By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Fresh from its Audience Award-winning world-premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival, the documentary is now headed for wider exposure.
The official trailer and new festival poster have been unveiled for HAIL TO THE DEADITES, directed by Steve Villeneuve. The synopsis: “Inspired by the 1983 classic’s cult following, HAIL TO THE DEADITES is a documentary about the fans of the EVIL DEAD franchise. Through interviews with the cast, crew, collectors, fans, freaks and geeks, HAIL TO THE DEADITES seeks to illuminate the darkest reaches of the EVIL DEAD franchise’s undying and still-growing popularity, a popularity that has spawned four films, a TV series, comic books and figurines, and surpassed even its creators’ wildest dreams. HAIL TO THE DEADITES puts the spotlight on the fans that cultivated and spread this groovy pop-culture infection! It celebrates those who’ve celebrated the films!”
In addition to EVIL DEAD devotees and journalists (including–full disclosure–this writer), the documentary also features interviews with the franchise’s cast members and crew such as Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly (a.k.a. Sarah York), Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor (a.k.a. Hal Delrich), Tom Sullivan, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley DePaiva, Sarah Berry, Rick Domeier and Bill Moseley. HAIL TO THE DEADITES has been picked up for Canadian distribution by Indiecan Entertainment, with Raven Banner Entertainment handling international sales. In addition to its Fantasia berth, the doc also had its international premiere last month at London’s FrightFest, and will play forthcoming fests including the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, Ramaskrik Film Festival, Midwest Horrorfest, Nightmare Film Festival and South African Horrorfest.
