FANTASIA 2021 FEST PREVIEW
Article by Adam Mast, Jeff Sanders, and John Pugh
The 2021 Fantasia International Film Festival is right around the corner! It should also be noted that this stellar showcase of genre films from all over the world is celebrating quite the milestone this August as Fantasia is turning 25! And even though the fest will be mostly online, no matter, because great films are great films! This is a wonderful opportunity for genre fans to dig in and watch as much as humanly possible. With this preview piece, our very own Adam Mast, Jeff Sanders, and John Pugh have put together a list of films they couldn’t be any more excited about at this year’s fest. Of course, these titles only scratch the surface. You’ll see that first hand by way of our extensive film coverage throughout Fantasia 25 here at Cinemast.net.
ADAM’S PICKS
FEATURES;
ALL THE MOONS
During a time of war in 1876 Spain, a young girl is horribly injured in an orphanage bombing. Thankfully, a mysterious woman comes to her rescue in what looks to be an elegant and surprisingly poignant take on a familiar horror mythology. Beyond looking absolutely gorgeous, this period film from director Igor Legerrata appears to be taking a more Guillermo del Toro approach to the world of monsters, and quite frankly, I couldn’t be any more excited about it.
See the trailer HERE
FRANK AND ZED
Two reanimated corpses depend on each other for survival in this medieval monster mash of epic proportions. Aside from the gore, the zany sense of humor and the weirdly affectionate tale of friendship, the big selling point for me is that this bad boy is being brought to life by way of puppetry. This is an art form that doesn’t get nearly enough love. From “Meet the Feebles” to “Team America,” I’m always down for a creative puppet movie, and “Frank and Zed” absolutely looks to fit the bill! And the fact that “Frank and Zed” is being endorsed by beloved filmmakers like Tom Holland (“Fright Night,” “Child’s Play”) certainly doesn’t hurt.
See the trailer HERE
KRATT
After tiring of day to day chores and after hearing a folklore tale from their sweet old grandmother, a group of countryside youngsters decide to summon a creature to do their work for them. As expected, things don’t go entirely as planned. “Kratt” looks like a European Amblin movie with bite and a ton of dark humor thrown in for good measure. It’s weird and offbeat to be sure but I suspect this thing is going to be funny, gruesome, and entertaining in a fittingly mean-spirited sort of way.
See the trailer HERE
OTHER FEATURES I’M ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO;
“ALIEN ON STAGE,” “BRAIN FREEZE,” “COMING HOME IN THE DARK,” “THE DEEP HOUSE,” “HELLBENDER,” “MAD GOD,” “MARTYRS LANE,” “THE SADNESS,” and “WOODLAND DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED.”
SHORTS;
THE LAST CHRISTMAS IN THE UNIVERSE
In a post-apocalyptic world gone to hell, cannibalism is the key to survival and Santa Claus is forced to use his toys as weapons. I love me a good holiday-inspired genre film and this one sounds too good to pass up.
LIL EVIL DEAD
It’s “Home Alone” meets “Evil Dead.” Who in their right mind wouldn’t be smitten with a kid-centric homage to Sam Raimi’s iconic slice of early 80s horror?
N.U.N.S. WITH NUNCHUCKS
You know you’re in for a big-time treat when the outlandish title “N.U.N.S. With Nunchucks” is the least strange thing about your short film. Honestly, they had me with the title but when I read the synopsis, I knew this would be a must-watch.
OTHER SHORTS I’M ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO;
“10-33,” “ARIA,” “THE EXORCISM,” “FACE,” “GIANT,” “IN THE SOIL,” “INCARNATION,” “KOREATOWN GHOST STORY,” “SEXY FURBY,” “SHINY NEW WORLD,” “URBAN MYTHS: TOOTH WORMS,” and “WORSE THAN THE DEMON.”
JEFF’S PICKS
FEATURES;
HELLBENDER
The Poser/Adams family blew my socks off with the super weird story of a mother’s grief after losing her daughter in “The Deeper You Dig.” “Hellbender” is their follow-up. It’s a sort of a fittingly weird, scary, haunting, coming-of-age fusion. I hear it’s also part musical. Whatever the hell that means, I’m sure it’ll be comparable to their previous work, which defies the conventional approach resulting in deeply personal observations on family.
MAD GOD
Phil Tippetts is the man behind “Mad God.” He is known primarily as the guy from the Dinosaur Supervisor meme to kids who grew up on Marvel crap. He is mostly known by me for his visual effects in “Robocop,” “Star Wars,” and “Starship Troopers.” What exactly is “Mad God”? It’s a personal work of stop-motion, 30 years in the making. Based on dreams, nightmares, and pure imagination. This is a film I have been following for years. I simply cannot wait to see it!
See the new Teaser Trailer HERE
SATOSHI KON: THE ILLUSIONIST
For most, Miyazaki is the anime gateway drug. For me, it was Kon. His surreal, dreamlike films are singular visions that still remain mostly unknown to Western audiences. This, despite the fact that the films “Requiem For a Dream” and “Inception” are essentially rip-offs of his work. This documentary is a much-needed insight into the individual auteur who left us far too soon. For fans new and old, this is a must-see!
SHORTS;
SEXY FURBY
I’ll be six feet under in the cold, damn ground the day I don’t watch a movie called “Sexy Furby.”
THUMB
It’s gothic meets Giallo in this scary-looking short written and directed by “Channel Zero” co-scribe, Alexandra Peachman.
And finally,…“Sexy Furby.”
Did I stutter?
JOHN’S PICKS
FEATURES;
FRANK AND ZED
Puppets and Horror? Why would this not be on everyone’s top-of-list to see this year? The film looks fun, creative, and bloody entertaining. “Frank and Zed” follows the friendship of two reanimated corpses, who have to battle a curse upon their home and lives. “Frank and Zed” was written and directed by Jesse Blanchard–who I haven’t heard of, but if this movie is what I am anticipating, then it’s a name I will be shouting from the rooftops.
See the trailer HERE
MIDNIGHT
I love a good thriller and though the idea of someone with a lack of sense has been done several times, this film looks as though it will do a great job of showing a new side to this horror film trope. Written and directed by Oh-Seung Kwon—- “Midnight” looks thrilling and I’m personally looking forward to what thrills and kills await us.
See the trailer HERE
THE DEEP HOUSE
Since I was a kid I’ve always been afraid of deep water–the mystery of not knowing what lurks beneath is just terrifying and this movie looks like it will amplify those fears. Though there is nothing that will dethrone the king that kept us out of the ocean, Spielberg‘s classic “Jaws,” “The Deep House” appears as though it will definitely make people afraid to swim in a lake. This film takes a different approach to the haunted house genre and I’m hoping for an underwater haunting that provides a truly terrifying experience. “The Deep House” is written and directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, the minds behind 2007’s horror thriller, “Inside.”
See the trailer HERE
OTHER FEATURES I’M ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO;
“PAUL DOOD’S DEADLY LUNCH BREAK,” “STRAWBERRY MANSION,” “KRATT,” “HELLBENDER,” “THE RIGHTEOUS,” “MAD GOD,” “ALL THE MOONS”
SHORTS;
THE TENANT (INQUILINA)
From the team that brought us 2019’s Fantasia short selection, “Bedtime Story,” not to be confused with Adam Sandler’s “Bedtime Stories”–though both carry an element of horror. Also to note that “Bedtime Story” is currently in production to be a feature film with horror guru Sam Raimi producing. There is very little revealed about “The Tenant” other than it follows the brilliant actress Belén Rueda of J.A. Bayona‘s fantastic haunting ghost drama The Orphanage (2007.)
See the teaser trailer HERE
THE RELIC
I love a good Lovecraftian film…when it’s done right. With “The Relic” making its way through some of the best Horror Genre Festivals in 2020 and taking home several Best of awards, I think it’s safe to say I don’t want to miss this one.
See the teaser trailer HERE
TIMOTHY
A short diving into schizophrenia with the hopes it really digs in deep and gets under my skin.
See the teaser trailer HERE
OTHER SHORTS I’M ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO;
“THUMB,” “10-33,” “SANG TROUBLE,” “SISTERS (SOEURS)
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