Left to right: Cuckoo, Immaculate, Azrael, Birdeater (all images courtesy SXSW)Graphic: The A.V. Club
The film festival portion of South by Southwest is always packed with stars, bringing their would-be blockbusters out to Austin, Texas, for splashy premieres. But it’s also a festival that’s never lost sight of the power of genre.
The film festival portion of South by Southwest is always packed with stars, bringing their would-be blockbusters out to Austin, Texas, for splashy premieres. But it’s also a festival that’s never lost sight of the power of genre.
- 3/19/2024
- by Matthew Jackson
- avclub.com
Jack Clark and Jim Weir’s Birdeater is an intriguing entry into the Australian horror scene, attempting to weave a tapestry of psychological tension amidst the backdrop of a bachelor party gone terribly wrong. The premise is straight forward—a cocktail of bad decisions, simmering tensions, and an echo chamber of toxic masculinity, making for an unsettling slow-burn thriller that promises to leave its audience teetering on the edge of their seats. However, while the concept is ripe with potential, the execution leaves something to be desired.
The film introduces us to Louie (Mackenzie Fearnley), his fiancée Irene (Shabana Azeez), and a motley crew of friends and frenemies, including the unpredictable Dylan (Ben Hunter), the laid-back Murph (Alfie Gledhill), and the enigmatic Sam (Harley Wilson), an old flame of Irene’s with a complicated history within the group. The dynamic is ripe for drama, and the film teases the unraveling...
The film introduces us to Louie (Mackenzie Fearnley), his fiancée Irene (Shabana Azeez), and a motley crew of friends and frenemies, including the unpredictable Dylan (Ben Hunter), the laid-back Murph (Alfie Gledhill), and the enigmatic Sam (Harley Wilson), an old flame of Irene’s with a complicated history within the group. The dynamic is ripe for drama, and the film teases the unraveling...
- 3/10/2024
- by Jonathan Dehaan
A blurred image of a Wake in Fright poster in an early shot in Birdeater cuts right to the heart of directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir’s feature debut, a hat tip to the style and tone of madness ahead. Like Ted Kotcheff’s 1971 classic thriller, Birdeater utilizes horror and thriller mechanics and tropes to deconstruct Australia’s masculine identity, one at odds with today’s sociopolitical landscape, through a contemporary lens. While it doesn’t push the genre elements far enough, its heady themes, sustained dread, and distinct visual language culminate in a tense psychodrama that poses compelling questions.
The signs that something’s deeply amiss in the relationship between engaged couple Irene (Shabana Azeez) and Louie (Mackenzie Fearnley) come fast and furious from the outset. Codependency issues and controlling behavior bubble just beneath the surface of their seemingly idyllic romance. Before filmmakers Clark, who wrote the script,...
The signs that something’s deeply amiss in the relationship between engaged couple Irene (Shabana Azeez) and Louie (Mackenzie Fearnley) come fast and furious from the outset. Codependency issues and controlling behavior bubble just beneath the surface of their seemingly idyllic romance. Before filmmakers Clark, who wrote the script,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Universal’s monster movie Abigail helmed by Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett has been set to world premiere as the closing night film of horror fest The Overlook Film Festival, which is taking place this year at the Prytania Theatres in New Orleans from April 4 – 7.
Slated for release on April 19, Abigail watches as a group of criminals retreats to an isolated mansion after kidnapping the ballerina daughter (Alisha Weir) of a powerful underworld figure, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl. Written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick, the film’s cast also includes Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Giancarlo Esposito, and the late Angus Cloud.
This year’s Overlook lineup includes 45 films — 22 features and 23 shorts — from 11 countries, as well as four live presentations and five immersive experiences. Set to open the fet, on the heels of its Berlin launch,...
Slated for release on April 19, Abigail watches as a group of criminals retreats to an isolated mansion after kidnapping the ballerina daughter (Alisha Weir) of a powerful underworld figure, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl. Written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick, the film’s cast also includes Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Giancarlo Esposito, and the late Angus Cloud.
This year’s Overlook lineup includes 45 films — 22 features and 23 shorts — from 11 countries, as well as four live presentations and five immersive experiences. Set to open the fet, on the heels of its Berlin launch,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Overlook Film Festival, billed as “the annual celebration of all things horror,” announced today the initial lineup for its 2024 edition.
Taking place April 4 through 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Prytania Theatres, the horror fest is ready to bring audiences back to “America’s most haunted city” with a selection of both new and classic films, including 2024 releases like Sundance smash hit “I Saw the TV Glow” from director Jane Schoenbrun, Tilman Singer’s opening night pick “Cuckoo,” closing night offering “Abigail” from the Radio Silence team, plus offscreen offerings including interactive events, live performances, immersive programming, special guests and much, much more.
“We are finally able to see the fruits of post-pandemic productions and it’s a sight to behold,” said Michael Lerman, co-founder and director of film programming of the Overlook Film Festival, in an officials statement. “This year’s lineup is full of bigger, scarier, more personal,...
Taking place April 4 through 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Prytania Theatres, the horror fest is ready to bring audiences back to “America’s most haunted city” with a selection of both new and classic films, including 2024 releases like Sundance smash hit “I Saw the TV Glow” from director Jane Schoenbrun, Tilman Singer’s opening night pick “Cuckoo,” closing night offering “Abigail” from the Radio Silence team, plus offscreen offerings including interactive events, live performances, immersive programming, special guests and much, much more.
“We are finally able to see the fruits of post-pandemic productions and it’s a sight to behold,” said Michael Lerman, co-founder and director of film programming of the Overlook Film Festival, in an officials statement. “This year’s lineup is full of bigger, scarier, more personal,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Watch the Trailer for Alice Maio Mackay's T-blockers: "In small-town Australia, a nightmare is brewing. Sophie is a young filmmaker obsessed with finding a thought-to-be long-lost film. Meanwhile, an earthquake unleashes ancient parasites in the area that thrive on hatred, causing outbursts of violence. Now Sophie and her friends, struggling with dating and their undesirable jobs, must also face off against an ancient evil that spreads like wildfire."
Starring: Lauren Last, Lewi Dawson, Joe Romeo, Chris Asimos, Joni Ayton-Kent, Stanley Browning, Lisa Fanto Director: Alice Maio Mackay Writers: Alice Maio Mackay, Benjamin Pahl Robinson Release Date: March 5, 2024 from Dark Star Pictures
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Birdeater: "A bride-to-be is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. But as the festivities spiral into beer-soaked chaos, uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed, and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare."
Directed by: Jack Clark,...
Starring: Lauren Last, Lewi Dawson, Joe Romeo, Chris Asimos, Joni Ayton-Kent, Stanley Browning, Lisa Fanto Director: Alice Maio Mackay Writers: Alice Maio Mackay, Benjamin Pahl Robinson Release Date: March 5, 2024 from Dark Star Pictures
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Birdeater: "A bride-to-be is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. But as the festivities spiral into beer-soaked chaos, uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed, and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare."
Directed by: Jack Clark,...
- 3/4/2024
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
"Should we really be doing that? Shouldn't you just stop now?" Blue Finch Films has revealed a fantastic festival teaser trailer for a new film titled Birdeater, an Australian indie horror flick marking the feature directorial debut of filmmakers Jack Clark & Jim Weir. It first premiered at the 2023 Sydney Film Festival last year and won the Audience Award for Australian Narrative Feature there. And it's playing at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival coming up this March. Birdeater is an unsettling horror thriller that "represents a visually striking and daring debut from this Australian duo." A bride-to-be is invited to her fiancé's bachelor party, but when uncomfortable details of their relationship are exposed, the night takes a feral turn. Vague yet compelling. The film stars Shabana Azeez, Mackenzie Fearnley, Ben Hunter, Jack Bannister, Clementine Anderson, Alfie Gledhill, Harley Wilson, and Caroline McQuade. Oh damn. Yeah this looks quite good, even from only 30 seconds of footage.
- 3/4/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
One of the horror movies on our radar for SXSW 2024 this month is the Australian film Birdeater, which has received an official teaser trailer ahead of the festival this week.
Birdeater, which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and earned the Audience Award for Australian Narrative Feature, is set to make its International Premiere at SXSW.
Directed by the filmmaking duo Jack Clark and Jim Weir, Birdeater is said to be a “horror thriller that represents a visually striking and daring debut from this Australian duo.”
“A bride-to-be is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. But as the festivities spiral into beer-soaked chaos, uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed, and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare.”
Shabana Azeez, Mackenzie Fearnley, Ben Hunter, Jack Bannister, Clementine Anderson, Alfie Gledhill, Harley Wilson, and Caroline McQuade star in Birdeater.
Jack Clark wrote the screenplay.
Birdeater, which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and earned the Audience Award for Australian Narrative Feature, is set to make its International Premiere at SXSW.
Directed by the filmmaking duo Jack Clark and Jim Weir, Birdeater is said to be a “horror thriller that represents a visually striking and daring debut from this Australian duo.”
“A bride-to-be is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. But as the festivities spiral into beer-soaked chaos, uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed, and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare.”
Shabana Azeez, Mackenzie Fearnley, Ben Hunter, Jack Bannister, Clementine Anderson, Alfie Gledhill, Harley Wilson, and Caroline McQuade star in Birdeater.
Jack Clark wrote the screenplay.
- 3/4/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The latest edition of the SXSW Film Festival kicks off later this week in Austin, Texas, unleashing an expansive slate of film programming an experiences- emphasis on expansive. For the horror fan, the fest offers so much more beyond the Midnighter programming section, and this SXSW 2024 preview guide should help.
The 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival’s Opening Night TV Premiere is the highly anticipated Netflix series 3 Body Problem created, executive produced and written by Emmy Award winners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and Emmy Award nominee Alexander Woo. The Midnighter category includes buzzy titles like Samara Weaving-starring Azrael and Sundance favorite It’s What’s Inside. The fest’s Headliner section comes packed with highly anticipated titles like Immaculate, Cuckoo, and Arcadian. But all of this only scratches the surface of titles to get excited about.
Whether you’re heading to Austin this week or keeping track...
The 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival’s Opening Night TV Premiere is the highly anticipated Netflix series 3 Body Problem created, executive produced and written by Emmy Award winners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and Emmy Award nominee Alexander Woo. The Midnighter category includes buzzy titles like Samara Weaving-starring Azrael and Sundance favorite It’s What’s Inside. The fest’s Headliner section comes packed with highly anticipated titles like Immaculate, Cuckoo, and Arcadian. But all of this only scratches the surface of titles to get excited about.
Whether you’re heading to Austin this week or keeping track...
- 3/4/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
U.K. sales and distribution outfit Blue Finch Films has boarded worldwide rights, excluding Australia and New Zealand, to thriller “Birdeater.”
The debut feature from filmmaking duo Jack Clark and Jim Weir follows a bride-to-be who is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. But as the festivities spiral into beer-soaked chaos, uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed, and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare.
Blue Finch describes the film as “an unapologetic look at how Australia’s iconic masculine identity has become incompatible with contemporary gender politics.” The film stars Shabana Azeez (“Run Rabbit Run”) and Mackenzie Fearnley (“Operation Buffalo”) as the soon-to-be-wedded couple. Written by Clark, the film is produced by Stephanie Troost and Ulysses Oliver of Breathless Films. The Australian and New Zealand rights are with Umbrella Entertainment.
The film screened at the Melbourne International...
The debut feature from filmmaking duo Jack Clark and Jim Weir follows a bride-to-be who is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. But as the festivities spiral into beer-soaked chaos, uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed, and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare.
Blue Finch describes the film as “an unapologetic look at how Australia’s iconic masculine identity has become incompatible with contemporary gender politics.” The film stars Shabana Azeez (“Run Rabbit Run”) and Mackenzie Fearnley (“Operation Buffalo”) as the soon-to-be-wedded couple. Written by Clark, the film is produced by Stephanie Troost and Ulysses Oliver of Breathless Films. The Australian and New Zealand rights are with Umbrella Entertainment.
The film screened at the Melbourne International...
- 1/11/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Humdrum Comedy’s Metro Sexual is set to be given a makeover, with filming on an expanded season to commence in Melbourne during June.
After premiering as an 8 x 10-minute series on 9Go! in 2019, and Canada’s OUTtv in 2020, the Lgbti sitcom will be broadened to comprise 6 x 30 minutes episodes for its second outing.
Shot in a mockumentary style, the series follows the lives of doctors Stephanie Huddleston (Geraldine Hickey) and Langdon Marsh (Riley Nottingham), who work at Metropolitan Sexual Health.
The upcoming storyline has the pair navigate an outbreak of sexually transmitted infections in Melbourne, forcing them to do whatever they can to get the crisis under control, while also juggling friendships, relationships with colleagues, and their love lives.
The cast also includes Ryan Shelton, Shabana Azeez, Urvi Majumdar, and Rebecca Massey, with more announcements soon.
Metro Sexual season 2 is a Humdrum Comedy and Nottingham Pictures production being jointly...
After premiering as an 8 x 10-minute series on 9Go! in 2019, and Canada’s OUTtv in 2020, the Lgbti sitcom will be broadened to comprise 6 x 30 minutes episodes for its second outing.
Shot in a mockumentary style, the series follows the lives of doctors Stephanie Huddleston (Geraldine Hickey) and Langdon Marsh (Riley Nottingham), who work at Metropolitan Sexual Health.
The upcoming storyline has the pair navigate an outbreak of sexually transmitted infections in Melbourne, forcing them to do whatever they can to get the crisis under control, while also juggling friendships, relationships with colleagues, and their love lives.
The cast also includes Ryan Shelton, Shabana Azeez, Urvi Majumdar, and Rebecca Massey, with more announcements soon.
Metro Sexual season 2 is a Humdrum Comedy and Nottingham Pictures production being jointly...
- 4/13/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
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