From 15 to 24 September 2017, the European Fantastic Film Festival of Strasbourg returns for a 10th edition! This festival, dedicated to fantastic cinema in all its forms (horror, science fiction, thriller, animation, film noir…), has quickly established itself as an unmissable event. Launched in 2008 by the association of Films du Spectre, the FEFFS, not only guarantor of an eclectic programming of quality, is a real friendly event.
Each year personalities are invited to make the undead of the recently deceased George A pale with envy. Romero, himself guest of honor at the festival in 2011. We can note the successive presences of William Lustig, Joe Dante, Toby Hooper, Roger Corman, Mick Garris, Catherine Breillat, Lamberto Bava, Ruggero Deodato, and the list is still long.
Whatever the form, independent film, bigger budget film or documentary, the festival offers international productions often in need of distribution, a significant visibility.
The FEFFS 2016, whose guest of honor was none other than Dario Argento (no less!), participated in revealing a small nugget of its kind. Awarded the Audience Prize and the Golden Octopus, Grave, directed by Julie Ducournau, was subsequently widely acclaimed around the world by both the public and critics.
Last year, the public also had the privilege of discovering the amazing Swiss Army Man, by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, which did not have a theatrical release in France. The film features a petomane corpse, played by Daniel Radcliffe, who forms a friendship with Hank (Paul Dano), a wandering and suicidal young man.
The FEFFS is therefore the ideal opportunity to appreciate both productions by established directors and productions by emerging talents.
For its 10th edition, the festival will open with the American horror film It by Andy Muschietti, adaptation of the eponymous bestseller by Stephen King. The emblematic director of the New Hollywood, William Friedkin, known for having directed The Exorcist in 1973, will be the guest of honor.
Among the first films already announced, we can mention in the international competition The Moon of Jupiter by Hungarian director Kornel Mundruczo and Killing the Sacred Deer by Yorgos Lanthimos, both revealed at the last Cannes Film Festival, but also Kaleidoscope by Rupert Jones, Double Date by Benjamin Barefoot, or The Endless by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.
In the Crossover category, between thrillers and black comedies, were selected: Bitch by and with Marianna Palka, Super Dark Times by Kevin Phillips, Let the corpses tan, by Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, The Little Hours by Jeff Baena, and finally, Fashionista, psycho-thriller by British director Simon Rumley.
The public will also have the opportunity to find the outrage and excess characteristic of Midnight Movies.
The advantages of the 10th edition?
A retrospective entirely dedicated to SF (Ghost in the Shell and Welcome to Gattaca among others), the concept of drive-in brought up to date, the opportunity to participate in one of the largest Zombie Walk in Europe, retrogaming and arcade machines, the organization of Master Classes, conferences, exhibitions, workshops for children, not to mention the Fantastic Village and the Indie Game Contest (IGC).
The FEFFS does not have to worry about whether it satisfies the general public or the discerning film buff. By bringing together in the same commercial and independent cinema event, the festival demonstrates an intelligent and curious programming that can only be a successful bet! The FEFFS is a monster, a monster of generosity for lovers of the fantasy genre.
