Must See at Fantasia 2019
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Can it already be Fantasia season? Yes it is. The beloved film festival that showcases genre films of all lengths is about to start this week. Believe it or not, a number of films have sold out already. But, with 130+ to choose from, there’s plenty still to see.
Sadako
Japan’s answer to Stephen King, Hideo Nakata best known for the genre defining Ringu film, comes with Sadako. Psychologist Mayu goes looking for her lost brother after he films a video at the ruins of an amnesiac patient’s house. Horror. Horror. Horror. Don’t sleep alone after seeing this one. Showings July 11, 6:30 p.m., July 18 12:30 p.m.
Sons of Denmark
While Scandinavia is often identified as paradise on Earth, they sure manage to produce some dark fiction. It must be the smoked salmon. In this thriller, a young radicalized man strikes out against a far-right organization, the Sons of Denmark. His plan to attack does not go as planned. Showing July 12 at 12:15 and July 13 at 9:30 p.m.
Vivarium
This hit from Cannes is like a Twilight Zone episode .Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots are left in a housing development from which they can’t escape. With descriptions of weird and comparisons with David Cronenberg, Ray Bradbury, and Roald Dahl, this is sure to be both creepy and meaningful. Also funny. Showings July 12, 9:30 p.m.
Culture Shock
It’s hard not to pick this one in wake of recent events. Streaming TV channel Hulu and Blumhouse have collaborated to create a horror film every month. Culture Shock is for the Fourth of July and covers the arrival of a Mexican immigrant into America. Her disorienting journey is not a simple border crossing, and she finds herself as part of something rather sinister and dark. This allegorical piece touches upon not just being an immigrant but also fears for how inhumane people can be. Showing July 25 at 9:45 p.m.
The Island of Cats
Someone must have tapped into venn diagram of cat loving and Fantasia goers who meow in excited anticipation at the start of every film. The Island of Cats actually doesn’t seem remotely horrific, but rather a feel good film about a cat who lives with fishermen and retirees when some new cats first arrive. This film is adopted from Nekomaki’s same-named manga, and directed by wildlife photographer Mitsuaki Iwago. Showing July 28, 2:15 p.m.
Chiwawa
A staple of the Japanese film industry is the tale of an adolescent/young man obsessed with a bad woman. Chiwawa fits that bill, except that the obsessed friend is a young woman, Miki, trying to figure out what has happened to her charismatic friend Chiwawa. Chiwawa, though seems to have been up to no good — theft and prostitution. Showings July 12 9:45 p.m. and July 15 4:25 p.m.
Money
Park Noo-ri’s film has Il Hyun, a low-level stockbroker from a Seoul financial firm lusting after good old money. With a tip from a source known as “The Ticket”, Il Hyun finds himself cashing in, at least until an investigation starts. When stockbrokers turn up dead and owing a commission to “The Ticket” who tipped him off to the golden fortune, Il Hyun now has to hope a few hurdles. Showing July 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Fantasia films mostly play at Concordia University, but a few others will take place the Cinémathèque Québécoise, the McCord Museum, the Imperial CInema, and Cinema du Musée. Tickets are on sale at the Sir George Williams University Alumni Auditorium box office (1455, Maisonneuve boul. West) and on the Ticketpro network. Single tickets are $11 (taxes and fees included) with booklets of 10 and 20 tickets are available at the cost of $100 and $180 respectively (taxes and fees included). Info HERE.
