Looking forward has a profound effect on one’s mental health. It has this way of giving us hope for the future in these dark times where depression seems like it’s at an all time high. Every year we make resolutions for things we hope to accomplish in the coming days and months following the ritual of a ball dropping. Despite how crazy life seems to get these days there is always one thing that we, at Abyss Gazing, look forward to every year. That would be none other than Canada’s premiere film festival in Fantastia Film Festival. Much like past variations of the film festival, this year’s festival promises to offer some truly vibrant, weird and straight up bizarre treats. Here are a couple of this year’s entries we can’t wait to feast our eyes on.
[Mark]
The Ark
Photo Courtesy of Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
Fantasia has always brought a solid selection of SciFi features. The Ark seems to be following that trend. With a post apocalyptic future on a frozen wasteland of earth, what more of a premise do you need for this to sound more interesting. Plus I’m a nerd that loves good sc-fi.
Noroi
Photo Courtesy of Japan Foundation and Hollywood Suite
As a fan of found footage, Noroi is a staple of the genre with the Asian flair horror fans have come to love. Noroi is a solid entry and I'm looking forward to seeing it again.
[Billy]
REDUX REDUX
Photo Courtesy of Mothership Motion Pictures
Sci-Fi thrillers have always been one of my favorite genres. The view of something that can be futuristic and relatable always catches my attention. The preview shows what lengths a parent would go through to avenge their child and with the writers and producers of Cobra Kai attached to this film I have high hopes for this one.
It Ends
Photo Courtesy of Growing Up Dead Films
The film shows that it is primarily from a car setting which sounds simple, but can be amazing if done right. The story seems to be based on a road trip with 4 college friends gone wrong. I could not really find any trailers on this one which makes this even more intriguing to me.
[Josh]
Désolé, Pardon, Je m'excuse
Photo Courtesy of Fantasia Festival
Films that are birthed from France seem to be some of the best films I’ve ever come across in all honesty. I don’t know If it’s because of luck or if there is something in the water but French cinema has always captivated me. From the drama, Alice, which made my best of the year list in 2020 to having the delightful comedy Welcome to Candy’s during our 2022 Horrific Hope selections. Let’s not forget the wave of French extremism that poured in during the early 2000’s with intense gems like High Tension and Irreversible. The selection Désolé, Pardon, Je m'excuse certainly sounds like it’s going to continue on in that trend. The horror comedy depicts a woman obsessed with torture videos who decides to make her own until her first potential victim presents an unexpected twist. Honestly, this film sounds hilarious and could also lean very heavily into the themes of mental health our publication is known for.
Good Boy
Photo Courtesy of Shudder
This has been one of my most anticipated films of the year since it premiered earlier this year at SXSW. I’m a sucker for a good dog movie. As long as the dog doesn’t die in the end. We all know John Wick was right in his pursuit. However, Good Boy also seems to breathing some refreshing life into the found footage genre. A subgenre that I have a true love-hate relationship with. I don’t need another Paranormal Activity or Blair Witch but rather something new, something different and exciting and Good Boy certainly seems to fit that mold.
I will even put an honorable mention here as well for the extremely short film Exit the Red Room David Lynch is my favorite director of all time. His death earlier this year felt like a gut punch I wasn’t quite ready for. Having re-watched all nine of his feature films, some of his short films and restarting Twin Peaks - I’m completely in love with this idea of this short film serving as a tribute to his legacy.
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 988. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. We do not own nor claim any rights.
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