James Knows Horror Horror-ably Well

You know that friend that told you to see PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 because it was so scary and so you rented it and lost two hours of your life forever? A lot can be said about a person who knows good movies and can recommend good horror to watch. James DePaolo is one of those people. He recommended THE TAINT, we loved it, and we might have missed it had we not heard such a glowing endorsement.


Now, this is James' new top fifteen list of films you should go out and see immediately. You will find the highly satiristic and entertaining indie, THE TAINT, on the list. Much to our privilege and honor - DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has also made the list. He does an excellent job of breaking down each film as to why you should see it and why you would enjoy it. For a person, like me, who has grown disenchanted with studio-derived, recycled, paint by numbers horror - this list is a godsend.

Now get ready for a trip to your local independent video store (may they exist forever) or get your VOD/Netflixing fingers ready for the list: My top 15 films…you need to rush and see asap by James DePaolo courtesy of The Wicked Channel.


Enjoy your flicks, have some popcorn, and let me know what you thought!

~Sylv

DHIAT Censorship Controversy hits The Star Phoenix

Our story has hit the local news. If you haven't heard about all the fuss surrounding a double billing screening of our beloved DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK alongside THE TAINT through Dark Bridges Film Festival's John Allsion being banned and canceled by the Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, you, my friend, must have spent the weekend under a rock.

But fear not, you can read about it here, as our story hit the local news.

Though the "anonymous" folks who protested the screening decided, in the true nature of anonymity, to not talk to the press, though I imagine they would have been more than free to remain anonymous, both sides of this argument were heard.

Allison believes the backlash is related to the Roxy's location in Riversdale.

"I don't want it to be about Riversdale. I had complaints of How could you put 'Dead Hooker in a Trunk' and 'Kill women' in Riversdale when there's so much violence against women in Riversdale.' That's the wrong way to look at this type of stuff for me," Allison said. "Violence is wrong, whether it's in Riversdale or elsewhere. We're perpetuating this myth that Riversdale is a bad area."

Allison said he understands why violence is a sensitive topic and why people might be offended by the poster, but he wants to encourage debate rather than outright censorship.

Though I sympathize with the murders anyone anywhere, regardless of their profession and given labels, I feel this was a mistake on behalf of the theatre and that our film has been used unfairly to voice outrage over how prostitutes and their murders in the area have not been taken seriously by the local law enforcement. This film is so much more than a unconventional title. It is a testament to independent and Canadian film. People should be allowed to choose to see the film or not.

But they should be given the choice.

~ Jen

Controversy Strikes in Saskatoon over Dead Hooker In A Trunk Screening

The Dark Bridges Film Festival is pretty damn incredible. Dark Bridges Film Festival is Saskatchewan's premiere showcase of cool independent and foreign genre films. In 2009 Dark Bridges celebrated its launch with the Saskatchewan Premiere of Grace and the Canadian Premiere of Ink along with four short films. In 2010 the first full festival was held which showcased 12 Feature films: Centurion, Dawning, El Monstro Del Mar!, Werewolf Fever, High School, Death of the Dead, [REC], [REC 2], Long Pigs, A Film With Me In It, Black Field as well as the The Good, The Bad, The Weird. In addition, 7 Saskatchewan short films and 20 World short films received their Saskatchewan Premiere at the festival.

The Second Annual Dark Bridges Film Festival runs October 13th through 16th, 2011. Plans for this year's festival include an extra night of films as well as an afternoon discussion session.

It is an incredible honor that our film, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, will be playing this month, courtesy of Dark Bridges Film Festival, at the beautiful Roxy Theatre as a Double Feature with the TAINT on April 22nd at 11:30pm. We have been so happy to have the film appear at film festivals across the world, but it fills us with special pride to show the film in our beautiful Canada.

But not all is well in Saskatoon. The Roxy Theatre received an anonymous phone call a few days prior where an unidentified woman stated she was embarrassed for Saskatoon and couldn't believe that they would show a movie with that title after all stuff that went on in Vancouver with missing Prostitutes. She didn't leave her name or a number for call back. To be honest, it isn't the first or I imagine the last time that we will receive this kind of a call.

But what has happened now disgusts me. Someone took it upon themselves to rip down the festival posters from the main drag in town.

Officially, I have this to say:

"I am shocked and saddened that someone in this day and age could be so closed minded about the mere title of a film. Without attempting to research the film in the slightest, they rushed to judgment and condemned something that in fact should be something that Canadians should be very proud of. 'Dead Hooker In A Trunk' is a little independent film made by a couple of Canadians that has, despite all odds and challenges, been seen world wide in a multitude of film festivals, won critically praise, honors, and awards, and has shown the world that Canadians are big time contenders in the film industry and their work deserves to be paid attention to."

Additionally, I have this to say. This is a disgusting display of ignorance. Canada is the land known as the strong and the free. I feel that censorship is bullshit and breeds ignorance. We've worked so hard to bring the film to where it is and to have someone in our own country vandalize our posters is an act of absolute cowardice.
If this upsets you as much as it upsets us, help us out and spread the word. This kind of behavior is intolerable, absolutely shameful, and, dammit, so very not Canadian. If you're in Saskatoon, please come out and show your support for DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. Say it loud and say it proud.

And please help spread the word. I will keep you posted on how things unfold. It now looks likely that the event will be canceled. I think this is unacceptable. How about you guys? You can call the Roxy theatre at (306) 955-8642 and tell them that you support DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK.

Yes, we can, boys and grrls. Thank you for supporting independent film and freedom of speech.

~Jen