October. The one month of the year where it is impossible to avoid being scared. In fact, it is the one month of the twelve where the majority of people are looking for a fright. Bangers can be heard every night as soon as the street lamps illuminate, Hocus Pocus is given its annual run on national television and Facebook is taken over with copious status’ stating costume ideas and All Hallow’s Eve plans.
OK, everyone wants to have plans for Halloween night. But what about the dark, cold and dreary days of October where you are stuck at home wanting to do anything but the assignments that are sneakily piling themselves up around you? What about the shadowy evenings where you fancy something a little different than a few drinks down your local? This is where the Irish Film Institute shows its under-appreciated face.
The IFI is Ireland’s national cultural institution for film. According to their official website at www.ifi.ie, the institute prides itself on broadcasting the finest in “independent, Irish and international cinema”. Its aim is to “preserve and promote Ireland’s moving image heritage” while entertaining all generations of film enthusiasts.
From the 25th through to the 29th of this month the IFI is running their annual Horrorthon event. The 5-day festival has promised to bring fans of the scary movie genre back to basics with its intention being “to focus on horror in all of its artistic forms”.
Among 2012’s Horrorthon highlights are a premiere of the new The Shining documentary, Room 237 and a showing of Irish horror Citadel. IFI Director, Ross Keane has called this year’s Horrorthon “one of the best ever,” with “more premieres than ever before” being packed into the spook-fest.
Danielle Harris, who is credited with being one of the most popular actresses in horror, having major roles in famous spook series’ like Halloweenand Hatchet on her acting CV, will be also be appearing as Guest of Honour at the event. She will be on hand to introduce her horror acting debutHalloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers as well as 2011’s spine-tingling thriller, Shiver. Perhaps most impressively though, Harris will be presenting her directorial debut, Among Friends and is set to take part in a post-screening Q&A session alongside a number of her cast and crew.
If you enjoy watching the apprehensive chilling telephone calls where no one is at the other end of the line or get satisfaction from that ‘jump’ moment when someone looks in a bathroom mirror late at night get yourself down to Temple Bar’s Irish Film Institute this Halloween season.
Tickets for the IFI’s Horrorthon start at €9 for one screening and finish at €125 for a full festival pass. This premium pass gains the holder access to all of the events set to occur over the 5-day period. Tickets must be booked in person at the Eustace Street venue or by calling up the IFI Box Office.
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