Today begins one of the most popular and specialized film festivals in the fantasy genre. Yes, we are talking about the International Sitges Film Festival. In its 45th edition, the festival sets its eyes on the End of the World, one of the recurring themes of the genre of science fiction.
A festival as complete as prodigious, that despite the unspeakable current economic situation, has sold more than 27,000 tickets in advance (16% more than last year) and strives to outdo each edition. Very difficult times when we put all our effort into doing so, says Aram Garriga, director, producer and scriptwriter of many film projects and a member of the organization for six years.
- International Sitges Festival
With films in competition, out of competition proposals and what the festival describes as “minor sections”, Sitges Film Festival presents more than 256 films of all sub-genres: science fiction, action thriller, psychological suspense, horror, and undoubtedly Wordl’s End cinema. In addition, this year the festival pays tribute to one of its usual favorites: Tarantino and his film Reservoir Dogs on its 20th anniversary, and offers movies from authors like David Cronenberg, Leo Carax, Tsui Hark and Jennifer Lynch, among many others.
The recommendations of the hardened film-lover Aram for this edition are: “Berbeberian Sound Studio“, a declaration of love to the horror cinema from the British writer-director Peter Strickland, “The Thieves“, the second most popular Korean film in the history of the country, “Compliance“, one of the most thrilling and Lords of Salem, written and directed by Rob Zombie.
- Lords of Salem
We also spoke with Cristina Brondo, a Catalan actress with over 20 films to her credit, and tells how this year she’s not able to go to the festival though she would have loved to assist since the director Adrian Bogliano, with which he shot “Penubra” with his brother Ramiro last year, assists in the official section with “There goes the devil“. However she admits: I’m scared to death with these movies! To prepare for Penumbra I had to watch a few scary movies and moreover I was home alone during these days, so I don’t even want to tell you how bad it was. I had to watch them at daytime and then had to look for something to do after to distract me before going to bed.
- Cristina Brondo
Here are her recommendations: “Insensitive” by Juan Carlos Medina, many friends as Felix Gomez, Irene Montale and l’Àlex Brendemühl are working in it, which I love! And has had great reviews in the Toronto festival. And finally, Cristina, would go without a second thought to see the reissue of “ET” to remember old days of childhood.
- Insensitive
Another of her suggestions is to walk along the beach and sit down to have a bite to get most of these last few days of sun. Definitely a good plan.
