By Roger Costa
BLOOD PARADISE
A writer interrupts her sex-filled vacation with her boyfriend in order to seek inspiration for the sequel of her best-selling horror book that inspired and disgusted many readers. She goes back to the essentials, to the place where she wrote the first piece, and is haunted by its locals and their creepy habits- which includes a devotional cult to herself. Explosively erotic, director Patrick von Barkenberg’s feature debut is an exciting and claustrophobic Gothic fun ride. (Screens 8/18.)
THE TRACE WE LEAVE BEHIND
In this atmospheric, grizzly thriller, a former doctor who now works to relocate patients out of damaged hospitals, becomes obsessed with a missing girl he crosses path with while visiting old colleagues. Using Brazil’s failed health system and social crisis as the main conductor, Pernambuco-born first-time director J.C. Feyer’s crafts a mind-bending, intriguingly sharp puzzle that sets the chills on high with loads of twists and convincingly tragic performances led by Rafael Cardoso and Leandra Leal. (Screens 8/21.)
THE INHABITANT
One of the boldest takes ever on the possession genre, accomplished director Guillermo Amoedo (born in Uruguay, works in Chile) provides an intense and extremely disturbing depiction on the dark subject. Three sisters are caught up with evil forces when they break-into a family home and make them hostages. Soon they will be aware of the daughter’s demonic condition and (unexpectedly) decides to help in the exorcism process. Nominated for the Best Film Award at Catalonian International Film Festival it’s a feast for fans of the gore. (Screens 8/20.)
TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID
Blending social commentary, fantastical horror and children’s dark fable, Mexican writer-director Issa López’s multiple Award-winning captivating film follows a group of children involved with a violent gang of criminals and mysterious figures from beyond, including the missing mother of one of them. Trying to make sense of all the strange encounters, the kids’s adventures paint a magical canvas of the ability of one’s imagination and expectations. (Screens 8/21.)
Comments