Artwork by Chris Bilheimer
I have some exciting news that I’ve been sitting on until now. A few months ago, I was approved for credentials to cover this year’s Fantastic Fest Film Festival as a member of the press! This will be the first film festival I’ve ever attended from start to finish while also screening as many movies as physically (and, it should be noted, psychologically) possible.
The closest I’ve ever come to completing this Mecca-like pilgrimage for cineastes is working as a volunteer for the Oak Cliff Film Festival in my own back yard almost a decade ago. Since I was working as a volunteer, though, I was only able to attend a few screenings. My coverage of Fantastic Fest will be a completely different experience.
I’m making the three-hour road trip from Dallas down to Austin, so it will feel much more like an event. In my imagination and from hearing tales of other critics’ coverage of various film festivals, the most exciting (and exhausting) thing about having full access to a fest’s programming comes in screening a ridiculous number of movies in a limited amount of time. By all accounts, it’s not uncommon by the penultimate or final day to be so exhausted that the last few movies one sees feel more like a dream than reality.
I’m making a solemn vow to you now that I will fulfil that requirement. If there are screenings happening, I will be attending one of them. I’m going to see as much as possible, and I’m planning on reporting back with capsule reviews of everything I see.
Launched in 2005, the 2022 iteration of Fantastic Fest will be its 17th – they were forced to cancel in 2020 because of, say it with me, the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-founded by Tim League and associated with his Alamo Drafthouse theater chain, Fantastic Fest’s raison d'être is to shine a light on horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and cult genre films, among others.
With 80+ screenings programmed, I won’t list every entry, but I want to offer a quick rundown of the movies I’m most anticipating catching during the fest (synopses are quoted from the official Fantastic Fest guide, with additional comments from me):
All Jacked Up and Full of Worms: “A psychedelic journey of self-discovery leads to romance when a man shares his addiction to psychotropic worms... and Chicago will never be the same.” This sounds too bonkers to miss. It’s part of a new feature for this year’s fest called Burnt Ends, which “showcase[s]… outlier and outsider media that intersect definitions of genre, avant-garde, and trash art, while shattering all traditional borders of taste and convention… Like BBQ ‘burnt ends,’ these films may not be to a general audience’s taste, but those who have acclimated to their delicacy know that they are, in fact, the best.” Yes, please. Director Alex Phillips will be in attendance.
The Banshees of Inisherin: “Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.” I have reservations about this one, as I absolutely hated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the last movie by the director, Martin McDonagh. I’ve seen the trailer a few times, though, and I have to admit, what McDonagh is seemingly exploring here – the most celebrated thinkers and artists of antiquity were most likely assholes, but we still remember them – is very intriguing to me. I’m also interested in Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell’s lead performances. Director McDonagh will be in attendance.
Bones and All: “A story of first love between Maren, a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee, an intense and disenfranchised drifter; a liberating road odyssey of two young people coming into their own, searching for identity and chasing beauty in a perilous world that cannot abide who they are.” The new film from Luca Guadagnino, director of Call Me By Your Name. Need I say more? I will: Guadagnino is teaming up again with his Call Me star Timothée Chalamet. Apparently, cannibalism is involved. Can’t wait. Guadagnino will be in attendance.
Decision to Leave: “Laced with wicked humor, master filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s dazzlingly cinematic romantic thriller surprises and delights to the very last.” This will, somehow, be my first Chan-wook, who directed cult favorites like Oldboy and The Handmaiden. The director will be in attendance.
King on Screen: “A documentary exploration of the many screen adaptations of the work of Stephen King, with commentary from the filmmakers he’s influenced the most.” As a kid, I was obsessed with King, so this is a must for me. Director Daphné Baiwir will be in attendance.
The Legacy of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: “Fest alumnus Phillip Escott presents a journey into THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, exploring the elements that garnered the film its cult status.” ‘Nuff said. Director Phillip Escott will be in attendance.
Living with Chucky: “The daughter of one of Chucky’s puppeteers examines the family relationships that contributed to the success of the queer camp classic CHILD’S PLAY.” I have never once thought of Child’s Play as queer camp (in my defense, I’ve seen it once, when I was probably 15). I can’t wait for an exploration of that angle. Director Kyra Gardner will be in attendance.
Lynch/Oz: “Documentary filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe dissects director David Lynch’s lifelong obsession with THE WIZARD OF OZ.” Have I told you about my David Lynch obsession?
The Menu: “A couple (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travels to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.” I’ve seen this trailer approximately 600 times now, and I’m still interested. Director Mark Mylod will be in attendance.
Satanic Hispanics: “Five crazy and original shorts from five entertaining Hispanic directors, together in an anthology that will make you laugh and jump in fright.” I love a good anthology movie! Directors Mike Mendez, Demian Rugna, Eduardo Sanchez, Gigi Saul Guerrero & Alejandro Brugues will be in attendance.
The Stairway to Stardom Mixtape: “Culled from more than 15 hours of footage, the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) presents the definitive cut of public access TV’s most otherworldly show.” In addition to this, the AGFA – another Tim League co-founded venture – will be holding a series of secret screenings. You have no idea when you show up to the theater what kind of bonkers genre treasure you’ll see. The Alamo in Richardson, TX held one of these screenings almost a decade ago for a film called Never Too Young to Die, starring John “Have Mercy” Stamos, and it was glorious. I’ll be making as many of these secret screenings as possible.
Triangle of Sadness: “In Ruben Östlund’s wickedly funny Palme d’Or winner, social hierarchy is turned upside down, revealing the tawdry relationship between power and beauty. Celebrity model couple, Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean), are invited on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich, helmed by an unhinged boat captain (Woody Harrelson). What first appeared instagrammable ends catastrophically, leaving the survivors stranded on a desert island and fighting for survival.” This will be my first Östlund. By all accounts, I’m in for one hell of a trip.
That alone is 12 screenings in 8 days. And it’s only a fraction of what will be on offer during the fest, which takes place between the 22nd and 29th of September. There’s a virtual option available called FF@Home, if you can’t make it in person. Check back here every day during the fest to see my reactions to everything I’ve seen.
Cheers, and I’ll see you at the movies!