Grimm Up North Announces First Film of 2011 Festival: Martin Kemp’s Stalker

Steve Barton |

Aug 23, 2011

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Grimm Up North Website

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http://www.grimmfest.com

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The third annual Grimm Up North Horror Festival, which takes place in Manchester, England, from October 6th to October 9th, has announced the first film on its 2011 roster, and it’s Martin Kemp’s directorial debut Stalker, starring Billy Murray, Jane March, and Linda Hayden.

From the Press Release:
On Friday, October 7th, the festival will host a very special premiere screening of Stalker – the directorial feature debut of TV and music icon Martin Kemp – ahead of its national theatrical release. In addition, the former Eastenders star and Spandau Ballet bass hero will be joined by members of the film’s cast and crew, including producer Jonathan Sothcott (Devil’s Playground, Dead Cert) and actress Jane March (The Lover, Clash of the Titans) to take part in an exclusive Q&A session after the movie.

Sure to be a controversial festival talking point, Stalker is based on the infamous 1976 sex-and-slash shocker – and previously banned ‘video nasty’ – The House on Straw Hill (aka Expose). For 2011 Kemp has reworked this cult gem into a tense, psychological thriller focusing on memory, identity, and the creative imagination. Fans of the original might also be interested to hear the movie features Linda Hayden, cult horror actress and star of the Seventies chiller, in a supporting role.

Commenting on the film, producer Sothcott said, “Stalker is the slickest, best-directed film we’ve made to date and a genuinely well-made, creepy horror film in its own right. We feel it is strong enough to stand a theatrical release in selected UK cinemas, and we’re looking forward to unleashing it on the world.”

The Grimm Up North team are delighted to be able to unveil Stalker as the first entry in its official 2011 programme and look forward to welcoming director Martin Kemp to the City of Manchester in October. Tickets for this event plus the entire programme will go on sale soon so keep your eyes peeled, Grimmlins.

Stay up-to-date on all the latest via the official Grimm Up North website, befriend them on Facebook, and of course, follow them on Twitter. And don’t forget there’s a new venue this year: the awesome AMC Cinemas in the heart of the gruesome Great Northern Warehouse on the dark end of Deansgate.