So, you normally don't hear about what women are directing in horror, sci-fi, and fantasy? That's because other assholes don't write about it. Only this asshole does. And there's a lot of new films projects you'll want to check out, if you're a real fannerd.
Aside from German-language release Lollipop Monster by Franziska Riemann and Larysa Kondracki's thriller in mainstream theaters, The Whistleblower, there's a bunch of shit to check out this summer.
Also in theaters is director/writer Miranda July's fantasy film The Future (see our review) opening on August 5th, 2011. This is July's second feature as director, the first being Me and You and Everyone We Know, which everyone who loves arty movies said was amazing. There's a talking cat and romance and a goregous beauty to The Future. Watch the stunning trailer:
At the end of August, 2011, FrightFest UK in London is screening Emily Hagin's newest horror comedy feature - My Sucky Teen Romance. Hagin's is one of the youngest (still) genre filmmakers, having been creating her own movies, which have been screener worldwide, since she was twelve. Susan Jacobson's paranormal thriller The Holding has the honor of being the ONLY film screening in Frightfest's 2011 main competition that is directed by a woman.
The Holding Trailer:
My Sucky Teen Romance:
Mia Trachinger's short sci-fi movie Exposure has been getting a lot of attention, as it is a part of the ambitious FutureStatesseries of social commentary/sci-fi movies. But it is Nisha Ganatra's entry into FutureStates, a sci-fi gem called Beholder, that is playing at Outfest this month on July 11th, 2011. Can't make it to the fest? You can actually watch Exposure and Beholder on your computer here and here. Trachinger's big news is that her feature sci-fi, Reversion, is making the rounds in festivals and screenings, probably coming to a DVD near you very soon. Check out this clip of the two main characters discussing time, and science, and nerdy sci-fi stuff: (Want more clips of Reversion? Here they are).
Maude Michaud's online web documentary, Bloody Breasts, exploring the relationship between feminism and horror movies has a 4th episode featuring ME, Shannon Lark, Elisabeth Fies, and Brea Grant talking about, well, horror films:
You can check out the web series's pervious entries at the official website. It's part of Michaud's master's degree in film, and beats a lot of those other unprofessional sexploitation films that pretend to investigate women's role in genre.
Speaking of web series, Letia Clouston's sci-fi/action webseries Broken Toy has just put out episode 5:
Episodes 1-4, and later epsiodes, are all at the official Youtube page.
American World Pictures is going to distribute Kimberly Seilhamer's new horror feature, which won best indie genre film in Cannes' independent competition, Jack the Reaper, sometime in the near future. We'll keep you posted! In the meantime, watch the trailer:
Hannelle Culpepper's long-awaited paranormal thriller about a little girl who can see evil spirits, Within, is finally being released through Bigfoot Entertainment on July 25th, 2011! Check out the trailer:
Breaking Glass Pictures is releasing both Rania Ajami's sci-fi/fantasy Asylum Seekers on August 30th, 2011 AND Faye Jackon's vampire film Strigoi on August 3, 2011. The DVD of Strigoi will feature Jackson's short film Lump, which was a selection of the 2007 Viscera Film Festival
Watch the trailer for Strigoi:
Watch the trailer for Asylum Seekers:
In The Woods, the feature thriller by Vilma Zenelaj, just took home Best Feature at the 2011 Detroit Windsor Film Festival on June 27th, 2011! This Albanian/USA production It'll be poking its head out on DVD soon, we hope. Watch the trailer:
In just-about-to-happen news, journalist-turned-actress-turned-director Axelle Carolyn has just finished shooting her new horror short Hooked in Los Angeles. This is her second film, and it stars R.A. Mihailoff and Clare Grant.
Check out this image of Mihailoff as some kind of (hopefully) deranged fisherman/hook-killer-type:
Claire Llewellyn's indie short Conscience has a trailer out, which shows her exploration of a Hannibal-like serial killer and his biggest fan in morbid detail:
Jovanka Vuckovic's directorial debut, The Captured Bird, produced by Guillermo del Toro and featuring amazing puppetry and expensive practical effects, is wrapped, and we're hoping for a trailer soon. Some really gorgeous still photos from the set have been released, in the meantime, like this one:
And, finally, screen siren Ruby LaRocca is reported to be directing a segment of the indie horror anthology Scream Queen Campfire called "The Landlord", and actress Jackey Hall will pick up the directing reigns for the first time on the segments "Wrong Number" and "The Invited." Related is the revelation that actress Kesley Zukowski, who was a writer on Scream Queen Campfire, will be directing segments in the new-er horror anthology Trick or Eat (previously titled Trial by Terror??) once filming is underway. More news as that unfolds...
Speaking of the Viscera Film Festival, the official 2011 Event, which shows only the best new short horror films directed by women (I should know, I'm the film programmer) is happening in Los Angeles at the Silent Movie Theater on July 17th, 2011. It's the only place you can get a sneak peek at the teaser trailer for American Mary, Susan Bell's L.A.G.P., and Nikki Wall's short film Box, plus a slew of trailers and shorts directed by some of the best new talent in the industry. Read about the festival and buy tickets to this unique genre experience at the official website: www.viscerafilmfestival.com.
I'll bet you didn't know any of this shit before you read it, did you?
(If I forgot anyone, feel free to comment about your project below)
Heidi, you're such a bad-ass! 8)
Good luck with Viscera. If I lived in that neck of the woods I'd watch the shit out of those movies.