Ottawa filmmaker Lee Demarbre, of Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter and Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace fame, is back with another genre gem in the form of The Dead Sleep Easy, a bloody, Mexico-set action flick, starring Canuck tough guy Ian Hodgkinson (who’s a wrestling star in Mexico under the name “Vampiro Canadiense”). Like Demarbre’s previous efforts, the film was written by Ian Driscoll, which means all kinds of delicious exploitation treats are in store for viewers.

Rue Morgue is presenting the Toronto premiere tonight at the Royal (608 College Street), at 9:15pm. RM writer and the man behind Canuxploitation.com, Paul Corupe, will be on hand to moderate a panel with the filmmaker, as well. Paul moderated a panel with Demarbre on it during the Festival of Fear in 2006 and it was not only entertaining, but inspiring for genre fans and low-budget filmmakers alike, so come down, meet the filmmakers and get your fill of Mexploitation with a heaping side of back bacon.

There will an additional screening on Saturday at 9:30 (which I hope to attend).

More info on The Dead Sleep Easy at the film’s official site, here.