While my wife went to check out Tale of the Legendary Libido, I was busy making sure we could all get into the world premiere “>Repo! The Genetic Opera (review), which was not nearly as easy as it usually is. Yes, we had our press passes, but because so many people wanted to see this movie, the Fantasia crew had to be sure everyone was taken care of. It all worked out in the end because that’s how much these guys rule.
Director Darren Bousman was on hand for the film’s premiere, of course, as was Bill Moseley, Alexa Vega, writers Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich, and many others from the film. The energy in that theater was insane, let me tell you. You really don’t know what it’s like to see a movie this highly anticipated with a crowd this reverential of all things film. And you know what? The movie fucking rocked.
We spent the rest of the night doing the usual talking and drinking and discussing the movie. Nothing too exciting, though a friend of ours did have her first experience in a strip club. Interesting to see how people react their first time.
After lunch we got the biggest surprise of the festival: the Thai film 4bia. It’s an omnibus directed by four different directors, two of whom were responsible for the original Shutter, and blew everyone away. All four segments were very different from one another, all four were very entertaining, with the final one being a minor exception, and we loved it. It’s so cool to go into a film saying “eh, I’ll give it a chance” and have it just completely defy expectations. Expect a full review very soon!
Finally, the one we were all waiting for: Ryuhei Kitamura’s “>The Midnight Meat Train (review). Kitamura was on hand to intro the film, and let me tell you the man is a badass. Taller than any other Japanese man you’re likely to find, fashionable, and very clear on his intolerance for bullshit.
So now we’re off to see Island of Lost Souls, which isn’t horror but should be entertaining, and tonight is the world premiere of Jim Issac’s Pig Hunt, which I absolutely cannot wait for! You’ll hear more as soon as we’re home safe and sound!