At The Movies: Must See Films at This Year’s Fantasia Film Festival

*Reader discretion is advised for the films mentioned in this article* 

The Fantasia Film Festival is back at Concordia University’s Hall Building and surrounding area for the 28th edition, which runs from July 18th - August 4th. The premier genre film festival gives the excuse to beat the heat and grab a seat for a film that will surely entertain. Before we get to our top film picks curated by us, Remi and Danny of At The Movies, here are some things to look forward to at this year's edition.

Opening the festival (July 18th 18H30 SGW Hall Building) Bookworm from director Ant Timpson, sees a washed-up illusionist (Elijah Wood) and his estranged daughter (Nell Fisher) venture into the New Zealand wilderness in search of the mythical black panther. Closing the festival (August 4th 18H30 SGW Hall Building), Ababouiné from director André Forcier, set in Quebec in the 1950s starring Rémy Girard. In the film set when the Catholic Church ruled, the clergy are confronted by the people they mean to oppress. However what I am looking forward to the most would be the recipient of the prestigious Cheval Noir Award that highlights a lifetime commitment to the world of genre cinema being presented to Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Hush, Doctor Sleep and numerous Netflix Anthology shows). Join Mike Flanagan in conversation at Artist Talk (Sunday July 21st Cinema Du Musée) moderated by author and critic Michael Gingold. Alright, with the basics out of the way let’s get to our picks. 

Remi (Host of At The Movies)

Every year at Fantasia the first section of films that I can’t wait to see is the lineup from the Documentaries From The Edge category. As the editions progress, I feel that there is less love for this category, only three choices this year, and I want Fantasia programmers to note that this category needs a revamp and needs more films. It is both beloved by me and the Fantasia audience members I speak with. Of the three selections this year, the one that interests me the most is From My Cold Dead Hands (Saturday July 27th 15H00 Salle J.A. De Sève//Sunday August 4th 21H20 Salle J.A. De Sève). From director Javier Horcajada, the film explores the unhealthy fascination of gun culture in the United States compiled from thousands of hours of YouTube footage.

The other films also up for the prestigious Cheval Noir award at this year’s festival see a good variety of national and international films. My second pick is an international film from Guatemala called Rita (Thursday July 25th 18H50 SGWU Hall Building) from director Jay Bustamante. Fleeing an abusive household, Rita (Giuliana Santa Cruz) finds herself incarcerated at an all-girls protective custody facility. There is a prophecy of the warrior angel that will free them all, and when Rita is given a pair of wings of her own she questions if she will be the one to fulfill the prophecy. Following up with his success with La Llorona, director Jay Bustamante plunges his audience into a world with notes of mythical fantasies with themes of childhood innocence under the dark undertones of reality reminiscent of the early works of director Guillermo Del Toro. 

My next pick is a recommendation from a friend who donated to the GoFundMe, which exceeded its original goal making it a successful funding campaign, and it makes its premiere at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival Shelby Oaks (Saturday July 20th 2024 21H45 SGW Hall) from director Chris Stuckman. When Riley Bennet (Sarah Durn) disappears, her fans of the popular YouTube Series ‘Paranormal Paranoids’ wonder who took her and her three co-hosts in 2008 near the deserted town of Shelby Oaks, Ohio. Through all the conspiracy theories, Mia (Camille Sullivan), Shelby’s sister, is determined to get to the truth by telling Shelby’s story to a documentary film crew. However closer may come at a price of confronting the road of her ghost-hunting sister, Mia and the documentary crew must face the dark demons that lurk in the woods of Shelby Oaks. Being hailed as a creepy supernatural shocker, this film delivers in all departments as a character-oriented horror film with strong performances making this a well-crafted debut feature from a veteran YouTube creator that will set Chris Stuckman on the horror genre map. Also, it can’t hurt to have Mike Flanagan as an executive producer on your debut project. 

My final pick will be coming to theatres later in August but will be screening at Fantasia before its theatrical release window. Cuckoo (Tuesday July 30th 21H30 SGWU Hall) from director Tilman Singer sees Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) moved to the German Alps with her father and his new wife who reside at a local hotel resort working for Herr König (Dan Stevens). Mr. König gives Gretchen a desk job at the hotel, however there is something sinister happening around the hotel as Gretchen soon discovers after a random attack by a screaming woman late at night. Things are about to get more bazaar and dangerous in this body-horror genre film. Even though my colleague at work says that the trailer is too long, I very much appreciated the viewing, as it gave me a sense it will be a psychological thriller that works on par with the aesthetics of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Maybe it’s the committed performances alone from both Schafer and Stevens that seal the deal to make this my final pick. 

As always, wishing you Bon Cinema from the At The Movies Team. 

Danny Auberys Picks (Co-Host At The Movies) 

Hey, guess what everybody? It's that time of the year again. No, I am not referring to Christmas, however, I am referring to something which is almost as, or just as exciting. The Fantasia Film Festival can be Christmas in July for the genre cinephiles. Remi and I once again could not resist the chance to partake in this spectacular event. We recently met up downtown to take care of our accreditation for the occasion. And now that we’re all set and done, I will gladly commence my work in regards to Fantasia with a list of the top five films which I am most excited to see. As I name the films of my choosing, I will also provide a synopsis for each film, and then conclude with the reasons why I am excited to see these ones, hoping that I may be successful in convincing you to check these films out for yourselves.

1.Bookworm (Thursday July 18th 18H30 SGWU Hall)- Genre: Comedy, Family, Adventure. New Zealand. Directed by Ant Timpson.

The film focuses on an 11-year-old girl named Mildred who is wise beyond her years and lacks patience for ignorance. Despite living in New Zealand, she is oftentimes bored with her life and reads books as a mechanism to cope with her boredom. Her life takes a very interesting turn when she goes on a camping trip with her estranged father. Once they go camping, they embark on an adventure to search for a mythical beast.

2. The Chapel (Tuesday July 23rd 21H20 SGWU Hall)- Genre: Drama, Fantasy. Spain. Directed by Carlota Pereda.

The film focuses on Carol Peralta, who despite her disbelief in the supernatural, decides to become a medium in order to make ends meet. Her mother who is responsible for her disbelief in the supernatural, dies around the same time that a festival involving opening a sealed chapel said to be haunted by a young girl takes place. Carol later meets Emma, a little girl who not only believes in the afterlife, but also believes that she can save the souls that dwell within the chapel.

3. The Avenging Eagle (Sunday July 21st 12H00 Salle J.A. De Sève) - Genre: Classique, Action, Martial Arts. Hong Kong. Directed by Sun Chung.

The film focuses on an individual named Black Eagle. Black Eagle was once a member of a killer group known as the Iron Boat Clan, however, a change of conscience leads him to flee from this group. As he flees, he drifts off to the desert where he meets an individual with a vast knowledge of Martial Arts. Together they decide to team up against the Iron Boat Clan.

4. Out of the Shadow (Saturday July 27th 17H05 Salle J.A. De Sève//Tuesday July 30th 12H30 Salle J.A. De Sève) - Genre: Drama, Comedy, Action, Martial Arts. Hong Kong. Directed by Ricky Ko.

The film focuses on Chu Po, a young woman who becomes a masked vigilante to fight the injustices occurring in her town of Shek O. Things become quite interesting when she finds out that a church involved in drug dealing activities is linked to her family's past.

5. The Count of Monte Cristo (Friday July 19th 20H00 SGWU Hall)- Genre: Thriller, Action. France. Directed by Alexandre De la Patelliere, and Matthieu Delaporte.

The film takes place in Marseille France in 1815 and focuses on Edmond Dantes. Dantes's promotion to captain and his engagement to be wed lead jealous rivals to lock him up in the dungeon of Chateau d'if for 14 years. Throughout his duration in prison, he is educated by an individual named Abbe Faria who helps him increase his knowledge in languages, sciences, and weaponry. This is all done in order to prepare him to seek revenge on those who wronged him.

I am excited to catch all of these films for different reasons. For the film Bookworm, I feel that Mildred is in many respects a relatable character, and of course, I am in the mood for adventure as well. The Chapel is a reflection of my fascination with the supernatural and the afterlife. My interest in Martial Arts drew me to The Avenging Eagle and Out of the Shadow. For The Avenging Eagle, I like the idea of a bad guy who seeks redemption, and for Out of the Shadow, I like the idea of a vigilante hero. The Count of Monte Cristo is a film that I am excited to see because I've always been fascinated with its story, the acting looked remarkable within the trailer, and although I would never exact revenge, I do confess that I like a good revenge film. I can't wait to catch these films, and I look forward to seeing some of you guys at the festival. Bon Cinema!  

Remi is the host alongside regular co-host Danny of At The Movies heard every Tuesday Morning from 8-9 AM only on CJLO 1690 AM. When they are not on air they are normally covering the latest film festivals happening in Montreal.