Sadako to open Fantasia

Hideo Nakata horror will launch 2019 festival

by Jennie Kermode

Sadako
Sadako Photo: Fantasia Film Festival

Hideo Nakata's long-awaited Ring reimagining Sadako is to open the 2019 Fantasia International Film Festival, it was revealed today. The Japanese chiller explores the consequences of a curse unleashed on YouTube.

With over 130 features scheduled to screen in total, alongside a packed programme of shorts, the festival will also host the world premières of Blood On Her Name, Stare Homewrecker and Mystery of The Night. Further highlights include artsy yet schlocky erotic horror Porno and sensational science fiction thriller Freaks, which was a huge hit with fans when it screened at the Glasgow Film Festival earlier this year.

There will be a special tribute to director Ted Kotcheff, including a screening of his classic Rambo movie First Blood.

The festival runs from 11 July to 1 August.

Share this with others on...
News

Inviting curiosity Ildikó Enyedi on the value of science, perception, discovery and Silent Friend

Streaming Spotlight: the rites of Spring We shine our Beltane spotlight on films in which the old ways linger

Fighting fit for a debut feature Valéry Carnoy talks toxic masculinity, memory, confidence and Belgian 'soft-power'

Collective power We look ahead at the programme of this year's Folk Film Gathering

Writing hidden messages Arnaud Desplechin on guilt, melodrama, feeling haunted, and Two Pianos

Clever crafting with Idiots Chris Barfoot on his six-camera set up and three-day shoot of his debut feature

More news and features

We're bringing you news and reviews from the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and Queer East.



We're looking forward to Cannes.



We've recently brought you coverage of Visions du Réel, Fantaspoa, Overlook, BFI Flare and SXSW, the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, the NY Rendezvous with French Cinema, the Glasgow Film Festival, the Berlinale, Sundance and Palm Springs.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest from the spring events:


Cannes 16 titles added to line-up


Cannes Carla Simón heads short film jury


Cannes Directors' Fortnight selection


Cannes Payal Kapadia heads Critics' Week jury