In celebration of its 29th year, the Fantasia International Film Festival returns to run from July 16th to August 3rd. There are a great amount of fascinating features to watch at this festival, but where to start? As a preview, here are my choices for 8 films worth seeing at this year's festival.
All You Need is Kill (North-American Premiere)
Based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka's landmark novel, this anime adaptation follows human volunteers fighting invasive extraterrestrials in advanced-tech gear. A sullen loner finds her usual day upended when her life is instantly snuffed out by murderous monsters, only to suddenly awaken at the beginning of that same day. If the story sounds familiar, that's because it has already been adapted into 2014's Tom Cruise/Emily Blunt starrer, Edge of Tomorrow. While that film is a tremendous work, to see its premise brought alive with the limitless potential of animation is too enticing to miss.
Fucktoys (Canadian Premiere)
If you thought that title grabbed your attention, wait until you see what the film's about. A sex worker living in "Trashtown" discovers that she has been cursed, and aims to survive by raising $1000 to pay a medium that may be able to life the curse. This subversive debut from Annapurna Sriram offers camp, grime, and "bad taste" while never losing touch with its humanity.
I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn (World Premiere)
A very descriptive title of the film, but that's not all there is to it. A Japanese film star, whose love for filmmaking has diminished, finds herself stranded in New York City. She soon meets a passionate indie filmmaker, which takes her on a journey to reinvigorate her love for cinema. For anybody interested in independent cinema, the latest film from Ken'ichi Ugana (director of the terrific Visitors) is a must-see.
Lurker (Canadian Premiere)
Alex Russell has made himself known writing for excellent shows such as The Bear and Beef, and Fantasia is showcasing his feature debut. The story follows a retail clerk who inserts himself into a rising pop-star's inner circle, and finds himself ready to do whatever possible to keep hold of that access. If you have seen the magnificently crafted tension on the aforementioned TV shows, then this discomforting thriller is a must-see.
Mother of Flies (World Premiere)
Anytime Fantasia hosts a World Premiere of a feature by The Adams Family, it is an event worth celebrating. The talented filmmaking family return with a work of personal genre storytelling, as a young woman diagnosed with cancer turns to necromancy for healing. But it soon becomes clear that toying with dark magic comes with costs. Get ready for a dark time.
Redux Redux (Canadian Premiere)
Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but what about repeatedly being served across parallel dimensions? A mother travels through the multiverse to repeatedly take revenge on her daughter's murderer, although the act becomes addictive and threatens to destroy her humanity. After making The Block Island Sound, writers/directors Kevin and Matthew McManus return with their feature follow-up that threatens to break your heart amidst its bursts of action.
The Serpent's Skin (Canadian Premiere)
An underground filmmaker on the rise, Fantasia alumnus Alice Maio Mackay returns with the latest work in her prolific career. This supernatural romance follows two women who form a romantic bond, only to discover that their insecurities have unwittingly unleashed a demon that feeds upon their friends. Mackay has built a career out of blending genre thrills with relevant themes about gender identity, and her latest work offers a more serious tone while keeping the same gonzo sensibilities.
Touch Me (Canadian Premiere)
After delivering 2022's exceptional Hypochondriac, writer/director Addison Heinmann returns with an even stranger, technicoloured work. This feature follows two codependent friends who are forced back into the grasp of a jumpsuit-wearing alien ex whose addictive touch offers a euphoric feeling. Come for the curious love-triangle, stay for the tentacles.
Fantasia 2025 runs from July 16th to August 3rd
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