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24th July 2008.

Well I must say that once again Paul, Ian and Alan have made it very easy to curse living on the other side of the world over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The Frightfest line up is a bonza selection of gory delights. I must say I was thrilled to see that one of my favourites of the Sydney Film Festival is showing; Tomas Alfredson’s Let the Right One In. I loved this film! Based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist; the film is gripping from beginning to chilling end. Subtlety using ideas and motifs from many classics of the vampire genre but redefining them against the chilling, snow covered vistas of the Swedish countryside. The film brings fresh blood to often the staid and predictable recent forays into the genre. The two lead characters young age only adds to the frisson; you don’t normally see twelve year old girls caked in blood and leaping from trees to sink their teeth into their latest victim. Frightfest..you are in for a treat.

I can’t complain too much however, as July is sharing up to be a fine month indeed. I’ll be interviewing a slew of Aussie cult talent in the lead up to the release of Not Quite Hollywood. As well as director Mark Hartley, I’ll be interviewing many of the faces that gave the world Ozploitation. (You can thank Tarantino for the name) I’ll be chatting to Brian Trenchard Smith – the director of Turkey Shoot, The Man From Hong Kong and Dead End Drive-In, Everett La Roche – the writer of Long Weekend and Patrick, Rod Hay – producer of Night of Fear and Inn of the Damned and Grant Page – the stunt man who made many of the films looks so good. The film was edited by Jamie Blanks who you will all know from last years Frightfest screening of Storm Warning. I’ll also be arranging an interview with Hugh Keays-Bryne who played Toecutter in Mad Max and the chief biker bad guy in Stone. A who’s who of Aussie cult icons, I must say I’m very much looking forward to talking to them all. The film, which is opening the Melbourne International Film Festival, is an absolutely fantastic documentary, check out
www.notquitehollywood.com.au for the trailer and you’ll get a taste of what to expect.

Talking of MIFF, as it’s known down under, I’ll be heading down to the Victorian capital for the opening to catch a few screenings and to interview the guest of honour…Mr George. A. Romero. He’ll be heading to Oz to promote the long overdue Aussie premiere of Diary of the Dead and a career overview at the festival including rare screenings of Martin and Jack’s wife along with the usual zombie filled delights. It’s an exciting prospect seeing some of his more obscure films on the big screen. As well as Mr Romero I’ll be chatting to Rusty Nails about his documentary on the great man’s career Dead On: The Life and Cinema of George. A. Romero. I’ll also be meeting up with Olly Blackburn, the director of Donkey Punch. The full line up is up at the MIFF website.

That about wraps things up for now so until next time,

Be Lucky

Dave.

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