Fantastic Film Festival 2022 highlights the best alternative films

The Fantastic Film Festival has arrived in Sydney and will unleash a program of 24 unconventional, bizarre and cult style arthouse feature films from 11 countries around the world, including Canada, Denmark, Japan, the UK, South Africa and Greece.

“We’re extremely excited to present this year’s program. FFFA offers a journey beyond the map of convention and the film’s we’ve curated this year come from filmmakers at the cutting-edge of international storytelling,” enthused FFFA Artistic Director Hudson Sowada.

Be the first in Australia to watch opening night feature The Northman (USA), one of the most anticipated films of the year starring our very own Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard, Ethan Hawke and William Dafoe. It’s an action-packed Viking themed epic that will screen at midnight.

“We’re proud to launch the Cinema 1 Nightclub, a unique blend of live music, visual art and cinema, featuring DJ Female Wizard. You can also expect to find nude screenings, in-cinema DJ performances, Dungeons and Dragons, Q&As and exceptional short form work.”

For audiences who’d like to experience a perverse film described as ‘the most disgusting film ever made‘ Assholes (USA) will not disappoint. A rom-com about two lovers who share an anal fetish, addiction to amyl, and a demon spawn. Controversial and obscene this is not for recommended for the more sensitive movie-goers.

Fans of the supernatural should enjoy Good Madam (South Africa), an eerily twisted bone-chilling horror satire and one of the best haunted house flicks ever produced. For horrifying and uncomfortable viewing The Innocents (Denmark) is mandatory viewing. The story surrounds a group of children who mysteriously gain and abuse their supernatural powers. You’ll never look at a 12-year-old the same after sitting through this highly crafted horror flick!

HOT PICKS

ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME (UK): Thirtysomething Pete has distanced himself from his friends since working overseas. He’s excited about a reunion, but will it be as enjoyable as he anticipates? A dark comedy that edges on psycho-horror.

POSSESSION (Germany): Classified as one of the most disturbing films ever produced about a marriage breakdown, this film contains horror and thriller elements. This film was heavily cut when released in 1981 and banned in the UK for two decades. The restored version will bewilder audiences.

THE TIMEKEEPER OF ETERNITY (Greece): A group of strangers awaken on a flight to the realization that all the passengers and crew have disappeared. But the gravity of these strange occurrences accelerates once the plane has landed. Based on the Stephen King novella The Langoliers.

Apr 21-May 6. The Ritz Cinema, 45 St Pauls St, Randwick. $17-$21+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au