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24th July 2008
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26th October 2008.

Well after a bit of an absence to get married I’m back and raring to go. Well there has been plenty going on in Sydney over the last couple of months and whist not reaching the dizzy heights of Frightfest and the ICA all nighter, there has been plenty to keep me busy down under.

When Alan called Frightfest “a globally recognized brand” in his latest blog he certainly knew what he was talking about. It goes to show you how well loved the festival has now become when you are talking to filmmakers on the other side of the world and their eyes light up when you mention our horror filled Bank Holiday weekend. When interviewing George Romero and Christopher Smith in Australia, both had nothing but fabulous memories of the festival. As mentioned on my previous blog Romero was in Melbourne for the city’s film festival and a career retrospective. I was lucky enough to get some one-on-one time with the legend who obviously loved being down under. Indeed the zombie hoards were out in force for the Australian premiere of Diary of the Dead and gave their hero a rapturous response after a fabulous Q&A session.

I interviewed Smith on the set of Triangle; his new horror thriller that has just wrapped shooting on the Warners lot on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The film is a further step up for the director although he promises that the dark humour and bloody fun of his previous films will still shine through. The plot of this twisting tale of murder and intrigue on the high seas is under wraps so we are sworn to secrecy but the glimpses into the storyline that Smith gave us have certainly whetted the appetite. You’ll be hearing more closer to the time of the film’s release although Smith did state he hoped to be popping in to the festival so hopefully you managed to prise some gory details out of him. The sunshine State certainly didn’t live up to its name while we were there as the whole region was hit by torrential rain and storms. Even so we braved the elements to headed to Surfers Paradise with producer Chris Brown to walk upon the liner set that had been built on the end of a sea wall at the far edge of the beach. The full size front half of the ship enabled Smith and his crew to shoot exteriors on the boat without having to resort to CGI oceans. It’s always thrilling to see horror films made on this scale.

At the other end of the spectrum is the Sydney Underground Film Festival. Now entering its sophomore year there were a few potentially interesting horror titles amongst the usual selection of oddities and cult classics. Peter Koller’s On Evil Grounds was given its Australian premiere. The film promised Sergio Leone meets Tom and Jerry, inviting the audience to take a twisted journey into a land of pain and sadistic joy, inhabited by perverted serial killers, sexist machos and a psychotic femme fatale. Also on the agenda was Quality Time; a serial killer black comedy eleven years in the making starring Corin Nemec from the US sitcom Parker Can’t Lose and Dressed to Kill and Carrie star Nancy Allen. Shot a decade ago but only recently edited together the film follows the sorry life of Stewart Savage; a man who strangles all his girlfriends despite seeming to live an idyllic lifestyle. Add to these screenings of new films by the likes of Larry Clark and an unexpected appearance by a new work by Anthony Hopkins, not the sort of name you expect to see at an underground film festival and you have a suitably eclectic line-up. My highlight was an old favourite, a screening of John Waters Polyester starring Divine. It's the first, and only, film to be shot in Odorama and Scratch & Sniff cards and the frantically scratched fingers brought a delightfully pungent air to proceedings. If SUFF has happened then MUFF can’t be far away. The Melbourne Underground Film Festival features screenings of Jon Hewitt’s Acolytes, Dead Girl and Reel Zombies along with a selection of shorts presented by Sydney’s A Night of Horror team. Also recently announced is The Hub of Horror, a horror convention taking place in Melbourne with guest appearances by Robert Englund, Brad Douriff, TonyTodd and Jeffrey Combs, all making will be stepping on Australian soil for the first time.

Finally Sydney’s Chauvel Cinema screened a slew of Ozploitation classics tying in with the release of Not Quite Hollywood and I’m very excited that the cinema is screening Crispin Glover’s What is It? and It Is Fine! Everything is fine!! Both nights will be hosted by the great man himself and feature book readings, screenings, Q&As and signings. I also interviewed Glover who proved to be a fascinating and driven filmmaker so hopes are high for a couple of entertaining evenings

Well that’s it Australia wise, until next time

Be luck.
Dave.

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