And so we come to it. The FINAL film of Frightfest Glasgow 2012. It’s the film that I am most looking forward to and weirdly, it isn’t even a horror film.
Now, I think it’s fair to say that high rise flats have…something…of a bad reputation. It’s a sad fact. In my experience, they are, at times, shady, and at absolute worst, intimidating.
I cannot imagine how intimidating these buildings would be if they were populated with gun-toting, martial artist junkies and neds. A truly chilling prospect, indeed.
Welshman Gareth Evans has made a film about such a place…
The synopsis is as follows,
Deep in the heart of Jakarta’s slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world’s most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it.
But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building’s lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the 6th floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city’s worst to survive their mission.
The Raid sees Evans reunited with his Merantau star, Iko Uwais, for this hi-octane skull-smashing adrenaline-pumping cult film of the year.
Written by Evans, filmed in Indonesia and featuring music by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, this is THE film to see…
I could go on and on about The Raid and the glowing reviews that it has received from its showings at festivals including 2011′s Toronto International Film Festival but instead, I will simply quote from Bloody-Disgusting’s (9/10) review and if this doesn’t sell it to you, nothing will… “it’s easily one of the most violent and bloody films in history, yes, EVER. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the best action movies ever assembled”.
And, as I had been led to expect by another Welshman, Gareth Evans will be heading to Glasgow from his home in Indonesia to give us all a taste of his mega-violent action flick.
The Raid can be seen at Glasgow FrightFest, as part of the Glasgow Film Festival, at 23.15 on Saturday, February 25th, 2012.
There really is nothing left for me to say save for IMPLORE YOU to check out the trailer below.
It. Is. Awesome.
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.
And that’s that for another year… I’ll see you in the pub after. Mine’s a pint!
