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| The Green Inferno by Midnight Madness staple Eli Roth |
The line-up was announced at TIFF Bell Lightbox last night following a free screening of the popular 2006 Midnight Madness film All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, which is finally making its way to audiences(ish) after seven years of distribution purgatory. This year’s round of Madness kicks off with All Cheerleaders Die, by Lucky McKee (director of May) and Chris Sivertson (Razzie-winning director of I Know Who Killed Me aka the notorious Lindsay Lohan bomb of 2007). Oscar prospects, these films are not, but the beach ball bumping crowd at Ryerson’s 11:59 pm screenings knows how to have a good time. (Lasy year's Midnight Madness crowned Seven Psychopaths the People's Choice for the programme.)
Also in the line-up is a new film from Midnight Madness regular Eli Roth and the Canadian co-pro Afflicted. Only nine of the ten Midnight Madness titles have been announced. Any thoughts about what the straggler might be?
UPDATE: TIFF offered a double dose of the sick and twisted today, as it also announced the films in the Vanguard programme, TIFF's avant-garde line-up, which is kind of like Midnight Madness for the art house crowd. (See below)
MIDNIGHT MADNESS FILMS
Opening Night Film:
All Cheerleaders Die
Lucky McKee, Chris Sivertson, USA, World Premiere
When tragedy rocks Blackfoot High, rebellious outsider Mäddy Killian shocks the student body by joining the cheerleading squad. This decision drives a rift between Mäddy and her ex-girlfriend Leena Miller — a loner who claims to practice the dark arts. After a confrontation with the football team, Mäddy and her new cheerleader friends are sent on a supernatural roller coaster ride which leaves a path of destruction none of them may be able to escape.
When tragedy rocks Blackfoot High, rebellious outsider Mäddy Killian shocks the student body by joining the cheerleading squad. This decision drives a rift between Mäddy and her ex-girlfriend Leena Miller — a loner who claims to practice the dark arts. After a confrontation with the football team, Mäddy and her new cheerleader friends are sent on a supernatural roller coaster ride which leaves a path of destruction none of them may be able to escape.
Afflicted
Derek Lee and Clif Prowse, Canada/USA, World Premiere
Best friends Derek and Clif set out on a trip of a lifetime. Their plan: travel to the ends of the earth, see the world, and live life to the fullest. But the trip soon takes a dark and bloody turn. Just days in, one of the men shows signs of a mysterious affliction which gradually takes over his entire body and being. Now, thousands of miles from home, in a foreign land, they must race to uncover the source of his illness before it consumes him completely. Footage of their travels meant to document pleasant memories may now become evidence of one of the most shocking discoveries ever captured on film…and may be their only postcard home.
Almost Human
Best friends Derek and Clif set out on a trip of a lifetime. Their plan: travel to the ends of the earth, see the world, and live life to the fullest. But the trip soon takes a dark and bloody turn. Just days in, one of the men shows signs of a mysterious affliction which gradually takes over his entire body and being. Now, thousands of miles from home, in a foreign land, they must race to uncover the source of his illness before it consumes him completely. Footage of their travels meant to document pleasant memories may now become evidence of one of the most shocking discoveries ever captured on film…and may be their only postcard home.
Almost Human
Joe Begos, USA, World Premiere
Mark Fisher disappeared from his home in a brilliant flash of blue light almost two years ago. His friend Seth Hampton was the last to see him alive. Now a string of grisly, violent murders leads Seth to believe that Mark is back, and something evil is living inside of him.
The Green Inferno
Mark Fisher disappeared from his home in a brilliant flash of blue light almost two years ago. His friend Seth Hampton was the last to see him alive. Now a string of grisly, violent murders leads Seth to believe that Mark is back, and something evil is living inside of him.
The Green Inferno
Eli Roth, USA, World Premiere
How far would you go for a cause you believe in? In horror master Eli Roth’s terrifying new film, a group of college students take their humanitarian protest from New York to the Amazon jungle, only to get kidnapped by the native tribe they came to save: a tribe that still practices the ancient rite of cannibalism, and has a healthy appetite for intruders.
Oculus
How far would you go for a cause you believe in? In horror master Eli Roth’s terrifying new film, a group of college students take their humanitarian protest from New York to the Amazon jungle, only to get kidnapped by the native tribe they came to save: a tribe that still practices the ancient rite of cannibalism, and has a healthy appetite for intruders.
Oculus
Mike Flanagan, USA, World Premiere
Oculus is a spine-chilling supernatural tale of two damaged siblings (Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites) who, as children, witnessed their parents' harrowing descent into madness and murder. At long last, brother and sister reunite as adults to expose and destroy the paranormal entity they believe is responsible: the Lasser Glass — a legendary mirror their family once owned.
R100
Oculus is a spine-chilling supernatural tale of two damaged siblings (Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites) who, as children, witnessed their parents' harrowing descent into madness and murder. At long last, brother and sister reunite as adults to expose and destroy the paranormal entity they believe is responsible: the Lasser Glass — a legendary mirror their family once owned.
R100
Hitoshi Matsumoto, Japan World Premiere
An ordinary man with an ordinary life joins a mysterious club. The membership lasts for one year only and there is one rule: no cancellation under any circumstance. The man enters into an entirely new and exciting world which he has never before experienced.
Rigor Mortis
An ordinary man with an ordinary life joins a mysterious club. The membership lasts for one year only and there is one rule: no cancellation under any circumstance. The man enters into an entirely new and exciting world which he has never before experienced.
Rigor Mortis
Juno Mak, Hong Kong North American Premiere
Juno Mak’s debut feature Rigor Mortis is an eerie and chilling, contemporary action- and special effects-laden homage to the classic Chinese vampire movies of the 1980s. Starring Chin Siu-Ho, Kara Hui, Anthony Chan, Lo Hoi Pang and Richard Ng.
The Station (Blutgletscher)
Juno Mak’s debut feature Rigor Mortis is an eerie and chilling, contemporary action- and special effects-laden homage to the classic Chinese vampire movies of the 1980s. Starring Chin Siu-Ho, Kara Hui, Anthony Chan, Lo Hoi Pang and Richard Ng.
The Station (Blutgletscher)
Marvin Kren, Austria,
World Premiere
At a climate research station in the Alps, the scientists are stunned as the nearby melting glacier is leaking a red liquid. It quickly turns to be very special juice — with unexpected genetic effects on the local wildlife.
Why Don't You Play in Hell? (Jigoku de Naze Warui)
At a climate research station in the Alps, the scientists are stunned as the nearby melting glacier is leaking a red liquid. It quickly turns to be very special juice — with unexpected genetic effects on the local wildlife.
Why Don't You Play in Hell? (Jigoku de Naze Warui)
Sion Sono, Japan North American Premiere
Two men, Muto and Ikegami, hate each other. Muto desperately wants to help his daughter Mitsuko star in a movie. Meanwhile, Ikegami falls in love with Mitsuko, knowing that she's the daughter of his foe. Hirata, a filmmaker, and Koji, a young movie-lover, get dragged into this complicated situation that heads into an unexpected direction.
Two men, Muto and Ikegami, hate each other. Muto desperately wants to help his daughter Mitsuko star in a movie. Meanwhile, Ikegami falls in love with Mitsuko, knowing that she's the daughter of his foe. Hirata, a filmmaker, and Koji, a young movie-lover, get dragged into this complicated situation that heads into an unexpected direction.
VANGUARD FILMS:
Blue Ruin
Jeremy Saulnier, USA, North American Premiere
A classic American revenge story, Blue Ruin follows a
mysterious outsider whose quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Finding himself in a brutal fight to protect
his estranged family, he proves to be an amateur assassin. Starring Macon Blair.
Borgman
Alex van Warmerdam, The Netherlands/Belgium/Denmark, North
American Premiere
Borgman is the central character in Alex van Warmerdam’s
dark, malevolent fable. Is he a dream or a demon, a twisted allegory or an all-too-real
embodiment of our fears? Borgman is a sinister arrival in the sealed-off
streets of modern suburbia. His presence unleashes a crowing gallery of
distortion around the careful façade constructed by an arrogant, comfortable
couple, their three children and nanny. Starring Jan Bijoet, Jeroen Perceval
and Hadewych Minis.
Celestial Wives of the Meadow Mari
Alexey Fedorchenko, Russia, Canadian Premiere
Comprised of 23 vignettes illuminating the pagan
-influenced mores of western Russia’s Meadow Mari, the
latest film from director Alexey Fedorchenko (Silent Souls) is a beguiling,
painterly portrait of a culture driven by a ritualistic appreciation of female
beauty and feminine sexuality.
The Fake
Yeon Sang-ho, Korea, World Premiere
A rural village is determined to be submerged and its
residents are compensated for relocation. A swindler named Choi deceives the poor
villagers with false religion to make them give up their compensations as
church offerings. Min-chul, an infamous local good-for-nothing waster,
discovers the truth, but he is unable to convince anyone; especially against
Reverend Sung, who is revered by the people, but who in fact is someone Choi
scouted to serve his purpose. When Min-chul’s own faithful daughter is forced
into prostitution by these fakes, he sets out to get even.
Horns
Alexandre Aja, USA, World Premiere
Horns, a supernatural thriller driven by dark comedy,
mystery and romance follows Ignatius Perrish as he awakens after a hard night
of drinking to find he has grown a pair of horns. In addition to his devilish
appearance, the horns cause people to fall into a trance and voice their most unspeakable thoughts, an
effective tool in Ig’s quest to discover the truth of his girlfriend's murder. Starring
Juno Temple and Daniel Radcliffe.
People In Places (Gente En Sitios)
Juan Cavestany, Spain, World Premiere
This kaleidoscopic film weaves together approximately 20
fragmented scenarios that offer a view of contemporary Spain, drawing conclusions
about the persistence of the human condition, strangeness, and the chaos within
relationships. Starring Raul Arevalo, Eduard Fernandez and Santiago Segura.
Proxy
Zack Parker, USA, World Premiere
While walking home from her latest OB appointment, a very
pregnant Esther Woodhouse is brutally attacked and disfigured by a hooded
assailant. This horrible event seems to be a blessing in disguise when Esther
finds consolation in a support group. Her life of sadness and solitude is
opened up to friendship, understanding, and even acceptance. However,
friendship and understanding can be very dangerous things when accepted by the
wrong people.
The Sacrament
Ti West, USA, North American Premiere
From acclaimed writer/director Ti West (The House of the
Devil, The Innkeepers) and horror master Eli Roth (Hostel), The Sacrament follows
two Vice media correspondents as they set out to document their friend's search
to find his missing sister. They travel outside of the United States to an
undisclosed location where they are welcomed into the world of "Eden Parish,"
a self-sustained rural utopia comprised of nearly 200 members. At the centre of
this small, religious, socialist community is a mysterious leader known only as
"Father." As their friend reunites with his sister, it becomes
apparent to the newcomers that this paradise
may not be as it seems. What started as just another documentary shoot soon becomes
a race to escape with their lives. Starring: Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Kentucker Audley, Amy
Seimetz and Gene Jones.
Sapi
Brillante Mendoza, Philippines, World Premiere
With the rival station Philippine Broadcasting Channel (PBC)
eating up the TV audiences' major share, Sarimanok Broadcasting Network (SBN) needs a miracle to stay alive in
the competition. In these mad and fearful times, SBN's news team finds that documenting an actual spiritual possession
would be their only hope.
Sex, Drugs & Taxation (Spies & Glistrup)
Christoffer Boe, Denmark, International Premiere
Sex, Drugs & Taxation is based on the true story about
the spectacular friendship between two of
the most notorious and provocative men in 1960s Denmark: the eccentric lawyer-turned-politician,
Mogens Glistrup, and the 'travel king', millionaire, womanizer and public provocateur,
Simon Spies. Starring Pilou Asbæk, Nicolas Bro and Jesper Christensen.
Soul
Chung Mong-Hong, Taiwan, International Premiere
A-Chuan, a quiet 30-year-old man working as a chef in a Japanese restaurant, collapses suddenly and is rushed to a hospital. His colleagues
send him to his father , who resides in the mountains. While there, A-Chuan
becomes immobile: he won’t speak, eat or even go to the toilet on his own. One
day his father returns from work only to find A-Chuan sitting in the corner
with his daughter lying dead in a pool
of blood. In an unfamiliar, eerily calm voice, A-Chuan says, “I saw this body
was empty, so I moved in.”
The Strange Color of Your Body’s Tears
Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, Belgium/France/Luxembourg, North
American Premiere
A woman vanishes. Her husband inquires into the strange
circumstances of her disappearance. Did she leave him? Is she dead? As he continues
his search, he plunges into a world of nightmare and violence... Starring Klaus Tange, Jean- Michel Vovk, Sylvia Camarda, Sam Louwyck
and Anna D’Annunzio.
Onur Ünlü, Turkey, North American Premiere
Man is created of anxiety.—Euripides
In asmall Anatolian town, life goes on: Cemal is an
assistant referee in football matches; Yasemin works on a farm; and Defne is a street vendor who sells books. In this town
with two suns and three full moons in the sky, Cemal — who has the ability to see through the walls—has no expectations out
of life, and looks for a way out with Yasemin—who can move objects with her
fingers. However, Defne, who can freeze time, will muddle things up, andYasemin's
immoral boss' actions will contradict the invisible elementary school teacher's
advice, who is trying to eliminate the worries of Cemal. Thou Gild'st the Even is
a black and white film about
the ordinary sorrows, worries and
troubles of townspeople with
extraordinary abilities.
We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Simon Hawkins and Zeke Hawkins,USA World Premiere
With only three weeks left until his two best friends leave
for college, Billy Joe robs his cotton farmer boss, Giff, in order to pay for
one last blow-out weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas. Arriving home from the
weekend, the teens find the consequences of Billy Joe’s actions brutal. Now
Billy Joe, Bobby, and Sue will be taken on a ride that will test love,
heartbreak, trust, and crossing that permanent line from adolescence into
adulthood.
