreamFestGRACE
Paul Solet, Canada, Toronto Premiere
“The movie you need to see to restore your faith in the horror genre” – Dread Central
From Producer Adam Green (HATCHET) comes this creepy and shocking tale of one very desperate woman as she tries to satisfy the needs of her very special newborn baby, that will only eat…. human blood!
Official Selection – Sundance Film FestivalVAMPIRE GIRL VS FRANKENSTEIN GIRL
Yoshihiro Nishimura, Japan, Toronto Premiere
“A supergory collision between schoolgirls and the undead” – Fangoria
Hysterical and bloody, this one of a kind romantic horror comedy about two dueling dead girls at a high school is from the same deliriously warped Japanese minds that gave us last year’s Toronto After Dark Festival hit TOKYO GORE POLICE and the upcoming ROBOGEISHA whose recently released trailer has become a viral video sensation!
Official Selection – New York Asian Film FestivalFRANKLYN
Gerald McMorrow, UK, North American Premiere
“Ambitious and original British fantasy filmmaking” – Total Sci-Fi
A stunningly original feature that blends three tales of human drama in present day London with another set in a fantastic futuristic steampunk world. Stars Ryan Phillipe (CRUEL INTENTIONS) and Eva Green (CASINO ROYALE).
Official Selection – London Film FestivalTHE FORBIDDEN DOOR
“Twisted and gleefully bizarre…fans of David Lynch and Alejandro Jodorowsky this is one for you” – Quiet Earth
Joko Anwar, Indonesia, Canadian Premiere
From the genius mind of Joko Anwar (DEAD TIME: KALA) Indonesia’s current master of genre cinema, comes this dark hypnotic thriller about an increasingly mentally unstable artist trying to uncover several dark secrets including what lurks in his new house, behind a mysterious door.
Official Selection – Dead by Dawn Film FestivalEMBODIMENT OF EVIL
“Impressive with striking hallucinogenic effects and bizarre bloody visions” –Beyond Hollywood
José Mojica Marins, Brazil, Toronto Premiere
After a 40-year hiatus, José Mojica Marins returns to direct and portray the character that has made him a Brazilian horror icon, the notorious Coffin Joe. In this latest tale featuring the psychotic undertaker, Joe is released after many years in prison, only to continue with his eternal, bloody rampage to find the perfect woman to carry his seed.
Official Selection – Venice Film FestivalBLACK
Pierre Laffargue, France, Toronto Premiere
“A modern update of Shaft in Africa…gloriously lunatic…nearly continuous action” – Cinematical
A crowd-pleasing action-packed throwback to cult classic Blaxploitation cinema, BLACK follows one charismatic criminal’s quest to steal a horde of African diamonds against impossible odds that include Russian mercenaries and a supernatural witch doctor! Starring MC Jean Gab (DISTRICT B13).
Official Selection – SXSW Film FestivalSOMEONE’S KNOCKING AT THE DOOR
Chad Ferrin, USA, Canadian Premiere
“Rarely been so delighted by a movie so depraved” – TwitchFilm
In this hypnotic throwback to psychedelic horror from the 70s, a group of medical students find themselves facing a double-peril on campus: fending off a depraved serial killer while dealing with terrifying hallucinations caused after ingesting experimental drugs. Stars indie genre rising star Noah Segan (BRICK, DEADGIRL)
Official Selection – Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
Looks like another stellar year of films. I really want to see Vampire Girl VS Frankenstein Girl!
The Toronto After Dark Film Festival runs this August from the 14-21. You can get more info on tickets and showtimes at the Toronto After Dark website
