On 27-30 March at the Haapsalu Cultural Centre, the third Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HOFF) boasts 18 features, most of them Estonian premieres. Aside from the new films in the main programme, the festival is focusing on new Spanish horror films, a retrospective of films by the legendary director and producer Brian Yuzna and a sci-fi classic - the Polish-Estonian collaboration "Test pilota Pirxa".
The festival programme has something in store for both lovers of horror film and films from the realms of the fantastic. And – as per tradition - the festival is offering treats for fans of extreme horror. For the first time, award-winning short films will be shown before the feature presentations. The films at this year’s HOFF come from a total of 12 countries.
The festival will be graced by the personal presence of two big names in horror film. One is Brian Yuzna, who comes to Haapsalu straight from the set of his new film in Indonesia. One of the founders of modern horror in the 1980s, Yuzna carved his name into history as a producer of "Re-Animator" (1985) also his directorial debut "Society" (1989) is still praised as one of the weirdest films ever made. The festival has devoted a special programme to Yuzna, which will be introduced by the filmmaker himself.
The other big name at hand will be Marek Piestrak, the director of the 1978 sci-fi film "Test pilota Pirxa", who in his homeland Poland earned the honorary nickname of "Ed Wood of the Eastern Bloc". Admirers of Piestrak’s work will have a chance to meet the 70-year-old master after a special screening on 29 March dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the film’s premiere. Audiences will also be thrilled by a workshop of the popular and captivating art project “Boxwars” followed by an actual box war in the area in front of the Haapsalu Cultural Centre.
Tallinn Cinema Sõprus will also be presenting a warm-up programme to the festival, screening two films on 26 March. The official opening of HOFF will take place on 27 March at the Haapsalu Cultural Centre with the Spanish fantasy film "Timecrimes".
The festival is organised by the Haapsalu Municipal Government, the Haapsalu Cultural Centre and MTÜ Pimedate Ööde Filmifestival (the team that brings you the Black Nights Film Festival every year).
For the festival programme and more information, visit www.hoff.ee
Film festival will take place from 27-30 March at the Haapsalu Cultural Centre.
Film-goers are reminded that age recommendations should be followed for festival films.
All of the films will be introduced in person by festival organisers and film experts well-versed in the genre.
Films screened in the Great Hall will have Estonian subtitles.
Tickets to individual films cost 50 kroons. A festival pass costs 300 kroons.
Tickets are on sale at Piletilevi outlets and Statoil stations throughout Estonia as well as at the venue an hour before each showing.
Discounts on accommodations for film-goers are being offered by Thalasso SPA Fra Mare, Haapsalu Spordihoone, Baltic Hotel Promenaadi, Hostel Sport and Hotel Päeva Villa.
25.03.2008 | Editor's blog
Cat. : Brian Yuzna Brian Yuzna Cinema of the United States Ed Wood of the Eastern Bloc Entertainment Entertainment Film Haapsalu Independent films Indonesia Lääne County Marek Piestrak Mystery films Re-Animator Society Society Statoil Tallinn Test pilota Pirxa Thalasso SPA The Black Nights Film Festival the third Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival Timecrimes