In a week’s time, the 2015 edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival will begin in Montreal. For the first time, I will be making the trip to check out the festival, which runs from July 14 to August 4. I will be in Montreal from July 18-25 and will see what will ultimately be a very small percentage of the 135 features and 300 shorts that will be screening.
Here are some select highlights of films that will be playing during this year’s Fantasia Film Festival.
Ant-Man – Peyton Reed, USA (Quebec Premiere)
Mere days before the latest Marvel film opens in wide release, Fantasia will be screening Ant-Man on its opening night. I won’t be seeing this at the festival, though I’ll probably see the film just before leaving for Montreal.
The Hallow – Corin Hardy, Ireland (Canadian Premiere)
This Irish horror film looks to be quite scary. Shame that it screens before I arrive.
Roar – Noel Marshall, USA (Retro)
Roar has been screening weekly at the Royal Cinema here in Toronto for the last few months and it is really a film that needs to be seen to believed. Despite my love of horror movies, this film caused me to jump on many occasions.
Cooties – Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, USA (Canadian Premiere)
I’m really kicking myself that I just barely miss seeing this zombie comedy, which I am quite looking forward to eventually watching.
Deathgasm – Jason Lei Howden, New Zealand (Canadian Premiere)
There’s been a lot of good horror/comedies coming out of New Zealand recently and Deathgasm looks to be no exception, with the film looking to be a mix of ultra-gory violence and heavy metal.
Possessed – Samuel Ortí Martí, Spain (North American Premiere)
A Spanish, stop motion, exorcism comedy. ‘Nuff said!
We Are Still Here – Ted Geoghegan, USA (Canadian Premiere)
A haunted house film starring Barbara Crampton. I’m in!
Synchronicity – Jacob Gentry, USA (World Premiere)
A time travel science fiction plot and Michael Ironside is all I need to know about this one.
JeruZalem – Yoav Paz and Doron Paz, Israel (World Premiere)
Apocalyptic horror set in Jerusalem. Looks interesting.
Turbo Kid – François Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell, Canada (Canadian Premiere)
This is arguably the most anticipated film to play at Fantasia this year and I am really hoping that I get a chance to see it.
Ju-On: The Final Curse – Masayuki Ochiai, Japan (International Premiere)
It’s kind of hard to believe that there have been over seven entries in the Ju-On J-horror series, mostly because I’ve only seen the 2002 original and it’s North American remake The Grudge. That said, I’m quite stoked for this supposed final Ju-On film. If I have time, I might try to locate and catch up with last year’s Ju-On: The Beginning of the End.
Tales of Halloween – Neil Marshall, Lucky McKee, Darren Lynn Bousman, John Skipp, Andrew Kasch, Mike Mendez, Ryan Schifrin, Paul Solet, Axelle Carolyn, Dave Parker, and Adam Gierasch, USA (World Premiere)
This ten filmmaker anthology will likely be the final film I see while in Montreal and I can think of no better way to conclude my inaugural Fantasia experience.
Bunny the Killer Thing – Joonas Makkonen, Finland (North American Premiere)
I saw the trailer for this and….it’s going to push some buttons.
The Demolisher – Gabriel Carrer, Canada (World Premere)
A dark and intense-looking thriller, which probably shouldn’t be missed.
That wraps up my selected highlights of films playing at Fantasia this year. There will also be Quebec premieres of some films that I have previous seen at Toronto festivals, such as Shrew’s Nest, The Editor, and Raiders!. I plan on re-posting my reviews of those films as part of my overall Fantasia coverage.
It is only ten days until I make the trip into Montreal for my first ever Fantasia Film Festival. I’ll see you then!