In this visually striking German giallo, Stella, an ambitious acting student is accepted to the mysterious Mateusz Gdula school and soon discovers the story of the school’s founder, who committed suicide when his very particular training method was banned following the deaths of several students. When strange things start to happen in an abandoned wing of the school, Stella suspects that Gdula’s method is still very much alive and practiced in the darker recesses of the school, and she wants to participate at all costs...
Following on from the sumptuous Amer (Celluloid Screams 2010) the spectre of the Italian giallo continues to haunt the hearts and minds of contemporary filmmakers. Andreas Marschall’s stunning ode to the genre goes way beyond mere homage, recalling the style and vivid murder set-pieces of Dario Argento’s greatest hits (particularly Suspiria and Deep Red) whilst retaining a strong narrative flair and style of its own.
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BEATING HEARTS
Director: Matthew Garrett | USA | 2010 | 11 mins
An eruption of brutal violence shatters one family’s tranquil morning in this sickening twist on the ‘killer child’ sub-genre.
NIGHT OF THE DEVIL
Director: Florian Puchert | Germany | 2011 | 15 mins
When charlatan Paul pretends to exorcise a ghost from an old Bavarian farmhouse, he encounters the impossible - an actual supernatural presence. In his attempt to save this seemingly poor, lost soul he unleashes the vengeful spirit of a fire starter.