With the IFI Horrorthon taking place from tonight, October 23, to Monday October 27. TEN's Harry Guerin talks to one of the festival's programmers, Lorcan Dillon Kelly, about the scares in store.
Harry Guerin: Are there late night debates every year about the Horrorthon programme - fingers pointed, ultimatums issued, doors slammed and intermediaries contacted?
Lorcan Dillon Kelly: Not really, although we do have our own favourite subgenres. For example, certain members of the programming team would be happy to show wall-to-wall Hammer horror, whereas some would have us watching Eighties slasher films all night long. But basically we are always thinking of what's best for the audience and the overall festival, and as we're all fanboys, we manage to strike a balance without coming to blows.
What are you most excited about this year?
Well, we've seen every film in the course of programming the festival, but what we always get excited about is seeing and experiencing our personal favourites with a like-minded audience. The Babadook [Irish premiere] is great, as is Housebound, What We Do in the Shadows, The Editor, Coherence, and, of course, the Horrorthon tradition of the surprise film, which this year is really something not to be missed - we promise! I'm especially looking forward to meeting our guest of honour, Frank Henenlotter, who is one of the genre's finest auteurs in my book. I'm also really excited to see what people think of our new segments; we've teamed up with the Bram Stoker Festival for a selection of gothic horror readings, and we've introduced a new slot called Horrorthon Honours, this year focusing on the great Vincent Price.
What Irish films are coming up this year?
Two great features, Jason Figgis' The Ecstasy of Isabel Mann and Filmbase's The Light of Day. They each have a vampire theme, but are total opposites in their way of execution. The Short Film Showcase has a particularly strong Irish representation this year with Aye, Ghost Train, The Audition and the Irish language film Dorchadas, all of which can stand proudly against any of the international entries.
Horrorthon has always excelled at getting special guests - tell us more about who's coming along this year.
We are delighted to be hosting cult filmmaker Frank Henenlotter as well as Scream Queen Jessica Cameron. Frank will be representing his cult favourites Basket Case, Brain Damage and Frankenhooker, along with his new and very informative documentary That's Sexploitation which surveys the history of erotic cinema. Actress/director Jessica Cameron is coming over to present her award-winning but controversial horror film Truth or Dare. Both filmmakers will be conducting Q&As at their screenings.
Have there ever been any unexplained incidents at the Horrorthon?
I remember there was one particular year we showed Donnie Darko. People seemed to like it. Still can't explain that.
What is your funniest memory from Horrorthons past?
One year we had a standee of Bela Lugosi as Dracula that was put down out of the way in the cellar of the IFI. It had a plug, but after plugging it in nothing happened, so we just left it there and forgot about it. That night when the staff were locking up the alarms kept going off. They searched everywhere except the cellar. So, finally two staff members went down in the pitch dark, only to see the outline of a male figure with two flickering red eyes. Apparently they leapt into each other's arms like Scooby Doo and Shaggy but it was only Bela Lugosi's eyes that had switched themselves on and were setting off the alarms.
Do you think Horrorthon gets the recognition it deserves?
I do think that the festival gets fairly good recognition within the genre circuit and it has always gotten good coverage in the media here which has helped to build up the loyal fanbase it has today.
Which special guests are still on Horrorthon's bucket list?
We'd love to have Dario Argento, John Carpenter, John Landis, Hammer Queen Caroline Munro, and Freddy himself, Robert Englund. We are busy working our charm on all of these, so watch this space.
When was your first Horrorthon?
1998 when it was just a one-day event featuring such gems as Re-Animator and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
What are your own top five horror movies?
Tough one. Ask me again tomorrow and the list will probably be different but these ones spring to mind right now:
The Exorcist (1973)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Dead of Night (1945)
Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
And five many of us may not have seen that are worth checking out?
The Changeling (1980)
Tourist Trap (1979)
Inside (2007)
Pin (1998)
Curtains (1983)
For more on the IFI Horrorthon and tickets, visit: www.ifi.ie/horrorthon or phone: (01) 679 3477.
