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TOP 5 FILMS WE ARE MOST EXCITED FOR AT THE BROOKLYN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

FEAR FOREVER is incredibly excited to be covering this years BROOKLYN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL(BHFF), taking place from Oct. 17th-24th. That’s a full week showcasing some of the best films the horror genre has to offer. As someone who used to help run a 3-day festival, I can tell you that moving to a full week of films in only its 3rd year is quite an impressive feat. In addition to a few festival staples this year, there are quite a few films making their U.S. or North American debuts. Without further ado, here are the top 5 films FEAR FOREVER is most looking forward to at this years BHFF.

First up on our list is the bizarre OCD-gone-wrong horror flick SWALLOW. This was one film we were unable to catch at FANTASIA or FANTASTIC FEST this year, but its a film that we’ve been hearing a lot about. The synopsis is short of details, but there’s enough there to still give you the shivers. It calls to mind some imagery you might find in some of David Cronenberg’s more confrontational works. The story is centered on a new bride who becomes obsessed with swallowing inedible objects. Although it may not sound like out and out “horror” we can only imagine the bio-horrors that await, and from the sound of it, we think they might make maestro Cronenberg proud.

“Pregnant housewife Hunter (Haley Bennett) suddenly develops a case of pica—a psychological disorder involving the desire to consume inedible objects. The more her husband and his family try to stop her compulsions, the gruesomely deeper she falls into this harmful obsession until her perfect home becomes a patriarchal prison.”

Next up making its U.S. premiere is the Canadian zombie film BLOOD QUANTUM. We all love zombie movies but this one sounds like it has a little more than meets the eye. Zombies have always been a sort of catch-all metaphor for the worlds’ problems, and a good way to confront the impending doom of whatever unknown threat is slowly crawling towards us. BLOOD QUANTUM explores the idea that a small group of indigenous people are the only ones immune to the virus. It sounds like an interesting idea, thrusting one of North America’s most mistreated  groups of people suddenly into the front lines of a post-apocalyptic battle for humanity. It could be a film about social justice, a bad-ass zombie yarn, or hell…why not both?

“In the midst of a zombie outbreak, all hope seems lost, but there’s one glimmer of salvation: A small Indigenous community populated by folks who are somehow immune to whatever is turning people into undead flesh-eaters. Having been marginalized and persecuted for their entire lives, though, the lucky, and still healthy, residents see an opportunity to both keep themselves alive and pay back those who’ve wronged them by keeping their community’s entry ways closed.”

Upon reading the description of THE BEACH HOUSE , we were first reminded of films like THE FOG or THE MIST. The description is incredibly vague, which only piqued our interests further. Making its North American premiere at BHFF, THE BEACH HOUSE sounds like a vacation from hell.  The fact that this is also the opening night film this year, it leads us to believe that this one might pack a deceptive punch.

“Hoping to reignite their relationship, Emily and Randall arrive at their weekend getaway only to discover a peculiar older couple already staying there. They all agree to share the home and after an indulgent night of partying, wake up to a living nightmare of apocalyptic proportions. Something is infecting the water and a fog is making its way ashore.”

Ah, the struggle of being an awkward teen. Acne, your first crush, and the demon living in the tool shed in your backyard. Wait…that isn’t how that it goes! Well, it is for the folks in the Frank Sabatella’s coming-of-age horror film THE SHED. We couldn’t help but be reminded of THE DEAD GIRL, when the synopsis informs us that our lovable losers may opt to use this demon to climb the social ladder at their High School. Whether that means getting the girl, or getting rid of the bully, it certainly got our attention.

“Stan, Roxy and Dommer are lifelong friends whose bond is being tested by the ever-taxing rigors of high school. For Stan and Dommer, in particular, the daily bullying they encounter comes in second only to watching Roxy’s popularity grow, and, in turn, her closeness to them dissipate. But there’s an unexpected possible solution to their problems in Stan’s backyard: a nondescript-looking toolshed, which houses something inhuman.”

Rounding out our top 5 this year is the North American premiere of THE ROOM. And no…I’m not referring to that Tommy Wiseau midnight movie insanity, but rather a room that grants wishes. Unlimited material wishes in fact. That is until Olga Kurylenko sees this room as a potential solution to solving her past two miscarriages. We’re guessing that once the wishes start getting bigger and bolder, it may not be EXACTLY what they had hoped to receive. Eat your heart out WISHMASTER!

“Looking for a change, Matt (Kevin Janssens) and Kate (Olga Kurylenko) relocate from New York City to quaint New Hampshire. While cleaning out their new home, the couple discovers a secret room in which any wishes one speaks out loud materialize. At first, it’s all fun, money wishes and games until Matt and Kate realize what this could mean for their inability to have a child.”

Believe us when we tell you that this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of quality programming. This year BHFF has really outdone itself in digging up some truly unique an outside-the-box horror films. There’s a wide variety of sub-genres represented and it appears that there should be something for everyone, while still leaving the door open for a few unexpected surprises. FEAR FOREVER can’t wait to take a bite out of what is becoming the big apple’s preeminent horror fest!

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Andy Breslow

Andy Breslow

Andy has been a lifelong horror fan and genre journalist for close to two decades. He regularly attends film festivals and horror conventions with a personal collection of roughly four thousand films . Formerly a writer/reviewer for Bloody Disgusting, he was most recently a staff member/programmer for a prestigious Denver based genre film festival.
Although he loves all sub-genres of horror, his favorite styles are Italian Giallo and 80’s slasher films. Some of his favorite horror films include ‘Martyrs(2008)’, ‘Audition(1999)’, ‘The Thing(1982)’ and almost anything by Dario Argento.

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