Blood Ritual - Demons

Date: 27th August 2022
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

Are you having trouble with inner demons? If so, we at Melbourne Horror Film Society can help.

Join us on Saturday, August 27, for it is time to exorcise those demons (and exercise those drinking arms), whilst watching an Italian gem called, you guessed it (plus it was in the event title), 'Demons'.

It's the mid 80s and Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava (Mario's son) team up to write this slice of craziness and gore. Directed by Lamberto Bava, and with a cheeky appearance by fellow horror director Michele Soavi, what you're about to see on screen is beyond belief. If revisiting this film doesn't become a personal ritual, we'll all be very surprised.

Blood Ritual is held at True North in Coburg, and you'll find us there from 6pm, drinking a beverage or two (served in skulls ) and having a tasty bite to eat from the biggest bloody legends you'll ever meet.
Memberships for Blood Ritual are a steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll also get a ticket to grab a drink on the house - what more could you want?!

We hope to see you all there!

MHFS August screening: ROADGAMES

What's in the esky?

You'll have to join us on Tuesday, August 30 to find out as we screen the 1981 Aussie thriller, ROADGAMES.

Heavily inspired by the Alfred Hitchock classic, 'Rear Window', ROADGAMES stars Stacy Keach as Quid, an American trucker driving across the Nullabor who comes to suspect the driver of a green van of murder. Quid picks up a hitchhiker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis and the two (along with pet dingo Boswell) team up to catch the killer.

This screening will be the first of two featuring films directed by Richard Franklin.

You'll be able to find us in the middle room at LongPlay from 6pm and we invite anyone and everyone to come in early and have a pre-film drink, bite to eat, or just a friendly catch up together. The screening will then get underway at 7.30pm in the cinema room at the back. Memberships will be available on the night, setting you back just $15 cashola for three screenings, or $50 for twelve months.

We hope to see you all there!

Blood Ritual July 30th - Maniac Cop

Date: 30th July 2022
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

You have the right to remain silent… FOREVER

We’ve been bouncing through some new age cult classics, but now it’s time for Blood Ritual to return to the magic of the 80s with William Lustig’s 'Maniac Cop'. When a brutal killer, dressed as a New York City police officer goes on a rampage, it's up to Lieutenant McCrae, along with fellow officers Forrest and Mallory to uncover who is behind this evil badge before Forrest is put behind bars as a suspect in the murders. A staple of the late 80s, it stars the wombo combo of Tom Atkins and Bruce Campbell (Chin and Moustache kings) as McCrae and Forrest, with Lauren Landon as Mallory and Robert Z’Dar towering as the Maniac Cop. Written by the great Larry Cohen, and eventually spawning two sequels, you’re not going to want to miss the high octane thrills and kills on the big screen.

Blood Ritual is held at True North, where you'll meet a bunch of bloody legends behind the bar serving beer in skulls and cooking up some tasty eats. 

We'll be hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started at a loose 8.30 (or there abouts).

Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!

We hope to see you all there!

David, Mel, Adam & Sam

MHFS July Screening - Idle Hands

Severed Hands Part 3 of 3

Date: 26th July 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Are you bored, unoccupied, and don't want to do anything that will get you in trouble? MHFS has the answer. Come along to Part 3 of our Severed Hands film theme and we promise you won't have....Idle Hands.

Firstly, a huge thanks to our ever-wonderful members who we are always grateful for, but especially last month as we had a little hiccup and were forced to postpone the screening by a week. No thanks to the spicy cough.. *cough cough*.

Now that that's done with, this month we are heading to the late 90s with 'Idle Hands', starring Devon Sawa, Jessica Alba, Seth Green and Elden Henson.

Seventeen-year-old slacker Anton Tobias wakes up one Halloween morning to discover that both of his parents have been turned into two headless Halloween decorations. After speaking to his equally irresponsible friends, Mick and Pnub, Anton discovers that his right hand has a blood-thirsty mind of its own and and is hell-bent on wreaking havoc whether he likes it or not.

We will also be giving away the last of our fantastic prizes, a severed thumb vial, which was kindly donated and specially made for this series of films by our very talented friend Chonchon Glass.

Join us on Tuesday July 26th for the pre-film talk, which will start at 7.30pm.. and be prepared as I (David) have added more titles to my list of films related to the Severed Hands theme. You will find us in the middle room at LongPlay from 6ish on the night, with membership costing $15 cash for three screenings, or $50 for twelve months.

We look forward to seeing you there.

David, Mel, Adam, and Sam

Blood Ritual 25th of June - Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Come one, come all to the next Blood Ritual, held on Saturday June 25th where we’ll be happily screening the horrifically entertaining Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) are a couple of well-meaning hillfolk headed to their dream cabin in the woods for some restorations, but they are mistaken for psycho killers by college students on a Memorial Day weekend getaway. Their plans go up in smoke as both groups fight for their survival. Filled with hilarious comedic timing, and enough blood and guts to satisfy the gore-whore in us all, this is truly a horror-comedy to die for.

Blood Ritual is held at True North, where you'll find a bunch of bloody legends behind the bar serving beer in skulls and cooking up some tasty eats. The specially made Slither dessert last month was amazing! You'll find us hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started around 8/8.30.
Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!
We hope to see you all there!

Interview with The Hand's Andrea Marcovicci

Our friends at Good Movie Monday caught up with Andrea Marcovicci ahead of our June screening of 'The Hand'. 

You can also hear the audio version of this interview on the GMM podcast episode released on June 9, which features MHFS co-organiser Melsy Begg discussing body parts movies and our Severed Hands series with Glenn and Ben. 

Search for Good Movie Monday wherever you get your podcasts.

July 5th Screening - The Hand

We invite you to "Join Us" for Part 2 of our Severed Hands film theme.

This Month we are going to the 80s with Oliver Stone's sophomore film... The Hand.
Starring Michael Caine and Andrea Marcovicci.

Jon Lansdale (Caine) is a comic book artist who loses his right hand in a car accident. The hand was not found at the scene of the accident, but it soon returns by itself to follow Jon around, and murder those who anger him.

Join us at LongPlay in Fitzroy for the pre-film talk (plus I have added more films to my Severed Hand film list), which will start at 7.30pm, and be prepared as I (David) am compiling a list of Severed Hands (and related) films. You will find us in the middle room at LongPlay from 6ish, with a membership costing $15 for three screenings, or $50 for twelve months. Please note we are still only taking cash at the moment.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Blood Ritual May 28th - Slither

The next Blood Ritual will be taking place on Saturday night, May 28 and we'll be showing Slither from 2006.

Written and directed by James Gunn - yes, 'the' James Gunn of Guardians of the Galaxy & The Suicide Squad fame, but think more Tromeo and Juliet from back when he was a part of Troma Entertainment. Slither is a whole lot of fun and if you enjoyed the sliminess of Society, you are in for another gooey treat!

Blood Ritual is held at True North, where you'll find a bunch of bloody legends behind the bar serving beer in skulls and cooking up some tasty eats. You'll find us hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started around 8/8.30. 

Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!

We hope to see you all there!

David, Mel, Adam & Sam.

May 31st Screening - The Hands of Orlac.

Severed Hands Part 1 of 3 May Screening - The Hands of Orlac (1924)

Most of us have had a paper cut, a splinter, or just a basic cut on our hands at some point, but most people haven't experienced the misfortune of losing a limb to know how that feels. Join us for the next 3 months as we show three films with the theme of Severed Hands. 

First up is The Hands of Orlac, a 1924 film which has been remade a few times. Orlac is a world famous pianist who is badly hurt one day in a big train wreck. He is in danger of losing both of his hands and his wife begs the doctors to save them. They eventually manage to transplant his hands with those of a deceased person. After his recovery, Orlac discovers that there is something seriously wrong with his new pair of hands -- it is as if they had a will of their own. But Orlac doesn't know that they actually belonged to a dangerous murderer. 

Join us at Longplay in Fitzroy for the pre-film talk, which will start at 7.30pm and be prepared as I (David) am compiling a list of Severed Hands (and related) Films. Just like pre-lockdown, you will find us in the middle room at Longplay from 6ish, with a membership costing $15 for three screenings, or $50 for twelve months. Please note we are still only taking cash at the moment. 

We look forward to seeing you there. 

David, Mel, Adam and Sam

Good Movie Monday speak with with Brian Yuzna

Our friends at Good Movie Monday recently sat down with director Brian Yuzna to discuss, amongst other things, his film Society which we will be screening at Blood Ritual this Saturday night. Buckle in for this most excellent conversation with one of horrors most unique voices.

Blood Ritual 30th April - Society

From Director Brian Yuzna comes one of the craziest concoctions of the 1980s, Society. The film follows Bill as he begins to suspect that his wealthy Beverly Hills family might be members in a gruesome cult made up of the social elite. With special effects from the legendary Screaming Mad George this film needs to be seen to be believed. We can’t wait for you to join us and experience every last sticky detail with an ending you’ll never forget.

Blood Ritual is a screening held at True North, a bloody awesome bar/cafe in Coburg run by bloody legends (all the puns intended ). Blood Ritual memberships are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings & you'll be able to redeem a cheeky beverage at the bar for your first visit... yep, just paid for itself! The screening will officially start at 8pm but feel free to come along early and hang out... drink beer from skulls. Skulls!!!!!!
Of course, double vax and QR check-ins will be required. Y'know the drill


We look forward to seeing everyone there.
David, Mel, Adam and Sam

April 26th Screening - House of the Devil

Ti West is currently garnering a lot of attention for his latest release X and we strongly recommend checking that out when you can. For our April screening we will be showing his 2009 film The House of the Devil.

To ensure she can make rent and bond a young student take a baby sitting job that is not what it seems to be. To go any further into the plot will spoil the experience but we'll add a trailer in the comments should you wish to take a look. The House of the Devil is the perfect example of a slow burn horror film and we look forward to watching it with you all.

Just like pre-lockdown, you will find us in the middle room at Longplay from 6ish, with a membership costing $15 for three screenings or $50 for twelve months. Please ensure you are double vaxxed before arriving in accordance with state mandates.

We can’t wait to see you all there,
David, Mel, Adam and Sam

Blood Ritual March 26th - Pieces

You don't have to go to Texas for a chainsaw massacre, you can come to Blood Ritual. This time we're showing the sleaze classic Pieces, a cinematic explosion of gore and madness. Imagine a collage campus slasher flick but instead of a knife the killer wields a chainsaw. If you haven't seen Pieces in a crowd you won't believe how much nasty fun it is.

Blood Ritual is a screening held at True North, a bloody awesome bar/cafe in Coburg run by bloody legends (all the puns intended ). Blood Ritual memberships are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings & you'll be able to redeem a cheeky beverage at the bar for your first visit... yep, just paid for itself! The screening will officially start at 8pm but feel free to come along early and hang out... drink beer from skulls. Skulls!!!!!!

Of course, double vax and QR check-ins will be required. Y'know the drill
We look forward to seeing everyone there.

David, Mel, Adam and Sam

The People Under the Stairs - Interview with Yan Birch

Ahead of our screening of Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs (1991) on the 29th of March at LongPlay, Glenn from Good Movie Monday chatted to actor Yan Birch.

March 29th Screening - The People Under the Stairs

Following on from our insanely successful Women in Horror event, massive thanks again to Nik for hosting, we have part 2 of our Wes Craven retrospective – 1991s The People Under the Stairs. Coming 3 years before Wes kickstarted the Meta-Horror style with New Nightmare, and 5 years before the raging success of Scream, The People Under the Stairs is a great 90s horror film that is often overlooked.

Inspired by true events, The People Under the Stairs sees Fool and his accomplices breaking into a suburban home to find a way to pay the rent when their landlords threaten eviction. After the homeowners return, Fool soon discovers that nothing about this house is normal with evil lurking in every nook & cranny. A true gem, filled with Wes’ typical social commentary, you won’t want to miss this film and its continued relevance to our crazy modern lives.

Just like pre-lockdown, you will find us in the middle room at Longplay from 6ish, with a membership costing $15 for three screenings or $50 for twelve months. The screening will begin at 7.30. Please ensure you are double vaxxed before arriving in accordance with state mandates.

We can’t wait to see you all there,

David, Mel, Adam and Sam

Women in Horror - Kathryn Bigelow’s “finger-lickin’ GOOD!” Near Dark

Nik McGrath

It’s 1996 and my English teacher is pushing the TV and VHS player on the trolley into the classroom again. A welcome sight because I knew our teacher enjoyed showing us vampire films! So far we had seen the silent era Nosferatu (Murnau, 1922) contrasted against the saxophone playing 80s coolness of The Lost Boys (Shumacher, 1987). What vampire film would our teacher show next?! 

A few years earlier in 1992, I remember seeing BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA posters in my local Blockbuster. Mum said I was a bit too young to watch it yet, but a few years later I found a VHS tape in a Goth shop in Brissie, and couldn’t wait to take it home to watch. 

At this stage, I thought I’d seen every vampire film I could get my hands on. Especially with the help of an English teacher who didn’t teach, but made our lessons a film club for vampire nerds. How wrong could I be, I had so far to go with my vampire obsession. I definitely hadn’t heard of Near Dark (Bigelow, 1987) at this early age. I wish I had.

Image: Kathryn Bigelow on set of Near Dark with Jenette Goldstein as Diamondback

Kathryn Bigelow’s “finger-lickin’ GOOD!” Near Dark, came out the same year as another vampire movie The Lost Boys (Shumacher, 1987) but sadly didn’t do as well at the box office. Indie film Near Dark didn’t have the same firepower as the Warner Bros marketing machine that made sure that The Lost Boys was a blockbuster hit, but as Kathryn says in a documentary called Living in Darkness (Gregory, 2002), Near Dark has since gained a following by horror fans who have realised this film has substance. 

Now a cult film, Near Dark is an original and unique look at vampires, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, written by Bigelow and Eric Red, coming out the year after Aliens (Cameron, 1986), which also starred Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton and Jenette Goldstein. Central to the story is the gypsy-like family - Lance Henriksen as Jesse, Jenette Goldstein as Diamondback, Bill Paxton as Severen, Jenny Wright as Mae, and Joshua John Miller as Homer. Living on the edge of society, this outcast family feeds off people they hunt at night. Adrian Pasdar as Caleb, meets Mae one night, and enters a world beyond his reckoning.

Still of Bill Paxton as Severen in Near Dark

Bigelow cast three actors from Aliens, because they were a perfect fit for the characters they embodied, but also because they had a pre-existing relationship and chemistry between each other. This film was shot in 47 days, 40 of those were night shoots; it was important to get those central characters right from day one. Bigelow said the actors were a “unit on camera and off”. Finding the actor who plays Mae took a number of auditions. Bigelow describes Mae’s character played by actor Jenny Wright as “the engine that drives the whole piece forward”. 

The western meets vampire love story is a fun hybrid of these genres, and, refreshingly, no fangs, no Gothic elements such as crosses or stakes to the heart. Bigelow says in the documentary that she was influenced by the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but she wanted to break all the rules and mash together the romance of a western with the romance of the Dracula story. 

One vampire trope is particularly strong in this story. Smoking skin in contact with sunlight. The special effects artists used burning cigars and tubing to release the cigar smoke from the face and skin exposed to the sun. Actor Adrian Pasdar who plays Caleb, said he smelt like he’d been playing poker all night for a week after shooting the scene in the corn field. Bigelow stated they used tobacco smoke instead of other harsh chemicals normally used to create smoke in films because they were working with a minor. 

Image: Kathryn Bigelow with Joshua John Miller as Homer on the set of Near Dark

Actor Joshua John Miller was 13 when he played Homer. You might also know this actor from the creepy kid he portrayed in River’s Edge (Hunter, 1986). Joshua John Miller co-wrote The Final Girls (Strauss-Schulson, 2015) with life partner MA Fortin. Melbourne Horror Film Society hosted a watchparty of The Final Girls during lockdown last year. It was so much fun and just what we needed at the time. Glenn recently interviewed Joshua John Miller for Good Movie Monday, check out the interview here. 

Director, producer and writer Kathryn Bigelow started out her career as a painter. She studied painting in the 1970s at the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI), and went on to New York City to join the Whitney Museum’s Independent Study Program. She was given a studio to live and work in New York, and was part of a group art show at the Whitney at the end of the year. Pretty amazing opportunity for an artist. Bigelow gave a commencement speech at SFAI in 2013: “Art school questions become life questions. That’s why art education is really vital and unique”. 

Asked why she went from painter to filmmaker: “I knew film had the potential to cross all lines of culture and class. That excited me”. Bigelow went on to complete a master’s degree in the graduate film program at Columbia University. While at Columbia, Bigelow made her first short film The Set-Up (Bigelow, 1978). The film is a 17 minute short of two men hitting each other in an alley while two professors debate why violence is seductive in cinematic form. Bigelow was very new to the medium of film. “I knew exactly what I wanted. But I didn’t understand that you fake shots and fake hits and put sound effects in. These guys were getting bloodier and bloodier. They were in bed for two weeks after. I almost killed them” said Bigelow. 

Bigelow is a filmmaker who builds tension in her work, until it’s almost unbearable. She aims to create films with “adrenaline and velocity, and exploring characters that are unfamiliar. Characters put in extreme situations, obsessive situations”. 

When asked what Bigelow thinks about horror and sci-fi films, she stated, “I love them”. She went on to say that she didn’t want to work exclusively in the horror or sci-fi genres because she wanted to explore as many genres as possible. She said, “what’s fantastic about the horror and sci-fi genres is that anything is possible”. 

What unifies her work is a gritty Americanness, Bigelow is patriotic, not glorifying her country, but a truth-teller, exposing the ugly and raw reality of American culture. 

Still of Tina L’Hotsky as Sportster Debbie in The Loveless

The Loveless (Bigelow and Montgomery, 1981), was Bigelow’s first feature film, co-written and directed with Monty Montgomery. Set in the 1950s, a motorcycle gang stops in a southern town on the way to the races and all hell breaks loose. Bigelow and Montgomery cast rockabillies that had a look that they wanted for the film.The authenticity of the casting has made this a cult classic. The set design and costumes were created by MoMA’s Film Study Center with aesthetic direction from Bigelow. This was one of Willem Dafoe’s earliest film roles. He was one of the few professional actors on set. The rest of the cast were either locals or handpicked for their authentic 1950s looks. 

Image: Kathryn Bigelow and Jamie Lee Curtis on the set of Blue Steel

Blue Steel (Bigelow, 1990), starring Jamie Lee Curtis playing rookie Officer Megan Turner, written by Bigelow and Eric Red, breaking down stereotypes by flipping the serial killer story which usually features a man killing women, this story is about a female cop going against a serial killer, and not backing down. Bigelow builds tension until breaking point. Film students often study Blue Steel as an example of a feminist film. 

Her first commercially successful film was Point Break (Bigelow, 1991). Bigelow calls it a wet western. It’s an adrenaline junky film with big wave surfing, skydiving, bank robberies and car chases. Bigelow cast some real surfers to give the film authenticity. Patrick Swayze did a lot of his own stunts, including one crazy skydiving scene when he falls backwards out of a plane. 

Sill of Lori Petty as Tyler in Point Break

The film revolutionised the use of handheld cameras, which Bigelow used to make the audience feel part of the action. The best example of this is the thrilling foot chase scene of FBI Agent Johnny Utah played by Keanu Reeves and Bohdi played by Swayze. 

Lori Petty who plays Tyler, says people think the film has a softness because of Bigelow, but that’s not true, Bigelow enjoys the action scenes more than she enjoys working on the love scenes in the film. 

Bigelow fought to have Lori Petty cast as Tyler, even though she didn’t have the blonde beach babe look the producers - all men - were looking for. Bigelow always breaks stereotypes and makes surprising choices, which gives her films an edge. 

Still of Angela Bassett as Mace in Strange Days

Strange Days (Bigelow, 1995), set in 1999 in the days leading up to New Years 2000. A powerful sci-fi story about voyeurism, unrequited love, memories, racial tensions in America, corruption, rape and murder. 

SQUID recordings are illegal, they record memories and physical sensations onto a disc, so that users can experience these memories and sensations first hand. A black market for these discs leads to dealings with disturbing material including snuff films. 

Angela Bassett plays Mace, such a kickass take no prisoners character that I absolutely recommend checking out if you love strong female leads! Ralph Fiennes plays Lenny, an anti-hero who is a dealer of SQUID recordings. This film has Johnny Mnemonic (Longo, 1995) vibes, a film that came out the same year. 

Bassett won best actress and Bigelow was the first woman to win best director at the 22nd Saturn Awards. Saturn Awards annually celebrate and acknowledge sci-fi, fantasy and horror films. 

Image: Kathryn Bigelow with Will Poulter on the set of Detroit

Detroit (Bigelow, 2017), had me squirming in my seat. The corruption, racism, civil rights abuses, and racial murders carried out by Detroit Police in 1967 during the riots, it’s difficult to watch. This is an important film, although dramatised, it is based on true events. Released 50 years after the events of 1967, it forces you to consider, how far has America come since 1967?

Bigelow explored historical political material as a painter, which she also explores in her films. “I always felt that war was the great canvas, so to speak, containing the major themes of our time. It’s dehumanising. It’s brutalising. It’s hell”. Films such as The Hurt Locker (Bigelow, 2008) and Zero Dark Thirty (Bigelow, 2012), expose the horrors of war, terrorism, black sites, torture. The horror depicted in these films is based on real events.

Image: Kathryn Bigelow on the set of The Hurt Locker / Source: Summit Entertainment

Criticised for the violence in her films, consistently throughout her career. The torture scenes in Zero Dark Thirty were controversial. Would Bigelow have received as much criticism if she was a man? Bigelow has fought against the stereotype of what it means to be a woman and filmmaker. Often emotional sensitive work is what is expected by the industry. It’s an inspiration that Bigelow has maintained her creative integrity throughout her entire career. 

Bigelow was the first woman to win an Academy Award for best director for The Hurt Locker in 2010. The second woman to win best director was Chloé Zhao for Nomandland in 2020. I wonder if it will be another decade before a woman receives the Oscar for best director? Kathryn won best director at the 82nd Academy Awards. Eighty-two years of men exclusively winning best director. Before the 82nd Academy Awards, three female directors had been nominated for best director. I’m making this point because some may argue why do we have to make a big deal about screening films directed by women? This is why.

Celebrate Women in Horror Movement by watching more female directed horror this month, and every month. I’ve created a horror directed by women list in Letterboxd with 397 films and counting which you can use as a starting point. 

REFERENCES

 Bigelow, K 1987, Kathryn Bigelow on Near Dark, https://youtu.be/0te1pmD7BNM. 

Bigelow, K 2010, DP/30: The Hurt Locker - Director Kathryn Bigelow, https://youtu.be/rcMVGQphEw8. 

Bigelow, K 2013, SFAI Alumna Spotlight: Kathryn Bigelow, https://www.artandeducation.net/announcements/108449/sfai-alumna-spotlight-kathryn-bigelow. 

Good Movie Monday 2022, Joshua John Miller - Near Dark - Interview (MHFS), https://youtu.be/J1Fdg32pFQg. 

Gregory, D 2002, Living in Darkness, Blue Underground, United States.

Point Break Blu-ray Pure Adrenaline Edition 2011, Featurettes - It’s Make or Break, Ride the Wave, Adrenaline Junkies and On Location: Malibu, Warner Bros, NSW.

Near Dark - interview with Joshua John Miller

This coming Tuesday the 22nd of February our WiHM screening of Kathryn Bigelow's NEAR DARK is happening and to get you in the mood, good friend of MHFS, Glenn from Good Movie Monday chatted to Joshua John Miller.. hope you enjoy.

Blood Ritual: My Bloody Valentine (1981) - Feb 26th

It's finally happening... Again!

February is the month of love, and what better way to enjoy that than watching a total psychopath ravage a small mining town?

That's right, returning to True North after a little break due to the spicy cough rearing its head over the Christmas period.. and we're back with a vengeance. So is Harry Warden in My Bloody Valentine as he returns to the quiet town of Valentines Bluff after being locked up for 20 years. What horrors await this community and how did Harry escape from the local mental hospital? You'll just have to join us and find out. We've even got a special treat for you in our heart shaped box , the uncut version of the film with all the gore still intact!

Blood Ritual is a screening held at True North, a bloody awesome bar/cafe in Coburg run by bloody legends (all the puns intended ). Blood Ritual memberships are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings & you'll be able to redeem a cheeky beverage at the bar for your first visit... yep, just paid for itself! The screening will officially start at 8pm but feel free to come along early and hang out... drink beer from skulls and maybe find a belated Valentine to give your heart to.
Of course, double vax and QR check-ins will be required. Y'know the drill

We look forward to seeing everyone there.
David, Mel, Adam and Sam

WiHM2022: Kathryn Bigelow's NEAR DARK - Feb 22nd

Nik McGrath is guest host for our Women in Horror screening of Kathryn Bigelow’s “finger-lickin’ GOOD!” NEAR DARK.

Women in Horror Month started in 2010, and is a grassroots international movement celebrating the contribution of women to the horror genre. As of March 2021, the Women in Horror Month organisation disbanded, asking the community to self-govern, to celebrate women in horror all-year round. MHFS has been hosting Women in Horror Month events every Feb since 2017, and continues the tradition this year.

Kathryn Bigelow’s NEAR DARK (1987) is a western meets vampire love story, written by Bigelow and Eric Red. Central to the story is the gypsy-like family - Lance Henriksen as Jesse, Jenette Goldstein as Diamondback, Bill Paxton as Severen, Jenny Wright as Mae, and Joshua John Miller as Homer. Living on the edge of society, this outcast family feed off people they hunt at night. Adrian Pasdar as Caleb, meets Mae one night, and enters a world beyond his reckoning.

Come join us for a drink and dinner in the second room at LongPlay in Fitzroy from 6pm. The intro and screening will kick off at 7:30pm in the rear cinema. Memberships are available on the night and will set you back $15 for 3 screenings, or $50 for 12 (please note we're taking cash only for the time being).

Hope to see you there.
Mel, David, Adam, and Sam.

January Screening - Deadly Blessing

New year, new horror films to explore. With Scream 5 now in cinemas here at MHFS we thought why not look back at, and pay tribute to, some of Wes Cravens under-appreciated films starting with "Deadly Blessing" from 1981. The screening will be held at Longplay on the 25th of January starting at 7.30pm

Wes's third feature film finds us in the heavily religious world of the Hittites, who make the Amish look like swingers. When Martha's ex Hittite husband dies in a tragic farm accident she must quickly find out if it was foul play or the mythical incubus the Hittites fear. Has this community been right all along or is something more sinister happening in this small town? You'll have to join us to find out.

Just like pre-lockdown you will find us in the backroom at Longplay from 6ish, with a membership costing $15 for three screenings or $50 for twelve months. Please ensure you are double vaxxed before arriving in accordance with state mandates. It also goes without saying that while the discord chat has been great, being back in person we all need to respect those around us while the film is on and keep the chatter for before and after the film.

We can’t wait to see you all there
David, Mel, Adam and Sam