Interview with Isaac Ezban

10 Questions with Isaac Ezban, director of PARALLEL

Q: PARALELL is the first film you didn’t write yourself (Scott Blaszak did) but it feels so like one from your heart - dealing with the ramifications of identity, life-shattering decision-making and the possibilities of an endless universe as also explored in THE INCIDENT and THE SIMILARS?

Yes, that its right, I had many firsts on this one: first movie in English, first movie outside of my country with a completely new crew, first studio film, first film in Canada, and first film I didn´t write, and all those firsts added up to an amazing experience. After THE INCIDENT and THE SIMILARS, I really had the curiosity to do sci-fi in English, and also of doing a film I didn´t write, of jumping on board someone else´s story and bring my vision and style to it. I read many scripts and suddenly I read PARALLEL and I was like – HOLY SHIT!!! I NEED to direct this movie!  My vision was to create a FLATLINERS meets THE SOCIAL NETWORK, a movie that would feel both serious and fun, both sci-fi and drama, both classic and very modern, and that was in the script.


Q: It’s your first film in the English language, did that cause any problems for you?

Not at all. Luckily my English is good and it almost felt like directing in my own language.

Q: Georgia King (TORMENTED) is one of our favourite actors. Why did you cast her? And how did you manage to get such Hollywood royalty as Kathleen Quinlan involved?

Georgia is a force to be reckoned with! I needed an actress that could convey that strength, smartness and also beauty and innocence that Leena has and it was amazing to find Georgia for the role. It’s also a role that has some comedy to it and I liked her comedic background. For that opening role (its kind of our Drew Barrymore on SCREAM), we wanted an older actress, one that had a lot of experience and a name people could recognize. Kathleen was amazing to work with. I simply could not believe I was working with an Oscar nominated actress… she was great, so professional and talented.


Q: PARALELL is essentially a sci-fi fantasy but its serious intent is being more an exploration of the ethics of manipulating destiny?

Exactly, on one hand it’s a great, mind-blowing story where we touch the tip of the iceberg regards the ramifications of parallel universes and such, and a classic sci-fi story of playing with fire - a classic fable of characters finding a special power and playing with it a bit too much, As a metaphor on ambition it resembles films like SHALLOW GRAVE, CHRONICLE, FLATLINERS, PRIMER, but is a sci-fi version,


Q: There are some terrific alternate universe touches like when Josh comes across a DVD copy of a ‘Frankenstein’ remake starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone! You must have had fun with those?

Yes, we had a lot of fun with all that! We had stories of parallel universes before, but never through the world of intellectual property, art, gadgets, ideas you can steal, etc.), and I like how the film is mainly about these four guys who belong to the new generation of entrepreneurs that want to be the next Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs, so, the premise is, what if one of those guys would find this infinite portal to infinite ideas? And that’s mainly what the film is about.


Q: What we liked most about PARALLEL is that it’s a very compelling character study beyond it progressing from the comedic to the horrific. Was that always your intention?

Yes, completely! I´m happy you say that because, for me, the film is more a character drama than a sci-fi film, and all those movies I mentioned we had as reference are all like that, great character explorations! The ramifications of the relationships between the four characters are really interesting (each has a very special relationship with the other), and those are my favourite sci-fi movies, the ones that explore human metaphor, which,  in PARALLEL, is human ambition, this great force that makes us so strong, and that can also destroy us.

Q: You shot the movie in Vancouver, how was working in Canada and out of your Latin American comfort zone?

It was an amazing experience working in Vancouver.  I love the city (I want to live there) and the producers had a great vision of bringing a DP from Toronto, a director from Mexico, an actress and an actor from the UK, an actor from Sweden and an actor from Canada and put them all together in the same building. We had a lot of fun together.


Q: Are you still involved in Sony’s plan of bringing Dan Simmons' acclaimed horror novel ‘Summer Of Night’ to the screen?

Yes, still involved and very excited about it. It’s moving slowly, as development is always complicated when adapting such a long and complex novel, but I know we will get to it soon enough! Very excited about that project.


Q: You are also in the business of film exhibition and are one of the founders of the Autocinema Coyote, the first Drive-In Theatre to open in Mexico City for over 30 years. Are you essentially making the sort of movies you want to see playing in such a classic venue?

That’s a great question… originally yes, that was the idea, although we now play all kinds of stuff as its one of the only theaters in the world where the audience choose the programming. We also opened the Drive-in to give back that experience to the people, and because it’s something we never had…


Q: Your 2010 short NASTY STUFF prompted fellow Mexican director Guillermo del Toro to say he was impatient to see you tackle a feature film. What do you think he would say now after you actually making three?

I have met him in person. He´s an amazing human being and an amazing director, and I’m trying to learn from him on both ends. I know he has seen my first movie THE INCIDENT and really liked it, gave me a quote for the poster and all, and has always supported me and knows of what I´m doing. I would love to work with him one day.

PARALLEL plays at Arrow Video FrightFest Halloween on Sat 3rd October, Cineworld Leicester Sq.

Tickets: https://frightfest.nutickets.com/52948

First Poster for Korean Zombie Film Rampant

Rampant is a 2018 South Korean historical action zombie film directed by Kim Sung-hoon. It was released on October 25, 2018.

The action story of a hero named Yi Chung (Hyun Bin) who fights against “Night Demons” to save the Joseon nation. Yi Chung is the son of the king, and the greatest martial artist in the world. Although he is given to the Qing Empire as a political hostage, he returns home when his brother, the Crown Prince Yi Young (Kim Tae-woo), calls him back after many years. And it’s because of the nightmarish monsters plaguing the country that Yi Chung is tasked to destroy. Prince Yi Chung (Hyun Bin) will be fighting the nightmarish monsters alongside Kim Ja-joon (Jang Dong-gun) and Deok-hee (Lee Sun-bin)

Interview with John Everson by David Kempf

"John Everson is the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of the novels Covenant, Sacrifice, The 13th, Siren and The Pumpkin Man, all released by Dorchester/Leisure Books in paperback and by Delirium, Necro and Bad Moon Books in limited hardcover. His sixth novel, NightWhere, was a 2012 Bram Stoker Award Finalist. The Family Tree, NightWhere and Violet Eyes, his "creepy spider novel" were released from Samhain Publishing. In January 2017, Redemption, the long-awaited sequel to his novels Covenant and Sacrificewas released. His 10th novel, The House By The Cemetery will be released in October 2018 from Flame Tree Press."

When did you first become interested in writing?

I’ve been interested in writing since I learned to write! I was a voracious reader as a kid, and early on, I realized I wanted to do for other people what my favorite authors did for me – take them to a new and strange place, and hopefully put them on the edge of their seat a few times. Give them an escape from the everyday. I thought authors were the most amazing people because they could create entire worlds … and then take me to them.


How did you get involved in fantasy/horror?

While I read mostly science fiction growing up, when I began to “tell tales,” it always seemed like I came up with stories that had a dark twist at the end. Even my alien tales ended up twisted endings. I realized early on, that my natural predilection as a creative was to explore “the dark side” vs. intergalactic intrigues.  After writing some stories in a creative writing class in college (which the instructor criticized as being “too much like Stephen King”) after college I began writing some more stories on the weekends and submitting old and new pieces to magazines. When acceptances started coming in… I started writing even more.


Tell us about your first publisher. 

I published with a variety of magazines from 1994-2000, one of which was Delirium Magazine. When that publisher decided to launch an independent book line, they offered to issue a hardcover collection of the stories I’d been publishing throughout the ‘90s. The result was Cage of Bones & Other Deadly Obsessions, my first book. I went on to publish my first two novels with Delirum as well – Covenant and Sacrifice – along with a novelette – Failure. And then Leisure Books offered to reissue both of my first novels in mass market paperback… and suddenly I was reaching tens of thousands of readers rather than only a couple hundred. It was an exciting time!


Did studying journalism help you as a fiction writer?

I would guess so. It helped teach me the importance of clear description and not “burying the lead.” Get to the point early, or you lose people. So I don’t think I’m an overly “flowery” fiction writer – because I don’t spend a page describing the room. Hopefully that means I move the tale along quickly.

How did winning the Stoker Award change your life?

It helped give my work some credibility. My name was starting to become a little familiar to genre fans at that point, because I’d had dozens of stories published over the past 10 years, but the award certainly helped build on that reputation. I’m sure it helped in the decision to give my novels a shot at Leisure Books, and I know for sure the award gained me my first publishing deal in Poland – a publisher there approached me specifically because of that. They translated Covenant and released an initial pressing of 3,000 copies in Poland in 2007 – at a time when it was only available in the United States in a 250-copy limited edition hardcover. So at one point I had more books available in Poland than I did at home!

How would you classify the genre you write?

I write supernatural, erotic horror. Basically stories with demons, ghosts and dark magic, that tend to have sexual content. Because, well… you have to keep it interesting!


Why do you think horror and fantasy books remain so popular?

I wish I thought that horror books were popular. While Science Fiction, Fantasy and Mystery genres all have dedicated sections among the shelves of Barnes & Noble stores, horror is ignored – it’s relegated to the ghetto of the general fiction shelves… which means if you’re looking for a “horror” book in B&N, you’ll have a hard time finding it, unless you know what you’re looking for. Horror has long been one of the poorest selling genres in book form, despite its popularity in film.   


What inspires your stories?

Life! I see things and sometimes an image or a news story or the words someone says trigger the what if…? factor in my brain. I think about “what if” and suddenly I’m down some twisted story path. There’s no better answer than that really. Sometimes the mind just comes up the best “worst case” scenarios.


What are your favorite horror books?

Edward Lee’s early novels like Succubi, Incubi and Coven had me reading them in just one sitting. That’s the sign of a perfect novel to me – the book you simply can’t put down. I remember reading his City Infernal in a single day one 4th of July. Clive Barker’s The Damnation Game and Great and Secret Show were big novels for me too, as were Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour, Exit To Eden and Vampire Lestat. And of course, Stephen King’s early books like Carrie, Firestarter and Pet Sematary.


What are some of your favorite horror movies?
I’m a huge fan of European horror, so Dario Argento’s Suspiria and Phenomena are cornerstones for me, as are Lucio Fulci’s Zombi 2 and The Beyond and Jose Ramon Larraz’s Vampyres.  One of my favorite directors was France’s Jean Rollin, whose films Living Dead Girl, Fascination and Lips of Blood present some of the most poetic erotic horror films ever lensed. Harry Kumel’s Daughters of Darkness and Emilio Miraglia’s The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave are also excellent.


What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as an author?

It was a big thing for me to finish my first novel – Covenant, because I kept losing faith that I could ever finish a novel and I’d put it aside for months at a time. To have that book win the Bram Stoker Award when it was finally published… was amazing.  I think creatively the greatest thing for me was writing NightWhere. I first thought of the idea for the novel while writing Covenant… but it took me a decade before I was brave enough to write the book because of the extreme themes. So that book was a challenge to write because of what it was. And then that became a Bram Stoker Finalist and a bestseller for me in translation in Germany. So those two books are important milestones for me.

             
Do you have any advice for new writers?

Write! Everyone talks about writing, but you only produce publishable pieces – and hopefully improve your craft – by writing. Every week. Some would say every day, but I’ve never had the time to do that. I do write creatively a day or two at least every week though. It can also be really instructive to read your work aloud either to yourself in the mirror, or better yet, at open mic nights where you can gauge the reaction of the audience. There’s nothing like seeing an audience react to – or not react to – the things you think in your head are genius. It’s really instructive for the editing process. You’ll hear extraneous words or gawky dialogue in a way you never will sitting at your computer typing them.


 What is your opinion of the new self-publishing trend?

It’s easy, and instantly gratifying… but largely a dead end. Just because you can publish something on your own, doesn’t mean you should. At the end of the day, if you want to reach readers, you need credibility and a marketing machine behind you to expose your work to people. Self-publishing is great if you want to say you wrote something and it’s available. But that’s the easy part. Getting people to read your book when there are millions of book choices out there is the hard part. A vast amount of self-published work is poorly edited, with amateurish book covers, and has no marketing to get it exposed to readers… so it will wallow in obscurity, even if the story is really good work. There are exceptions, surely. But if you want a true career as an author – convince a real publisher to put money behind your work.


What are your current projects?

I’m working on my 11th novel, titled The Devil’s Equinox. I’m planning to have it turned in to my publisher by Christmas!


Please in your own words, write a paragraph about yourself & your work. 
 
You can sum me up in less than ten words -- I like hot peppers and old horror! I always say that I’m a staunch advocate for the culinary joys of the jalapeno and an unabashed fan of 1970s European horror cinema. I’m the author of ten novels, including the latest The House By The Cemetery, which takes place at a real haunted cemetery -- Bachelor’s Grove -- in the south suburbs of Chicago. My first novel Covenant, was a winner of the Bram Stoker Award and my sixth, NightWhere, was a finalist for the award.  Other novels include Redemption, the conclusion to the trilogy begun in Covenant, as well as Violet Eyes, The Pumpkin Man, Siren and The 13th. Over the past 25 years, my short stories have appeared in more than 75 magazines and anthologies. I’m also the founder of the independent press Dark Arts Books and Ihave written novelettes for The Vampire Diaries and Jonathan Maberry’s V-Wars universe (Books 1 and 3), the latter of which is currently being developed for NetFlix. I’ve also written stories for The Green Hornet and Kolchak, The Night Stalker anthologies. I have had several short fiction collections published, including Needles & Sins, Vigilantes of Love, Cage of Bones & Other Deadly Obsessions and most recently, Sacrificing Virgins. For more on my obsession with jalapenos and 1970s European horror cinema, as well as information on my fiction, art and music, visit www.johneverson.com.


Links:
www.johneverson.com

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Competition: Win Sicario 2: Soldado on DVD

Sicario 2: Soldado arrives on DVD & Blu-ray on 29 October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away on DVD

Synopsis
From director Stefano Sollima, Sicario 2: Soldado is an uncompromising, unflinching look into the ruthless world of drug cartels – and the extremes that some will go to end the terror. The chaotic narrative and unrelenting pace of the film requires a score that can keep up with the action. Hildur Guðnadóttir delivers a powerful and captivating score to beautifully compliment the gripping scenes and intriguing characters. The score succeeds in creating a constant sense of dread and danger rendering the audience unable to relax for even a moment. Sicario 2: Soldado is an unmissable movie experience.

Click here to buy from Amazon (Opens in a new window)

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Send you name, address and of course the answer to competition@mastersofhorror.co.uk

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 05-11-18
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Hammer Classics Season to premiere on Horror Channel

From November 3, Horror Channel celebrates vintage 1950s home-grown fantasy and horror with a HAMMER CLASSICS SEASON, The primetime Saturday night season, consisting of four network premieres, which star the iconic Peter Cushing, kicks off with Val Guest’s atmospheric masterpiece, THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN, The other three, all directed by Terence Fisher, are the highly successful adaptations of the classic Universal monster movies: the brilliantly lurid THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957), the hypnotically sensual and gory DRACULA (1958), which launched Cushing and Christopher Lee into global stardom, and THE MUMMY (1959), perhaps the most critically well-received Hammer movie of all time.



Full film details of season in transmission order:

Sat 3 Nov @ 21:00 – THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (1957) – *Network Premiere
An adaptation of a drama by Nigel Kneale, creator of the Quatermass series, this horror fantasy stars Peter Cushing as scientist John Rollason, who, ignoring his wife's objections, joins an expedition lead by brash American Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker). They are searching for the legendary yeti in the high Himalayas - a quest with deadly consequences.


Sat 10 Nov @ 21:00 – THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957) * Network Premiere
Scientist Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) will stop at nothing in his quest to reanimate a deceased body and assembles a hideous creature (Christopher Lee) out of dead body parts. He succeeds in bringing it to life, but the monster is not as obedient or docile as Frankenstein expected…


Sat 17 Nov @ 21:00 – DRACULA (1958) *Network Premiere
On a search for his missing friend, Jonathan Harker (John Van Eyssen), vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) is led to Count Dracula's (Christopher Lee) castle, where he finds an undead Harker in Dracula's crypt and discovers that the count's next target is Harker's ailing fiancée, Lucy Holmwood (Carol Marsh). With the help of her brother, Arthur (Michael Gough), Van Helsing is determined to protect Lucy and put an end to Count Dracula's parasitic reign of terror.


Sat 24 Nov @ 21:00 – THE MUMMY (1959) *Network Premiere
When a family of British archaeologists (Peter Cushing, Felix Aylmer and Raymond Huntley) discover the ancient tomb of an Egyptian High Princess, Kharis (Christopher Lee), a mummy of a high priest who has been buried alive, comes to life to seek retribution against the trespassers of the tomb.       

There are also Friday night network premieres for darkly gripping sci-fi thriller SPLICE, John Carpenter’s brilliant body-mangling monster horror THE THING, starring Kurt Russell, Aussie shark schlockfest BAIT, the 2008 US remake of THE EYE, starring Jessica Alba and psychological thriller HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, starring Jennifer Lawrence.


Plus, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE returns for the network premiere of Season 3, from Friday 2 November at 8pm.

Horror Channel: Be Afraid
TV: Sky 317 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 70 / Freesat 138

Competition: Win The Changeling Bluray

The Changeling is out on Blu-ray 29th October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away.

Synopsis

Following the tragic death of his wife and daughter in a car crash, composer John Russell leaves the city and retires to an old mansion in the hope of rebuilding his life. The peace and quiet he craves is soon disturbed however. Unexplained noises are just the beginning. Convinced there is a supernatural presence in the house he enlists the help a local historian. What they uncover is more shocking than he could ever have imagined.

The Changeling is one of the most chilling and highly acclaimed horror films of all time.

Buy from Amazon UK by clicking here (Opens in a new window)

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 05-11-18
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Interview with Julian Richards

Ahead of the World premiere screening of REBORN at Arrow Video FrightFest Halloween, Julian Richards discusses the torturerous challenges of DADDY'S GIRL, why he wishes every actress was like Barbara Crampton and future plans, including directing the English language remake of RABIES.


Q: After six years away from directing, you have two films, REBORN and DADDY'S GIRL poised for distribution. Why these two very different films now?

My previous film SHIVER was completed in 2012 and it took longer for me to get back into the directing saddle because of commitments I had to my sales company Jinga Films. The company was growing quickly and needed more of my time and energy. We had grown from handling three films a year to handling ten films a year and our titles were getting stronger. At the same time my wife and I decided to have a family and in 2016 we became parents to twins. I think we both underestimated how demanding parenthood would be, and understandably, I lost momentum with the directing projects that i was developing.

But I had no intention of giving up on directing and was always on the lookout for new opportunities. The first, DADDY'S GIRL came from an unexpected source; an Indian broadcaster Zee Studios, based in Dubai who approached me to help them put together a slate of three horror films that they planned to shoot in Eastern Europe. I sent them three scripts from which they chose DADDY'S GIRL for me to direct and OPEN 24 HOURS for Padraig Reynolds to direct. My sales company Jinga Films represents two of Padraig's earlier films RITES OF SPRING and WORRY DOLLS, so I was happy to share this opportunity with him.

The next opportunity came during Cannes when I was asked by John Penney and Brian Yuzna to recommend directors for REBORN, a feature they were planning to produce in Los Angeles. I recommended myself,  gave feedback on the screenplay and was quickly hired for the project. Of course, the idea of directing two feature films in 12 months whilst raising twins was daunting, but I had lost time to make up for, and with the support of my wife, Rosana,  I (we) somehow managed to do it.

Q:  DADDY'S GIRL is a contentious, challenging film, to say the least. Did you have reservations about the storyline, given the way the film industry is shifting morally and sexually?

The screenplay for DADDY'S GIRL that went into production is different from the original screenplay. The original had a Haute Tension-esque twist whereby several characters in the story turn out to be the same character, the protagonist, with many events taking place inside her mind. It was this deeply psychological context that attracted me to the script, but the producers didn't like it and so it was removed. Without this twist, and with the torture scenes actually happening rather than being the machinations of a deranged mind, the project was in danger of becoming just another torture porn film, and being a sales agent as well as a director, I was acutely aware of the problems this might cause, particularly post #metoo. So, I introduced a new theme to the story, making both the killer and the cop Iraq war veterans and linking the torture to Abu Ghraib, turning the film into a metaphor for the anxieties of post Iraq war America. When I directed the torture scenes, I panned away or cut away from anything too extreme or degrading, focusing instead on the protagonist as she watches. Re-action is stronger than action, and horror is more effective when left to the imagination. The producers did question my direction, they wanted less clothes and more torture, but I did not want to make an exploitation film and personally I felt uncomfortable taking the material in this direction. Ultimately DADDY'S GIRL is not a film about a bad guy torturing women, it is a film about a captive women staving off the desire to commit suicide and choosing to survive instead.


Q: Jemma Dallender puts in a brave, compelling performance. What she your first choice for the role?

Actually, we first cast Jemma as the vigilante, but when two of the actresses cast to play Zoe pulled out we had to re-shuffle our cast and offered Jemma the lead. She jumped at the opportunity because she had never played a character like that before.


Q: You extract an equally commanding performance from Barbara Crampton in REBORN. What was it like working with such a genre legend?

When I read the script for REBORN, Barbara was the first actress I thought about for the part of Lena, so I was really pleased when she agreed to board the project. Actually another actress was already attached to the project but had to leave just before we started shooting, so when Barbara arrived she only had a couple of days to prepare. It was a fraught start to the production but she was like the cavalry coming to the rescue.

Barbara gives commanding performances in all her films, so all a director has to do is cast her and provide her with a good script with good dialogue. Occasionally I would step in and ask for a little less or a little more, but generally speaking, you just roll the camera on Barbara and often you get what you need in one or two takes. Working with Barbara is therefore a director's dream. She comes fully prepared and is willing to go above the call of duty to get the best result for the film. I wish every actress were like Barbara...


Q: Even though REBORN is a violent supernatural thriller, at heart it's a moving story of a young woman's search and reunion with her birth mother. How did you find balancing the emotional narrative with the brutal tone of its visual effects?

It was the mother, daughter reunion aspect of the story that attracted me to REBORN. The script had a strong, dramatic, emotional through-line which reminded me of Frankenstein. Most horror scripts don't have such a strong dramatic ingredient, so I knew that this was something special. However, the script was lacking in strong horror beats, so I did a directors pass, ramping up the kill scenes in which Tess uses her electro-kinetic power. The Omen franchise became an influence here, dramatic family scenes intercut with inventive murder set pieces. Of course, Carrie was also an influence, as was The Fury and Scanners. The film has a strong sense of nostalgia for the genre, so I introduced a meta-horror ending to give it a contemporary twist.


Q: Juggling a career as a film director with that of running an established sales and distribution company (Jinga) must be a constant challenge. How do you do it? Do both give you equal satisfaction?

I moved into sales after making THE LAST HORROR MOVIE. I put a lot of my own money into that film and needed to make sure that I got it back. I also wanted to learn more about the business side of films and sales seemed to be the most immediate and accessible way to do that. I never intended to switch career, but I did need to do something that would provide me with a more reliable income. Jinga went from strength to strength and by the time we released A SERBIAN FILM in 2012, we had established ourselves as one of the key genre companies in the World. It was, and still is, an incredible learning curve and it compliments my film-making in many ways.

I think the opportunity to direct DADDY'S GIRL and REBORN came because of my experience in sales, so although Jinga initially diverted me away from directing, it ultimately provided opportunities that I might not have got going through the conventional employment channels such as agents and managers.


Q: You made a massive impact with THE LAST HORROR MOVIE and many people are still hankering for a sequel. Is this on the cards?

I did toy with the idea, about doing something with Max on Facebook and Twitter etc., but technology and social habits are evolving so quickly that I was concerned that any script that we came up with would be dated by the time it got made. Also, the market has changed. There is not much of an appetite for found footage, and crime films are less popular than supernatural. If somebody out there has a viable idea and wants to write a sequel to THE LAST HORROR MOVIE, I would certainly consider making it.


Q: When you look at the Jinga library, are there any films you would have liked to have made?

Well, A SERBIAN FILM does spring to mind, but actually no, I don't think I'm capable of that level of transgression. The three films I would choose are STILL/BORN, OUR EVIL and THE HOUSE AT THE END OF TIME. All have a strong family drama at their core which gives them a greater sense of reality, despite the supernatural events wreaking havoc elsewhere in their stories.


Q: You come from Wales but your last film shot there was the BAFTA Cymru award-winning SUMMER SCARS. Do you plan to return to your homeland to make more movies?

The first opportunity I got to direct a feature came from Wales, when I received lottery finance from Film Agency Wales to make DARKLANDS, which is arguably the first Welsh horror movie and which has been credited as kickstarting a new wave of UK genre production which continues to this day. Film Agency Wales also supported SUMMER SCARS, and without this support I may not have been able to achieve the level of success that I have obtained, so I owe them and Wales a huge debt of gratitude. I would love to make more films in Wales, particularly films that focus on Welsh history, myth and folklore. If any writers out there have a script that I could shoot in Wales, please send it my way and I would be happy to read it.


Q: Finally, what's next for Julian Richards?

I am in talks with Israeli production company UCM to co-produce and direct the English language re-make of RABIES and I am also developing  an action thriller based on the terrorist attack on British holiday makers in Tunisia. I am also involved as a co-producer with the English language re-make of THE HOUSE AT THE END OF TIME which is currently in development at Good Fear.

REBORN has its World Premiere at Arrow Video FrightFest Halloween, Cineworld, Leicester Square on 3 Nov, 10.40am.
http://www.frightfest.co.uk/tickets.html

BBC One and Netflix team up to co-produce Dracula from Sherlock producers Hartswood Films

BBC One has commissioned Dracula from the co-creators of multi-award-winning hit BBC drama Sherlock. It will be produced by Hartswood Films and is a co-production between BBC One and Netflix.

The 3x90’ mini-series is written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss and inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic novel. Three feature length episodes will re-introduce the world to Dracula, the vampire who made evil sexy. In Transylvania in 1897, the blood-drinking Count is drawing his plans against Victorian London. And be warned: the dead travel fast.

Co-creators, writers and executive producers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss said, “There have always been stories about great evil. What’s special about Dracula, is that Bram Stoker gave evil its own hero.”

Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content, says:“Genius duo Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss turn their attentions to Dracula for unmissable event television on BBC One."

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: “Steven and Mark’s ingenious vision for Dracula is as clever as it is chilling. In their talented hands the fans will experience the power of Bram Stoker’s creation as if completely anew. We are thrilled to be collaborating with them and the brilliant team at Hartswood on yet another iconic British series.”

Larry Tanz, Vice President, Content Acquisition, Netflix, says: “We can’t wait to bring Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ brilliant storytelling to our members around the world and we are eager to collaborate on yet another series with the BBC.”

Sue Vertue, Executive Producer, Hartswood Films, says: "We are absolutely thrilled to be back at the BBC, and also delighted that Netflix are coming on board with Dracula. There’s nothing like fresh blood.”

Dracula was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content and Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama. It is written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss; executive producers are Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and Sue Vertue for Hartswood Films, Ben Irving for BBC and will be handled by Larry Tanz for Netflix.

The series will premiere on BBC One in the UK and on Netflix outside of the UK, and China where the service is not available. BBC Studios Distribution, who brokered the deal with Netflix for Hartswood Films, is the international distributor.

Competition: Win Down A Dark Hall on DVD

Down A Dark Hall is out on Digital and DVD 22nd October

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away.

Synopsis

In an old mansion deep within the forest, Blackwood Boarding School promises to turn rebellious teens into straight-laced young adults. Desperate for a fix to her daughter’s dissident behaviour, Kit Gordy’s mother sees no other option. Kit (AnnaSofia Robb) is placed in a class with four other equally reluctant teens, miles from any outsiders and no contact with the outside world.

There is something odd about the enigmatic Madame Duret (Uma Thurman) who’s unconventional methods unsettle her pupils. Strange inexplicable events occur during the night, and the girl’s behaviour grows increasingly unnerving.

The girls must band together to unravel the terrifying secrets at the heart of Blackwood Boarding or risk losing their sanity completely.

Buy from Amazon UK by clicking here (Opens in a new window)

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 29-10-18
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Competition: Win Xtro on Bluray

Xtro is out on Bluray on October 22nd.
And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away.

Synopsis

Three years ago young Tony watched with horror as his father was taken into the night sky by a mysterious blinding light and never seen again. Until now. His father is coming home but he's not the man he used to be!

A 'must-see' cult rental of the 80s, Xtro is one of the most outrageously bizarre, gory and insanely enjoyable horror films of its time complete with infamous 'alien birth' scene. 'Not all extra terrestrials are friendly'!

SPECIAL FEATURES:
New restoration featuring option of alternate endings plus the original UK video version edit
New director restoration
‘Xploring Xtro’ - a new 57 minute documentary featuring interviews with Harry Bromley-Davenport, Mark Forstater, Bernice Stegers, Susie Silvey, ‘Tik’ – Tim Dry, ‘Tok’ – Sean Crawford, Robert Pereno, Alan Jones and Craig Lapper
‘The World of Xtro’ - a new featurette with Dennis Atherton, Harry Bromley-Davenport and Mark Forstater
‘Beyond Xtro’ – a new featurette with Harry Bromley-Davenport and Mark Forstater looking ahead to new reboot ‘Xtro – The Big One’, including excusive test footage
‘Xtro Xposed’
‘Loving The Alien: A Tribute to Philip Sayer’ featuring exclusive Brian May music tribute
Reversible sleeve with 2 original artwork options
English subtitles for the hearing impaired

Buy from Amazon UK by clicking here (Opens in a new window)

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 29-10-18
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Competition: Win The Amityville Horror on Blu-ray

The Amityville Horror is out on Bluray on October 15th.
And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away.

Synopsis

Based on terrifying true events, The Amityville Horror tells the story of George and Kathy Lutz who believe they have found the perfect family home on the coast of Long Island. But the house has a shocking history and within its walls a demonic presence lies in wait that will turn the Lutz’s lives into a living nightmare. Their only hope is to get out before it’s too late!

SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
‘Brolin Thunder’ – A New Interview with Actor James Brolin
‘Child’s Play’ – A New Interview with Actor Meeno Peluce
‘Amityville Scribe’ – A New Interview with Screenwriter Sandor Stern
‘The Devil in The Music’ – A New Interview with Composer Lalo Schifrin
‘My Amityville Horror’ – Feature-Length Documentary with Daniel Lutz
‘For God’s Sake Get Out’ – Archive Interviews with James Brolin and Margot Kidder
Intro by Dr Hans Holzer, PhD. in Parapsychology (Author of ‘Murder in Amityville’)
Audio Commentary by Dr Hans Holzer
Original Trailer, TV Spot, Radio Spots
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Uncompressed Stereo Audio Options
New Optional English Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired

Buy from Amazon UK by clicking here (Opens in a new window)

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 22-10-18
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Arrow Video FrightFest announces line-up for Halloween 2018 event

 

Arrow Video FrightFest unleashes an intoxicating six-pack of horror, sci-fi and fantasy for their popular Halloween all-day event, now at the Cineworld Leicester Square on Saturday 3 November. The 12-hour monstrous marathon embraces four continents and includes two world premieres and four UK premieres

 

The day kicks off with Julian Richards' latest chiller REBORN, a Carrie for the Z Generation, starring the First Lady of FrightFest, Barbara Crampton, and featuring a stunning performance from rising newcomer Kayleigh Gilbert. Richards, famous for The Last Horror Movie, is with us for this World Premiere screening.

 

Next up is the UK premiere of PARALLEL, director Isaac Ezban's first English language horror fantasy after The Incident and The Similars. Be prepared for an ingenious killer alternate-universe concept, pitch-black thrills and a top-notch cast including Brit-star Georgia King.

 

You'll definitely keep your eyes wide open for the UK premiere of MARA, Clive Tonge's intensely tormenting psychological thriller about Sleep Paralysis, This demonic jolter stars the dazzling Olga Kurylenko, with sterling support from Craig Conway. Olga is planning to attend.

 

Technology has no boundaries in our next presentation - the world premiere of Paul Hyett's sinister and unsettling PERIPHERAL. Hyett's latest sci-fi horror fantasy boasts an astonishing performance from Hannah Arterton and both Hannah and Paul will be present, alongside co-star Elliot James Langridge.

 

This is followed by the UK Premiere of Swedish blockbuster THE UNTHINKABLE, a nail-biting disaster epic reminiscent of The Mist and the Cloverfield franchise, with jaw-dropping action sequences, a gripping plot and punchy performances that will leave you breathless.

 

Last but definitely not least, is the UK premiere of The Onetti Brothers' ABRAKADABRA, the final instalment of their fantastic giallo trilogy after Sonno Profondo and Francesca. This is definitely their wackiest, wildest and most twisted thriller yet, complete with film stock grain, a trippy Suspiria colour scheme and black-gloved maniacs!

 

Plus, we'll be showing two fantastic shorts, the London premiere of comedy horror DEEP CLEAN, starring Paul Kaye, and the world premiere of Zombie romance THE PREDICAMENT, And of course there will be intros, Q & A's, give-aways and a few special surprises…

 

Alan Jones, FrightFest co-director, said today: "After a hugely successful Arrow Video FrightFest at the Cineworld Empire Leicester Square this August, we are thrilled to be returning to such an auspicious venue for our annual sort-of-Halloween, all-screaming, all-entrancing Shriek Saturday. Team FrightFest searched long and hard for the most trenchant, traumatizing and trend-setting movies, which we hope you'll remember for a long time to come".

 

Day passes (£45) and single tickets (£15) go on sale at noon on Saturday 6th October. 

To book: http://www.frightfest.co.uk/tickets.html

(Online booking only)

Competition: Win The Hatred on DVD

The Hatred is out on DVD on October 8th.
And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away.

Synopsis

Reagan and three of her closest friends travel to her former professor and mentor's recently purchased country estate for a weekend of fun, house sitting, and watching the professor's young daughter, Irene. Unbeknownst to everyone, the house and grounds hold a dark secret and evil deeds perpetrated and buried within by its former malevolent owner, a former Nazi officer in hiding, who menacingly forbade anyone from entering his property.

Their arrival, the first since these secret acts of horror occurred, unleashes a night of terror and a fight for survival none of them could have ever imagined.

Stars: Sarah Davenport, Andrew Divoff, Darby Walker

Buy from Amazon UK by clicking here (Opens in a new window)

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 15-10-18
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.