If you’re a fan of horror or the macabre October is a great month. This October The Bram Stoker Festival returns, running Friday 24th through to Monday 27th October, featuring a film programme of Sinister Screenings with new and classic films.
A Dublin City Council initiative in association with Fáilte Ireland, the festival is inspired by the heritage of world famous Dublin horror novelist Bram Stoker and his notorious novel Dracula. From large-scale spectacle to intimate performances in unusual spaces and a whole range of film and literary events there is something to whet the appetites of all.
Sinister Screenings:
The Curse of Styria – Irish premiere
Inspired by Carmilla, the seminal 19th Century vampire tale by Sheridan LeFanu, The Curse of Styria plunges the viewer into a haunted world of fantasy and obsession. Lara (Eleanor Tomlinson) and her father, Dr. Hill (Stephen Rea), travel behind the iron curtain to a decrepit castle. From a car crash outside of the castle, emerges the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla (Julia Pietrucha). Friday, 24th October, 6pm, Screen Cinema, Townsend Street, Dublin 2.
Beautiful Noise – Irish premiere
“They didn’t sell a lot of records but everyone who heard them started a band.” This is the first-ever documentary about one of the most influential, underground music movements of the 20th century. This is the story of Cocteau Twins, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and My Bloody Valentine and how their groundbreaking music inspired generations of bands. With special appearances by music icons Wayne Coyne, Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan and Robert Smith. Sunday 26th October, 6pm, Screen Cinema, Townsend Street, Dublin 2.
The Lost Boys
“Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It’s fun to be a vampire.” Two brothers, Sam and Mike move to a new town and fall in with the wrong crowd. Mike meets a beautiful girl and begins to exhibit the classic signs of vampirism. Sam recruits two young vampire hunters to save his brother by finding and destroying the head vampire. Sunday, 26th October, 6pm, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.
The Cure: In Orange
Against the backdrop of the ancient Roman venue; Theatre Antique d’Orange, The Cure: In Orange captures The Cure’s performance in the French Countryside in 1986. This rarely shown concert film features 23 songs in a performance that is now of legendary status. Following a short theatrical run, The Cure: In Orange was released only on VHS and laser disc. This outdoor standing ‘concert’ is a must for any Cure fan. Sunday, 26th October, 8.30 pm, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Admission is free.
Orpheus– (Orpheé) – A film by Jean Cocteau (1950)
This magical retelling of the Orpheus myth turns the lyre-playing singer of Greek legend into a famous left-bank poet in postwar Paris. Fallen out of favour and lost for poetic inspiration, Orphee (Jean Marais) becomes obsessed with a mysterious black-clad princess (Maria Casarès) who first claims the life of a rival poet, and then Eurydice (Marie Déa), his wife. Sunday 27th October, 4pm, Brooks Hotel Private Cinema, Drury Lane, Dublin 2.
La Belle et la Bête – A film by Jean Cocteau (1946)
La Belle et la Bête is a landmark feat of cinematic fantasy in which master filmmaker Jean Cocteau conjures spectacular visions of enchantment, desire and death. The true love of a beautiful girl melts the heart of the gentle beast. With romantic performances by Jean Marais and Josette Day, La Belle et la Bête is a much loved and timeless classic. Monday, 27th October, 2pm, Brooks Hotel Private Cinema, Drury Lane, Dublin 2.
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari with live music by 3epkano
A huge commercial and critical success in its day, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is considered the first true horror film and one of the most influential films of the German Expressionist movement. It is also responsible for introducing the ‘twist ending’ in cinema. The film tells of showman, Dr Caligari slithers through the town murdering people until a young student becomes suspicious when his friend is found dead. As a series of disturbing events unfold, the townspeople discover a truth, hiding something even more sinister then they could ever have imagined.
Dublin based musicians, 3epkano, are dedicated to producing original soundtracks to silent, avant-garde, and contemporary cinema. Since 2004, the group have played numerous headline shows in both Ireland and the US to huge critical acclaim. 24th October, 8pm, Christ Church Cathedral Dublin. Tickets are now on sale and cost €15 per person plus €1.50 booking fee. Over 16’s only.
In addition IFI Horrorthon is back, with opening and closing night films €10.20. All other screenings €9.20. (IFI Membership is required for all films. If you are not an IFI Member then a Daily Membership fee of €1 will be added to each Horrorthon ticket price. Special Festival passes will be available.
The IFI’s annual gore-fest, IFI Horrorthon, runs from October 23rd to 27th with another bloody feast of features set to shock you to the core! With over 30 new releases showcasing the best of Irish and international films of the genre, including many Irish premières, a new Horrorthon Honours selection, special guests, and judiciously chosen classics, this year’s festival will be the most grizzly yet. A highlight of the IFI calendar! 23rd – 27th October, various times, Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2