Too much to read? Here is the assessment of our media partner Deep Red Radio. Listen!
Since last year, we have also had a domestic film in our programme in addition to our international line-up. It should be a film that stands for the positive genre development in the genre-developing country of Germany. And: Holy cow! Michael Venus' film SCHLAF definitely stands for that. Besides Sandra "Erdmann's daughter" Hüller, Gro Swantje Kohlhof shines as Mona, who, accompanied by clever film quotes, trudges darkly and grimly into the small town. Venus Film takes no notice of past or present and unfolds its full force as a genre film by playing with different levels of reality. A clever film and indeed the best German genre film this year.
Our festival is classified as a splatter festival, not least because of its name. At the same time, HARD:LINE sometimes describes the invisible limit of what is possible in the genre, which in the end clearly lies somewhere else for everyone. Nevertheless, this border can of course also run along the splatter aesthetic. It is therefore simply part of having a classic midnighter in the programme. This attribution should undoubtedly apply to FOR THE SAKE OF VICIOUS. For Gabriel Carrer and Reese Evenesh's first directorial collaboration is a home invasion thriller at its most brute and unusual. A bitterly vicious and pumping sound driven bastard of a film whose name says it all. If you like it raw, violent and blood-red, then this stylish creep is exactly what will satisfy your cravings.
Outstanding cinematic guessing games have a long tradition with us and are rewarded by the audience. Such films really hit the spot when they also function as entertainment films. THE OAK ROOM is unimpressive if you read the description superficially. But - my God - is this film a force! Cody Calahan's film is written, acted and directed with such finesse that it goes to your head like the last whiskey at the bar before heading home. Calahan's film is a massive blizzard of a thriller and absolute must-see material for anyone and everyone for whom genre cinema is not mindless. THE OAK ROOM is one of the highlights of this year!
And we are already at the end with our second announcement. Confirmations for films are still coming in and we are currently at 11 feature-length films and 16 short films. Or in other words: Friends, there's still something to come!
