Toronto After Dark 2008 Announces First 8 Films

Posted by dominie in Events, Films on September 4th, 2008

With only 43 days to go, the 2008 Toronto After Dark Film Festival’s official site has released their festival preview trailer and its first wave of film titles to be premiered during its festivities on October 17-24.  The complete lineup and schedule will be available on September 24th.  For now, we can look forward to these eight outstanding feature films:

REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA
“An audacious cinematic experience” - Fangoria
Darren Bousman, USA, Toronto Premiere
Beware the deadly repo man in the most highly anticipated cult film of the year, blending gothic horror, futuristic sci-fi, and rock opera! Starring genre icons Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Bill Mosely (Devil’s Rejects), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids) and Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas).
Winner, Most Groundbreaking Film - Fantasia Film Festival.

RED
“What makes this movie worth seeing is the acting, which is superb throughout.” - New York Post
Trygve Diesen & Lucky McKee, USA, Toronto Premiere
Brian Cox (Bourne Supremacy) delivers a standout performance as a wronged man out for revenge in this thriller based on the celebrated Jack Ketchum novel. Co-starring cult icons Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm St.), Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction), Richard Riehle (Office Space) and Tom Sizemore (Heat).
Official Selection - Sundance Film Festival 2008.

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
“Remarkably moving…immediately takes its place among the classics of the vampire genre.” - Fangoria
Tomas Alfredson, Sweden, Toronto Premiere
Oscar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire feasting on his neighbours. Based on the Best Selling Book from Sweden, this multiple award-winning film is a unique blend of drama, suspense, vampirism, and a love story, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of a snow-filled winter.
Winner, Best Picture - Tribeca Film Festival.

IDIOTS & ANGELS
“A darkly humorous approach to the classic struggle between good and evil” - Time Out
Bill Plympton, USA, Toronto Premiere
In this twisted animated fairy tale, with a David Lynchian flavour, a morally despicable man discovers angel wings growing out of his back. After our anti-hero uses his new found power of flight for dastardly deeds the wings seem to develop a life of their own. Affecting every aspect of his daily life, a dark, disturbing and frequently hilarious war between man and wings ensues.  From the warped mind of celebrated animator and Double Oscar Nominee Bill Plympton, featuring a soundtrack by Tom Waits.
Winner, Best Animation - Fantasia Film Festival.

TOKYO GORE POLICE
“Over-the-top action, insane visual effects…the film throws everything at the screen” - Twitch
Yoshihiro Nishimura, Japan, Toronto Premiere
Samurai sword-wielding cops patrol the streets of a futuristic Tokyo facing an onslaught of bizarrely deformed mutants, in this ultra-violent sci-fi horror film that has drawn favourable comparisons to Paul Verhoeven’s Robocop.  From the producers who brought you the cult smash hit The Machine Girl. Co-starring Japanese cult icon Tak Sakaguchi (Versus, Death Trance, Shinobi).
Winner, Best Asian Film – Fantasia Film Festival

MIRAGEMAN
“One of my favourite Superhero movies of all time…with full speed, full contact action” - Harry Knowles, Ain’t It Cool News
Ernesto Espinoza, Chile, Toronto Premiere
A nightclub security guard maintains a secret life as an everyday superhero in this action-packed crowd-pleaser featuring breathtaking stuntwork shot in a uniquely realistic style. Starring Chilean Martial Arts superstar Mark Zaror, also known as The Rock’s stunt double in The Rundown.
Winner, Audience Award, Best Film - Austin Fantastic Fest.

TRAILER PARK OF TERROR
“Destined to acquire cult classic status amongst horror fans” - Horror-Movies.Ca
Steven Goldmann, USA, Toronto Premiere
In this wickedly fun undead riff on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, six high school students and their teacher find themselves facing the ultimate nightmare when their bus breaks down near an abandoned trailer park.  Little do they know they’ve disturbed a group of reanimated corpses who come out for their blood. Based on the acclaimed Imperium Comics Series, Trailer Park of Terror, features some of the most original and outlandish kills ever set to screen with eye-popping special makeup effects by Academy Award Winning Drac Studios (Bram Stoker’ Dracula).
Official Selection - Slamdance Film Festival.

WHO IS KK DOWNEY?
“A cult, quirky breakout…absolutely hysterical” - Variety
Darren Curtis and Pat Kiely, Canada, Toronto Premiere
In this multiple festival award-winning new indie comedy in the spirit of cult classics like Rushmore, Withnail and I and Spinal Tap, bickering failed musicians Theo and Terrence try to win fame and fortune by pulling the biggest con of their lives. They publish a biography about KK Downey, a bizarre cult figure with an amazing life-story, but who doesn’t actually exist. When their book, entitled Truck Stop Hustler, becomes a surprise best-seller, the duo find themselves having to impersonate the drug-addled KK at numerous VIP functions with dark and hilarious consequences.
Winner, Best Picture – Boston Underground Film Festival