SA Horrorfest at the Labia

From 29 October to 6 November 2009 at the Labia Theatre (Orange St, Cape Town), expect a myriad of rare-, classic- and indie movies, plus (over six hours of) short films (across three collections) on the big screen; special pre-release screenings of two new cinematic releases; Halloween dress-up; a live soundtrack performed to the screening of a silent horror/chiller by The Makabra Ensemble (consisting of members from Tterminatryx, Lark and other talented special guests), a new literary addition;and, of course, cool prizes and giveaways (including a sizable production prize for the best locally produced short flick).

Horrorfest V special guest

Unfortunately due to pre-production work on his current project, the months of planning and co-ordinating to get An American Werewolf In London director John Landis to attend the festival with his classic film did not work out. The movie will still be screened, but we are awaiting word from his publicists on the chances of a Skye link-up with him after the screening of American Werewolf on Sunday, 1 November.

The movies

Since its genesis, the Horrorfest has screened a wide range of chilling movies from around the globe including the US, UK, Germany, Australia, Finland, Spain, Canada, Pakistan, Italy etc, with everything from vampires and zombies, to ghosts, aliens and madmen. While not limited to this theme, the 2009 Horrorfest is set to be the year of the Werewolf!

The full line-up includes:

• Pandorum: the sneak preview of this Sci-Fi/Horror movie (starring Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster) will open the festival.
  
• Zombieland: starring Woody Harrelson (arrive like a zombie and win cool stuff).
  
• Strigol: a phenomenal take on the vampire myth, shot in Romania where many of these beliefs still run very strong.
  
• TMA (The Mystery Address): an amazingly atmospheric piece with an artist returning to his childhood home where the dark and lethal secrets literally boil to the surface.
  
• Colin: an innovative zombie movie from the UK with an interesting twist - it is seen from the zombie's perspective!
  
• Bikini Girls On Ice: throws together two key ingredients of the classic slasher film, girls and a madman!
  
• I Know How Many Runs You Scored Last Summer: features Miss Nude Australia, Arianna Starr, in a cameo.
  
• The Human Centipede: is an shockingly original and disturbing take on the demented doctor theme.(Stars German superstar Dieter Laser.)
  
• The Shadow Realm Short Film Collection: will again feature an amazing array from here and abroad, across three feature-length chapters.
  
• This year's live soundtrack performance to a silent classic will be for the 1925 Italian underworld epic, Maciste In Hell (Maciste all'inferno), performed by members of Terminatryx and Lark, now cumulatively known as The Makabre Ensemble.
  
• Die-Ner (get-it?): is a horror-comedy of errors. When a killer makes a diner his new slaying ground, he is faced with the dilemma of his victims refusing to stay dead! Features South African-born actress Maria Olsen.
  
• Wicked World: will have its world premier at Horrorfest V. Shot on 16mm, this movie started its journey in the 1990s and was completed just before the festival.
  
• Family Demons: sees an abused teenager murdering her alcoholic mother, but the parent's vengeful spirit returns to haunt her.
  
• The Blood Ape: represents the grindhouse-underground-trash contingent, celebrating 1970s' exploitation in all its gory glory as an escaped ape wreaks havoc.
  
• The Human Centipede (First Sequence): This shocking and highly original movie depicts a demented surgeon's psychotic plan to realise his unspeakable creation. Prepare yourself!Starring German superstar Dieter Laser.
  
• Werewolf of Washington: a reporter is sent to Hungary where he's bitten by a werewolf. He also happens to be having an affair with the US President's daughter!
  
• Blood Night: The Legend Of Mary Hachet: a haunting urban legend materialises with a group of teenagers celebrating a bloody anniversary. Stars Bill Moseley (from The Devil's Rejects) and is the 2009 Shockerfest winner.
  
• The Werewolf Woman: is said to be based on "a true story so brutal and horrifying it was kept from the public for over a century!"

Screening times will be released shortly (posted first at www.HORRORFEST.info, and will incl. more extensive movie info).