The 17th Philadelphia Film Festival is coming up

The festival has a program titled DANGER AFTER DARK presented by the TLA Entertainment Group, which is dedicated to FANTASTIC film genres. With the guidance of Raymond Murray, Artistic Director, I was able to program films from multiple genres that I love dearly and also include films that my fellow curators suggested. A big thank you to my colleagues at Fantastic Festivals around the world (you know who you are!) for all your help and support as well.

At the tail end of the information, I’ve included additional films in other categories that might also appeal to you. But there are a lot of strong films at the fest (over 200!) son when the website goes live, make sure to check all of them out.

Feedback would be great – coverage would be amazing! If you have any press questions, need photos – we do have an official publicist for the Festival:
Megan Smith – media@phillyfests.com but feel free to touch base with me, since it’s a project that I care very deeply about and can help in any way I can!

Thank you!

Lewis Tice
Curator – 17th Philadelphia Film Festival – Danger After Dark


2008 DANGER AFTER DARK presented by TLA Entertainment Group
Official Selections at the
17th Philadelphia Film Festival - April 3- 15, 2008

Buy tickets, full schedule online beginning March 17, 20047 at www.phillyfests.com

Basic facts about 2008 Danger After Dark program
Tailored to be a fantastic festival like Fantasia, Sitges, Dead Channels – the Danger After Dark program, taking place in the Philadelphia Film Festival is dedicated to films exploring extreme ways of telling stories; horror, fantasy, science fiction, animation, dark comedies and adventures.
Expanded to 19 films, include an archival screening of Like a Shooting Star.
11 countries represented including Chile, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, Canada, Sweden and Denmark.

2008 PHANTASMAGORIA AWARD
Frank Henenlotter
Director of Basket Case, Brain Dead and Frankenhooker will be present to receive award and present the World Premiere screening of his latest film, Bad Biology on Friday, April 4, 2008 in Philadelphia
Bad Biology
Directed by Frank Henenlotter (World Premiere)
Ribald, frisky and souped-up genitals invade Danger After Dark, as the director of Frankenhooker and Basket Case invites you to fasten your seatbelts for one of the raunchiest, most original horror comedies of the year. Cast members will be in attendance!
Black House
Directed by Sin Tae-Ra (Philadelphia Premiere)
Korean horror continues to cross new boundaries with this nail-biting thriller about an insurance agent peeling back the mysteries of a creepy house only to find terrors beyond his imagination.
Confession of Pain (Philadelphia Premiere)
Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak
From the makers of Hong Kong hit Infernal Affairs (remade stateside as Scorsese’s Oscar-winner The Departed, sophisticated and violent cop drama Confession of Pain proves a worthy, dark successor -- with a twist, of course.
Dead Fury
Directed by FSudol (World Premiere)
If decapitations, flying eyeballs and disembowelment (emphasis on “bowels”) are your cup of goo, then don’t miss this adults-only animated horror parody from the imagination of animator and illustrator, F. Sudol.
Epitaph
Directed by Jung Brothers (Philadelphia Premiere)
A chill is in their air as unrequited, obsessive love is swept up in a sea of blood in this South Korean box office sensation that takes Asian horror in a new direction.
Eye in the Sky
Directed by Nai-Hoi Yau (Philadelphia Premiere)
This action film from producer Johnnie To (Triad Election) follows a young woman’s dangerous mission to catch wily jewel thieves amidst the concrete jungle of Hong Kong.
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer
Directed by Jon Knautz (East Coast)
Monsters invade Danger After Dark and who is left to save the day? Jack Brooks, plumber extraordinaire, in this loving, hilarious and thrilling ode to monster movies and monster slayers.
The Last House in the Woods
Directed by Gabriele Albanesi (East Coast)
In this Italian screamfest, a young couple seeks solace from a group of sadistic bullies at a mysterious house, only to discover that their place of refuge harbors even darker secrets.
Like a Shooting Star
Directed by Toshio Masuda (Retro screening)
Filled with pop-art colors, a musical number(!), and some of the best on-screen romantic pairing since Hepburn and Tracy, this jazzy action classic from Japan’s Nikkatsu studio tells the story of a Tokyo hitman who falls into a dangerous love affair while hiding out in Kobe.
Mirageman
Directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza (East Coast)
An unlikely superhero emerges from the streets of Santiago to fight crime in this thrill ride that’s often funny and always action-packed.
Pistoleros
Directed by Shaky González (East Coast)
A gun-toting romp through the mean streets of…Copenhagen? Chilean-born, Danish-reared first-time director Shaky Gonzalez scoops up the baton from Robert Rodriguez in this madcap tale of a heist gone awry and a hunt for missing millions.
Soo
Directed by Sai Yoichi (Choi Yang-Il) (Philadelphia Premiere)
This unflinching drama of violence and revenge makes for classic DAD fare. Korean-Japanese director Yoichi Sai’s brutal film follows a policeman on a deranged crusade to avenge his twin brother’s death at the hands of a ruthless gang of thugs. You want dark? You got it.
The Sperm
Directed by Taweewat Wantha (North America)
Comical mayhem ensues when the citizens of Bangkok are invaded by mutated sperm, masturbating clone babies, busty alien babes and a 50-foot rock star in this crazy mash-up of sci-fi, fantasy and cheeky, teen sex comedies.
Storm
Directed by Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein (North America)
Gut-punching action, gory murders and Matrix-style special effects await you in the ultimate edge-of-your-seat thrill ride!
Stuck
Directed by Stuart Gordon (Philadelphia Premiere)
Based on a true story that inspired a delirious urban legend, filmmaker Stuart Gordon brings you an edge-of-your-seat thriller with his signature brand of unexpected humor, social commentary and red, delicious bloodshed.
Timecrimes
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo (East Coast)
Spanish newcomer Nacho Vigalondo explodes onto the scene with this time travel thriller that boasts more twists and turns than The Usual Suspects.
Trailer Park of Terror
Directed by Steven Goldmann (East Coast)
Saddle up for countrified horror served with dirty double entendres, teens in jeopardy and road kill jerky as the popular comic series from Reading, PA-based Imperium Comics hits the big screen!
Triangle
Directed by Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Johnnie To (East Coast)
Explosive comedy and action-packed adventure erupt as premier Hong Kong directors Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To collaborate to tell a story about three friends’ quest for buried treasure.
Who is KK Downey?
Directed by Darren Curtis and Pat Kiely (Philadelphia Premiere)
Skinny jean enthusiasts beware as the hipster body count piles up in this filthy, expletive-driven and extremely dark satire about the seduction of fame and a counter-culture filled with rampant sex, drugs and electro-pop terror.
Winner of the 2008 Cinequest New Visions Maverick Award.
 
GENRE SPECIFIC FILMS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST IN THE 17TH PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
The Forbidden Kingdom
Directed by Rob Minkoff (Centerpiece Screening)
With fight choreography by Yuen Wo Ping of Kill Bill, Jackie Chan and Jet Li join forces for the first time on the big screen in this martial arts spectacular about a young man who is transported back in time to ancient China, joining forces with a crew of warriors out to rescue the imprisoned Monkey King.
Film Noir
Directed by D. Jud Jones, Risto Topaloski (Film Noir Series)
Classic film noir receives the animated treatment with this deadly detective tale of amnesia, shady dames and gun-toting toughs.
Bag Head
Directed by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass (American Discoveries)
Four sexy aspiring actors take off to a secluded cabin in the woods with the goal of making their first independent feature. They get much more than they planned for in this hilarious and horrific comedy from young the creators of The Puffy Chair.
Blood Brothers
Directed Alex Tan (World Focus)
1930s Shanghai explodes with colorful period detail in this dramatic tale of unbridled greed, questionable alliances and fraternal betrayal.
Vexille
Directed by Fumihiko Sori (Animation Festival presents)
In the second half of the 21st century in a world dangerously influenced by android technology, a U.S. special agent discovers an apocalyptical Tokyo when sent to infiltrate Japan’s decade-long self-imposed exile in this groundbreaking anime feature.
The Pixar Story
Directed by Leslie Iwerks (Documentary Tradition)
The incredible success story of the studio that pioneered the computer animated feature and created such hits as Toy Story, The Incredibles and Ratatouille is told in this star-studded documentary.
Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story
Directed by Jeffrey Schwartz (Documentary Tradition)
Prolific director/producer Jeffrey Schwartz returns with this zany, fun-filled portrait of the innovator of interactive three-dimensional cinema.
SUMMER SCARS
Directed by Julian Richards (World Focus)
A pleasant day in the woods turns into a terrifying and horrific life lesson for a group of kids in this thriller/drama with shades of Stand by Me and Lord of Flies. From the director of The Last Great Horror Movie.
v