By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The new Deadites and many more will be invading the Austin, TX festival in March.
The 30th edition of the SXSW Film & TV Festival takes place March 10-19, and the first wave of titles has been announced, including quite a bit of fright fare. Top of the list is the premiere of an especially anticipated shocker as one of the Headliners:
EVIL DEAD RISE (pictured)
Director/Screenwriter: Lee Cronin; Producer: Rob Tapert. EVIL DEAD RISE tells a twisted tale of two estranged sisters, played by Sutherland and Sullivan, whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable. Executive producers include Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. Cast List: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher
The films playing in the genre-friendly Midnighters lineup have also been revealed:
ABERRANCE (Mongolia)
Director: Baatar Batsukh; Producers: Trevor Doye, Alexa Khan, Angarag Meguun; Screenwriters: Baatar Batsukh, Byambasuren Ganbat. An estranged couple takes a retreat in the woods. Foreboding neighbors, frivolous friends, and dark unseen forces lead to a shocking conclusion. Cast List: Erkhembayar Ganbat, Selenge Chadraabal, Yalalt Namsrai, Oyundary Jamsranjav, Sukhee Ariunbyamba, Bayarsanaa Batchuluun, Badamtsetseg Batmunkh (North American Premiere)
BROOKLYN 45
Director/Screenwriter: Ted Geoghegan; Producers: Seth Caplan, Michael Paszt, Pasha Patriki, Sarah Sharp. In the months following World War II, five old military friends are talked into an impromptu séance, which brings to troubling light each of their haunted pasts. Cast List: Anne Ramsay, Ron E. Rains, Jeremy Holm, Larry Fessenden, Ezra Buzzington, Kristina Klebe (World Premiere)
IT LIVES INSIDE
Director: Bishal Dutta; Producers: Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick; Screenwriters: Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta. An Indian-American teenager struggling with her cultural identity has a falling out with her former best friend and, in the process, unwittingly releases a demonic entity that grows stronger by feeding on her loneliness. Cast List: Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Betty Gabriel, Vik Sahay (World Premiere)
LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (Australia, United Arab Emirates)
Directors/Screenwriters: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes; Producers: Derek Dauchy, Steven Schneider, Roy Lee, Adam White, Mat Govoni. A live television broadcast of a popular late night talk show in 1977 goes horribly wrong during a demonstration of demonic possession, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms. Cast List: David Dastmalchian (World Premiere)
MONOLITH (Australia)
Director: Matt Vesely; Producer: Bettina Hamilton; Screenwriter: Lucy Campbell. All you have to do is listen. A disgraced journalist turns to podcasting to try and rebuild her career–but her rush to generate headlines soon uncovers a strange artifact, an alien conspiracy, and the lies at the heart of her own story. Cast List: Lily Sullivan (International Premiere)
TALK TO ME (Australia)
Directors: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou; Producers: Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton; Screenwriters: Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman. Lonely teenager Mia gets hooked on the thrills of conjuring spirits through a ceramic hand, but when she is confronted by a soul claiming to be her dead mother, she unleashes a plague of supernatural forces. Cast List: Sophie Wilde, Miranda Otto, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio (Texas Premiere)
THE WRATH OF BECKY
Directors/Screenwriters: Matthew Angel, Suzanne Coote; Producers: Raphael Margules, JD Lifshitz, Tracy Rosenblum, Russell Posternak, Chadd Harbold. After living off the grid for two years, Becky finds herself going toe to toe against Darryl, the leader of a fascist organization, on the eve of an organized attack. Cast List: Lulu Wilson, Seann William Scott, Matt Angel, Courtney Gains, Aaron Della Villa, Michael Sirow, Denise Burse-Fernandez, Jill Larson, Kate Siegel (World Premiere)
More info on SXSW can be found at the fest’s official website.
