Montreal has no shortage of film festivals occupying its calendar, but the Fantasia International Film Festival occupies a privileged position in local festival-goers’ hearts. It’s also the city’s film event with the largest reach, boasting a number of World and International Premieres as well as Canadian debuts. 2014’s “Unfriended“—then called “Cybernatural“—is one such breakout, and its sequel, “Unfriended: Dark Web,” will be at this year’s edition alongside a masterclass by producer Timur Bekmambetov.
What makes Fantasia so special (besides the audience meowing when the light goes down, of course)? Even with online ticketing, diehards line up for hours in advance of the opening of the box office and leave with an endless ribbon of tickets. Those same crowds pack the theaters for the festival’s three-week duration, packing Concordia University’s Hall Auditorium night after night, each projection as enthusiastic as the last. It is this reception that brings out name filmmakers and on-screen talent. A prime example is Takashi Miike—one of the busiest filmmakers anywhere in the world—who has accompanied his films to the festival on more than one occasion. Rightly so, as Fantasia has screened over 30 of his films going as far back as 1997.
This year’s edition of Fantasia, running from now until to August 2nd, looks to be no slouch in the programming department. With a focus on Asian cinema and horror films, the selection nonetheless offers something for all tastes. Here are some of our key picks for the veritable cinematic juggernaut that is Fantasia.
“Under the Silver Lake”
Pushed back after its lukewarm premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, David Robert Mitchell’s “Under the Silver Lake” picked out a new release in December, leaving pundits scratching their heads over A24’s strategy for the daydream noir. In our Cannes review, Jessica Kiang was frustrated with the film’s lack of coherence, while conceding that ‘the film’s surface pleasures are such that he [Mitchell] might even succeed.’ A North American Premiere at Fantasia is a savvy berth for this labyrinthian flick in search of some audience goodwill. The Montreal festival’s crowds are nothing if not open to unconventional efforts, and Mitchell’s sun-baked ode to Thomas Pynchon and Robert Altman is certain to bring some Hollywood star power to the Canadian fest in the form of leads Andrew Garfield and Riley Keough.
“Mandy”
Already a breakout hit at Sundance and as a centerpiece selection of Cannes’ Director’s Fortnight sidebar, plenty of ink has been shed about “Mandy” including our rave. Serving as one of its closing night selections, Fantasia is also the final stop for “Mandy” before its theatrical release in August. Our own Russ Fischer praises “Mandy” as ‘a bizarre and bloody outing with a strong heart beneath the surface.’ Even setting aside its already-legendary performance by Nicholas Cage, the second feature by writer/director Panos Cosmatos (whose debut “Beyond the Black Rainbow” was programmed in 2011) is without a doubt quintessential Fantasia material. Find our Sundance review here.