As a man of science, I’m afraid that I don’t believe in psychics, mediums or anyone who claims to commune in any way with the dead. There has never been a single scientifically sound experiment which in any way points to the existence of spirits or an afterlife and as far as I am concerned, Derek Acorah and his ilk, can fuck right off. But that’s just me. I know a lot of people believe in it and I wish them well. It’s safe to say that the idea of it all often makes for great horror films…
However, there is a place in the US, a small town just north of Deltona, Florida, that is particularly known for it’s large number of psychics and mediums and as such, has picked up the moniker of being the ”Psychic Capital of the World”.
Welcome to Cassadaga…
The brief synopsis is as follows,
Devastated by the death of her younger sister, Lily Morel seeks solace at the spiritualist community of Cassadaga. But instead of finding closure, she contacts something else — the vengeful ghost of a murdered young woman. With her life crumbling all around her, Lily races to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death — a task that will bring her face-to-face with a sadistic serial killer known only as “Geppetto”. Get ready for oppressive tension and terror in a slasher ghost story unlike any you’ve ever seen before.
From Anthony DiBlasi, the writer/producer/director of the 2009 Film4 Frightfest attraction Clive Barker’s Dread, comes Cassadaga, a uniquely twisted disturbing nightmare that is described as part Southern Gothic horror/part giallo… Sounds saucy. It also happens to be the penultimate film of Glasgow Frightfest 2012.
Written by Bruce Wood and filmed in and around the real town of Cassadaga, the film stars Kevin Alejandro, Lucius Baston, Helen Coleman and Best Actress Oscar winner Louise Fletcher, better known as Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Reviews have been largely positive so far with Dread Central awarding a score of 3/5, citing diBlasi’s direction and the way he carefully builds tension as plus points alongside some excellent performances. DC go on to say that “there are things in this film you haven’t seen before, and you’ll want to”. Oh. and should you want to know a little more of what to expect from Cassadaga, the trailer and poster below should give you an idea. Geppetto doesn’t fuck around.
Cassadaga can be seen at Glasgow FrightFest, as part of the Glasgow Film Festival, at 21.00 on Saturday, February 25th, 2012.
Tickets are priced at £55 for an event pass to see all 11 films, or £8 per film. There is also a concession rate of £6 available for students etc.
Tickets are available from the Glasgow Film Theatre website which can be found here, then click on Festival, then What’s On and on the page that opens in the top left-hand corner you will find all the strands with in the festival. A link to the dedicated FrightFest page is there. All the films are listed on this page and you be able to buy your passes and single tickets.
You can also buy your tickets from the Glasgow Film Theatre, 22 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RB or by calling 0141 332 6535.
See you there…
Oh and the OTHER Cassadaga poster below the trailer is most DEFINITELY NSFW.
