The Forbidden Play – Hideo Nakata - 110’- (Jap) CF/OE – horror, fantástico, v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

Images of a happy family. The young son shows his father the severed tail of a lizard. Following his advice, the boy buries the tail, hoping it will bring the animal back alive. But nothing is as simple when the mother dies and the son repeats the proceedings. A curious young woman director is going to investigate what is going on with that family and discovers there is nothing usual about it. Mysterious and scary as only the Japanese can be, this is the latest feature of celebrated multi-awarded director Hideo Nakata of “The Ring” fame.

Hideo Nakata

One of the most famous horror directors, he directed “The Ring” (1998), considered by the Guardian as one of the 100 Best Films of All times, and winner of the Brussels and Sitges festivals. He also directed “Ring 2” (1999) and “Dark Water” (2002), winner of the Silver RavenIn the Brussels Festival. In Cannes he presented “Chatroom” in 2010. With 11 international awards, his films were primed in Chicago, Gérardmer, Fantasia in Canada, and Puchon in South Korea.

 

The Floor Plan – Junichi Ishikawa -110´- (Japão) CF/OE- ANTESTREIA MUNDIAL- horror fantástico, v.o., leg ingl, leg port

Amemiya is a Youtuber specialized in the occult. When his manager brings him the floor plan of a house, he notices that the house has rooms that suggest something very strange has happened there or that someone was hidden there. Who? Why? The imagination runs loose. In the meantime, the neighbours tell strange stories. And then a woman contacts the Youtuber. Together they are going to solve the mystery. Japanese horror at its best.

 

All You Need Is Blood -Cooper Roberts- EUA 100’ CF comédia de horror, v.o. ingl, leg. port

A parody to Zombie films with unequivocal signs of love for the cinema. A young director aspires to do his first feature and, one day, show it to his idol. Yet, with the arrival of a strange matter to his backyard, his father becomes a true zombie. And why not use him for his film? A pastiche of classics, especially in the musical score, turns this film into a delirium much in the line of Peter Jackson’s Braindead. With well-known Mena Suvari and Emma Grasse in her first role on film. Selected for the Sitges festival, this is the director’s first feature.

Post Mortem- Péter Bergendy - 115’ (Hung) - 2021 - Retrospectiva Cinema Húngaro -horror fantástico, v.o., leg ingl, leg port

A photographer, an ex-soldier of the 1st World War, goes to a small village to capture the images of dead family members with the live relatives as it was frequent at the time. In a place that had many deaths because of the Spanish Flu and unable to bury their dead due to the frozen land, the village is in the hands of unfriendly ghosts. The man is going to try to help them. This is the first Hungarian horror feature, that easily compares to major American productions, and reminding us of great classics such as the soviet “Viyi”. Selection of the Trieste Film Festival.

Péter Bergendy

Director Péter Bergendy was born in 1964. Graduated in Psychology with a thesis about horror films, he was the Hungarian editor of the German Cinema Magazine and worked as a researcher at the Hungarian Film Institute. As a film-meker he directed several award-winning commercials. His first feature was the comedy “Stop Mom Teresa!” in 2004. It was followed by “The Exam”, awarded at the Chicago Film festival 2012 and “Trezor” (2018), the first Hungarian TV film ever nominated for the Emmy’s. “Post Mortem” (2020) won the Best Direction and the Best Screenplay in Fantasporto 2021.

 

Baby Assassins 2: Babies- Hugo Sakamoto- 101’ (Jap) CF/OE-thriller, v.o. leg ingl, leg port

Following the success of “Baby Assassins”, the sequel. Two girls, Chisato and Mahiro share the same flat. Their relationship is not easy. Besides they are unexpected killers. However, they were banned from performing tasks because they violated the organization’ rules.  Needing money to make ends meet, they resume their violent activity as mascot part-time workers. Suddenly, two other killers are after them. Humour and martial arts at great speed and intensity with lots of twists.

Yugo Sakamoto

Japanese director known for “Baby Assassins” (2021), already screened in Fantasporto, “Hangman’s Knot” (2017) and “Yellow Dragon’s Village” (2021)

 

Mutant Ghost Wargirl -  Binjie Liu - 71’  (China)  CF/OE – sci-fi, artes marciais, v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

In a futuristic world, a mysterious organization called Medusa Corp is specializing in War for the Future whose main asset is genetic fusion. To fight this, appears an international force which leads to a war between good and bad mutants. A dazzling show of technology and special effects serving a mix of Chinese aesthetic and martial arts in a lesson of cinema that reminds us of “Blade Runner” or “Matrix”.

 

Cold Meat Sebastien Drouin- 89’ - UK/Canada CF- thriller, horror, v.o. ingl, leg. port

David is driving through the snowy lands of the Colorado Rockies. After a brief stop at a dinner where he saves a young waitress from her abusive ex-husband, he leaves, only to have a serious accident farther on. Stuck in his car, David is going to face an unexpected challenge because of what he carries in the back of his car. This thrilling screenplay is served by the agile direction of first-time director Sébastien Drouin. Selected for Fright Fest - London. With Nina Bergman and Allen Leech, actor of “Downtown Abbey” and “Bohemian Rapsody”.

Sébastien Drouin

French screenwriter and director, multi-awarded for the shorts “Dust City” (Imagina Award 1997), “La place du Mort” (winner at the Cognac Film Festival 2000 with over 9 awards) and “Pièces Détachés” (2007). “Cold Meat” (2023) is his first feature.

 

Surrogate - King Palisoc- 88’ (Filip) CF/OE- terror fantástico, v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

A young woman is taken to a witch lady and is nearing death. But when the traditional methods fail, other methods are necessary. Years later, a girl appears at the doorstep of a couple with no children after several attempts to have one. And the world falls in their heads in this story full of imagination in the old classical ways, with devils, possessions and evil children. This film has high quality special effects and a remarkable production, unusual in Filipino Cinema.

King Palisoc

From the director of “Tandem”, presented in Fantasporto 2016, his newest “Surrogate” in World Premiere in Fantasporto 2024

 

The Shoreline –Takeo Kikucho - 97’ CF- fantástico, sci-fi, v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

Two immortals and a woman who repeats re-encarnations, are caught in a curse that has over a thousand years. They meet every 100 years. Sosuke doesn’t know who he is but has recurrent dreams about a woman he has met on a beach. A beautiful love story where the past is intertwined with the present and needs closure.

Takeo Kikuchi

Realizador jpaonês, conhecido por “Dear Deer” (2015), “My Retirement, My Life” (2018) and “Bokyo” (2017)

Japanese director known for “Dear Deer” (2015), “My Retirement, My Life” (2018) and “Bokyo” (2017)

 

La Sombra del Tiburón -Gonzalo López Gallego 99´Esp CF - ANTESTREIA MUNDIAL- terror, v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

Alma cannot sleep. When she goes to bed, soon a series of sounds and shadows involve her. With the help of surveillance cameras and therapy, Alma is going to discover the horrors that surround her, one of which can be her nextdoor neighbour. The house becomes her enemy. Until she decides to do something. Director López Gallego, who also wrote the screenplay, brings us another example of the excellence of Spanish horror and mystery cinema, with great performances by Alba Galocha and Denís Gomez. One of the scariest and most intriguing features of the year.

Gonzalo López-Gallego

Director and screenwriter, already awarded in several festivals, namely in Amsterdam for “King of the Hill” (2008) and in Malaga for “Nómadas” (2001), winner of the Jury’s Special Award.

 

Megalomaniac- Karim Ouelhaj – 100’ (Bel) - Retrospectiva Karim Ouelhaj- horror, v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

Brother and sister, Martha and Felix, live in a big old house which was left to them by their father, the notorious Mons Butcher. Apart from this inheritance, Martha feels she has to protect her brother who, like their father, is a serial killer.  Abused at work, Martha tries to find the balance between Felix’ violence, his madness and the traumas of her very own life. This film won the important Cheval Noir Award in the Fantasia Festival (Canada) and is another fine example of modern Belgian horror cinema. Great acting by Eline Schumacher in her first role on film. Winner of the Fantasy Cinema section in Fantasporto 2023.

Karim Ouelhaj

Belgian author, director and producer. His first feature. “Parabola”, was noticed in Venice in 2005 after an official selection at the Giornatti degli Autori Venice Days. This film also won the Federico Fellini Award in 2006 in the USA, among other prizes. It is the first part of a societal triptych which includes “La Repas du Singe” (2013), Best Actress Award at the Rome Festival, and “Une Realité para Seconde” (2015). In 2016, his fantasy short film “L’Oeil Silencieux” won the Grand Prix and the Méliès D’Argent at the Brussels Festival and several selections and awards in other festivals. “Megalomaniac” (2022), his fourth feature, inspired in the true story of the Butcher of Mons, won over 20 awards, including Best Feature in Fantasia (Canada), Best Horror Film in Macabro Film Festival (Mexico) and Best Fantasy Film, Best Director and Best Actress in Fantasporto 2023.

 

Clawfoot - Michael Day- 88’ (EUA) – CF- thriller, v.o. ingl, leg. port

In a luxury mansion lives the blond and beautiful Mrs Lauper and her husband. A man rings and says the woman is supposed to renovate the bathroom while her husband is away. But then it seems that is never going to leave. Yet, reality is more complex. In this psychological game who wins, who knows everything, who is the leader? With Francesca Eastwood, a new talent, awarded with a Miss Golden Globe, and Milo Gibson, son of Mel Gibson, actor in “Hawksaw Ridge”. Selection of the Sitges Festival.

Michael Day

An American director and producer awarded as a revelation in the IndieFest Film Awards for the short “Fighter” (2018). He is also known for “Rare Objects (2023) and “The KIll Room” (2023). He directed 21 episodes of the TV series “Sisters”. “Clawfoot” is his first feature.

 

Jour de Merde Kevin T. Landry- 91’(Can) CF- thriller, horror, v.o., leg ingl, leg port

A woman who is abused by her ex-husband, is forced to take her teenage son to a work interview in the mountains, which she must do it, otherwise she will lose her job. The interview is to a man who lives in isolation but has just won the lottery. Strangely enough, the man does not want to be interviewed and refuses to receive the money. A very intriguing story, written by the director himself, which presents several serious issues is a way to constantly surprise the audience. This film was selected for the Fantasia Festival and the São Paulo Film Festival and received the Jury’s Award at the Edmonton Fest. This is Landry’s first feature film.

 

Halfway Home- Isti Madarász- 104’ (Hun)| CF- fantástico,  v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

Christian, a twenty something man, still has no direction in life. He starts his new job as a night guard in a morgue. However, he doesn’t know that during his shift the dead are not at peace. All have an unfinished business and they cannot pass that stage, of recently dead, to the next with excess baggage in their souls. Yet, the Mortician waits them. Another fine example of fantasy coming from Hungary, multi-awarded in this festival. Second feature of the director of “Loop”, presented in Fantasporto 2017 and Silver Méliès. “Half-Way Home” is in competition on the Fantasy section of Fantasporto 2024.

Isti Madarász

Director Isti Madarász was born in 1976 in Hungary, has worked on television and is also known for the shorts “Elöbb-utóbb” (2006) and “147 Rovás” (2018). “HalfWay Home” (2023) is his second feature, following “Loop”.

 

The Witch Game – Fabián Forte – 86’ – Argentina CF- horror fantástico, v.o., leg ingl, leg port

With the usual quality that Argentinean usually offers, especial when it comes to fantasy, this is a film not to be missed. A young 18 year-old woman, totally addicted to video games, rejects her family and the cake that was made to celebrate her birthday, and prefers instead to try a mysterious game left at her doorstep as a gift. With it she starts her apprenticeship to become a powerful witch in a virtual mansion and with 3 guides to help her. A big budget production without the subtleties of a Harry Potter film, coming from a multi - awarded fantasy director.

Fabián Forte

Known for “Dead Man Tells His Own Tale” (2016), selection of the Brussels festival. He received the award of the Argentinean Critics for the script of “La Corporacion” (2012) , which was selected for the Mar Del Plata Festival. He also won the San Francisco Festival with “Mala Carne” (2003). In Fantasporto, he brought us his previous feature, “Legions” (2022),

 

From the End of the World - Kazuaki I Kiriya- 135’ (Jap) CF/OE- sci-fi, fantástico, v.o., leg ing, leg. port

In fabulous travels in time, back to the time of the samurai, young Hana, unhappy and tormented in the present days, can finally finding her place in the world. One day, she dreams of another young girl who lived in the past. Unexpectedly, the following day, she is taken by mysterious government agents. Who are convinced that her dreams may save the world. With a surprising colour treatment, a clear narrative takes us to the past or the future through the fine acting of the young Aoi It.

Kazuaki I Kiriya

Born in 1968 in Japan. He is known for “Casshern” (2004), screened at the Turin Film Fetsival, “Goemon” (2009) and “Last Knights” (2015).

 

The Invisible Fight – Rainer Sarnet – 116’ (Estonia) – comédia fantástica, CF- v.o., leg ingl, leg. port

A rocker and ex-guard in the border between the Soviet Union and China, after being attacked, decides to go to an orthodox monastery to become a monk. But this is no ordinary place as the monks blend religion with Kung Fu. In a visual delirium which also mixes heavy metal and a weeping Madonna, the rocker just wants to be accepted. His first lesson is humility. Coming from the director of the multi-awarded feature “November”, presented in Fantasporto 2018 and granted the Special Award of the Jury and Best Cinematography. Selection of the Sitges, Locarno and Warsaw film Festivals.

Rainer Sarnet

 

Director and writer from Estonia, known for “November” (2017), awarded in Fantasporto 2018 and already grantes 24 international prizes. It was followed by the TV series “The Bank” (2018) and “Vaino Vahingu Paevaraamat” (2021).

 

La Mujer Dormida- Laura Alvea- 110’ (Esp) CF- horror, v.o., leg ingl, leg port

A young nurse called Ana arrives at a small village where she is supposed to take care of a woman in a coma, Sara. Her husband, Augustin, picks her up and takes her to the mansion where Sara is, while explaining her what happen to his wife. But Ana’s job as a care provider soon presents itself with unexpected and mysterious challenges. A film coming from the well-known production company from Barcelona, Filmax, already honoured in Fantasporto.

 

Comrade Drakulich – Mark Bodzsár – 95´-2019 Retrospectiva Visions of Hungarian Cinema- fantástico,  v.o., leg ingl

Os vampiros têm a polícia secreta à perna, usando tudo o que podem para os afastar. Um jovem casal tem a missão de vigiar o Comrade Fábián que parece muito mais jovem do que devia. Uma comédia negra e um sucesso de público, esta história de um vampiro muito “húngaro”, ou seja com contornos políticos, que venceu o Prémio de Argumento no Festival de Sitges e teve prémios no festivais de Bilbao, Rojo sangre da Argentina, Imaxinario de Espanha, competiu em Neuchatel, Fantaspoa e outros. O realizador Mark Bodzsár venceu o o Prémio de Melhor Filme na Semana dos Realizadores do Fantasporto 2014 com a sua primeira longa-metragem, “Heavenly Shift”.

The vampires have the Secret Police going after them, using all possible methods. A young couple has a mission - to watch over Comrade Fábián who look much younger than he should. A black comedy and a huge audience hit, about a very Hungarian vampire, that is, a story with political undertones, the winner of the Screenplay Award at the Sitges Festival, which collected other awards in Bilbao, Rojo Sangre, Imaxinario in Spain, Was in the competition in Neuchatel, Fantaspoaamong others. Director Mark Bodzsár was the winner of the Best film in the Director Week in Fantasporto 2014 with his first feature “Heavenly Shift”.

 

The Hyperborean- Jesse Thomas Cook- 95’ (Can) CF- sci-fi, fantástico, v.o., leg ingl, leg port

Um homem muito rico junta os filhos adultos na sua casa do campo em lugar remoto. Ao brindar com um uísque muito velho, proveniente de um pipo de um naufrágio misterioso no Ártico, tudo parece normal para os herdeiros que desconhecem o que vem a seguir, especialmente a filha que sofre de uma doença rara. E quem é o “Hyperborean”? Filme vindo de um realizador bem conhecido do Fantasporto onde já apresentou “Monster Brawl” e “Cult Hero”, o canadiano Jesse Thomas Cook. Selecção do FilmQuest Festival.

A very rich old man invites his adult children to a special occasion dinner at his reclusive country house. Toasting with a special whiskey from a cask whose provenance is a mysterious shipwreck in the Artic, all seems normal to the heirs. But they ignore what comes next, especially the daughter who suffers from a rare decease. And who is the Hyperborean? A film coming from a Canadian director Jesse Thomas Cook whose previous features “Monster Brawl” and “Cult Hero” were screened in Fantasporto. Selection of the FilmQuest Festival.

Jesse Thomas Cook

Realizador, actor e produtor canadiano, conhecido por “Cult Hero (2022), “Monster Brawl” (2011) e “The Hoard” (2018). “The Hyperborean” é a sua oitava longa-metragem.

Canadian actor, director and producer, known for “Cult Hero” (2022), “Monster Brawl” (2011) and “The Hoard” (2018). “The Hyperborean” (2023) is his eighth feature.

 

Woman in the Maze - Mitesh Patel 101´ (EUA) CF- horror, fantástico,  v.o. ingl, leg port

Uma mulher arrenda uma casa e nada do que esperava acontece. Por alguma razão, ao ficar presa entre aquelas paredes, a mulher tem de encontrar a solução para se libertar e sair finalmente da casa. Uma história de desespero e horror.

A woman rents a house and nothing is as expected. She is trapped in those walls and she must find a solution to get free and finally leave. A story of despair and horror.

Mitesh Kumar Patel

O realizador nasceu na India e estudou Artes Plásticas. Em 2011 realiza “The Man in the Maze”, seguido de “Neron” (2016), “House of Quarantine” (2020), “Instant Karma” (2021), entre outros. “Woman in the Maze” é a sua sétima longa-metragem.

The director was born in India and studied Art, In 2011 he directs “The Man in the Maze”, followed by “Neron” (2016), “House of Quarantine” (2020), “Instant Karma” (2021), among others. “Woman in the Maze” is his seventh feature.

 

The Well – Federico Zampaglione – 91’ – Italia- fal inglês CF- horror fantástico, v.o. ingl, leg. port

Uma jovem americana que restaura pinturas antigas é chamada a um palácio de uma pequena cidade em Itália para tratar de uma pintura escurecida por um incêndio. Mas cedo se apercebe de que há muitos mistérios a desvendar quando um grupo de biólogos com quem viajara desaparecem. Monstros vários, heroínas em dificuldades e bruxas do passado fazem deste filme uma homenagem na melhor tradição do “giallo” e do fantástico clássico. Selecção do festival de Sitges.

A young American woman who restores ancient paintings, is called to a palace is a small village in Italy to salvage a painting darkened by a fire. But soon she finds out that there is a lot more than meets the eye when a group of biologists she had travelled with, have disappeared. Monsters, girls in distress and witches of the past turn up to make this a feature, in the tradition of the Italian “giallo” and classic fantasy. Selection of the Sitges Film Festival.

Federico Zampaglione

Nascido em Roma em 1968, músico e argumentista, é realizador de “Morrison” (2021) e “Tulpa: Demon of Desire” (2012).

Director, musician and writer born in Rome in 1968, known for “Morrison” (2021) and “Tulpa: Demon of Desire” (2012).