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Francesca Ciardi

News

Francesca Ciardi

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UK Fans Gear Up for Cult Film Weekend at Weird Worcester
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A new cult film convention is set to make its debut in the West Midlands this June as ‘Weird Worcester’ launches its first edition at the Worcester Arena. Organised by boutique home video label Treasured Films, the two-day event will run from 14 to 15 June, promising an ambitious celebration of Italian genre cinema and international cult classics.

Positioned on the banks of the River Severn, the convention will welcome an eclectic group of guests, many of whom are icons of European horror and exploitation cinema. The event’s centrepiece is a rare UK appearance from Fred Williamson, the American actor and former football player whose prolific film career spans From Dusk Till Dawn, Vigilante, Hell Up in Harlem, and the original Inglorious Bastards.

Italian cinema is the event’s central theme for its inaugural year, and the guest list reflects a deep engagement with the genre’s roots and legacy. Among those attending is Sergio Martino,...
See full article at Love Horror
  • 5/29/2025
  • by Oliver Mitchell
  • Love Horror
Romford Horror Festival Unleashes 240 Films Across Four Days
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Festival fans can prepare for an unforgettable four-day experience as the Romford Horror Festival returns with a bigger, bolder, and bloodier line-up than ever before. Running from February 27th to March 2nd, the festival will take over the soon-to-be-open Lumiere at the Mercury Shopping Centre, setting the stage for its highly anticipated official launch at the end of March. This year’s event marks a major expansion, with 240 feature films and shorts screening across seven screens, offering a deep dive into both mainstream and independent horror.

Festival Director Spencer Hawken sees this edition as a milestone, not only for the festival itself but also as a crucial test for the new cinema. “This is a fantastic opportunity to test the venue with a live audience, and horror fans are the perfect guinea pigs,” he said. “They’re passionate, knowledgeable, and incredibly understanding if there are any technical hiccups. While our...
See full article at Love Horror
  • 2/10/2025
  • by Oliver Mitchell
  • Love Horror
15 Best Indie Horror Movies Ever Made
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Indie horror films have long been the breeding ground for some of cinema's most daring, imaginative, and unsettling works. Unlike major studio productions, independent horror often pushes creative boundaries, employing a low budget to deliver raw, unfiltered storytelling that haunts audiences.

From psychological torment to merciless gore, certain films embody the spirit of indie horror at its finest, showcasing the vision of filmmakers who make fear palpable without relying on blockbuster effects. The best indie horror movies have left a permanent mark on the genre by offering standout elements that challenge, frighten, and, in many cases, disturb audiences long after the credits roll. Also, when it comes to certain indie masterpieces, they are essential viewing for anyone looking to experience horror's depth and diversity, whether someone is a seasoned horror fan or a newcomer to the genre.

Movie Title

Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer

Rotten Tomatoes' Popcornmeter

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

67%

61%

Funny Games (1997)

73%

83%

Creep...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 10/30/2024
  • by Terry Perez
  • ScreenRant
10 Best Horror Movies That Were Rated Nc-17 Or X
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When it comes to movie ratings, the Nc-17 or X certification was as strict as it could get, meaning that these horror movies were truly for adult eyes only. While the already harsh R rating meant those under 17 years old required an accompanying parent or adult guardian to see the film, these classifications blocked all young people from seeing these controversial, divisive, and highly violent movies. Many of these horror films pushed far past normal boundaries of acceptability and were likely to give viewers nightmares no matter how old they were.

Some of the scariest horror movies of all time were rated Nc-17 or X, although it was more than just gore and violence that often led to these classifications. Intense themes, highly sexualized imagery, and pure profanity could also lead classifiers like the Motion Picture Association (MPAA) and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to deem these movies for adults only.
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 10/12/2024
  • by Stephen Holland
  • ScreenRant
Ruggero Deodato, Director of Banned Horror ‘Cannibal Holocaust,’ Dies at 83
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Ruggero Deodato, director of the shocking horror movie “Cannibal Holocaust,” which was so controversial it was banned in some countries, died Thursday, the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported. He was 83.

The 1980 film “Cannibal Holocaust” is considered one of the goriest movies of all time and cited as the first movie to use found footage. It was banned in several countries due to its graphic depictions of violence, sexual assault and animal cruelty, and it even resulted in Deodato being arrested on obscenity charges. He was accused of murdering several actors on camera to achieve the level of realistic brutality, but he was later cleared and the charges were dropped. He directed other films throughout his career, but “Cannibal Holocaust” was his most famous and reached cult-classic status in the horror community. It also granted him the nickname “Monsieur Cannibal” in France.

Born in Potenza, Italy, on May 7, 1929, Deodato studied under...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 12/29/2022
  • by Jordan Moreau
  • Variety Film + TV
Bruce Campbell’s Horror Film Festival Adds June and Jeruzalem to the Lineup
In two weeks, vampires, cannibals, Halloween frights and more will grace the screen at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois for Bruce Cambell's Horror Film Festival. Now a telekinetic kid and and an apocalypse have joined the killer lineup, as both June and JeruZalem will make their U.S. premieres at the festival.

Press Release: "Chicago, Illinois (August 6, 2015) – The second annual Bruce Campbell Horror Film Festival presented by Wizard World, running August 20 – 23 at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois (9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont), is proud to announce the addition of two more films to the already bursting schedule.

June, starring Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) and Kennedy Brice (The Walking Dead), tells the story of nine-year-old June (Brice), who has been shuffled in and out of foster homes for years. Though she tries to be good, no matter where she goes a trail of chaos and terror seems to follow.
See full article at DailyDead
  • 8/6/2015
  • by Derek Anderson
  • DailyDead
Schedule for Bruce Campbell’s Horror Film Festival Includes Tales Of Halloween, Fright Night, Cannibal Holocaust
One month from now, Bruce Cambell's Horror Film Festival will take over the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois and they've announced killer lineup that includes Tales of Halloween, a screening of Fright Night with a Q&A from Tom Holland, and Eli Roth introducing Cannibal Holocaust:

"Chicago, July 22, 2015 – The second annual Bruce Campbell Horror Film Festival presented by Wizard World, running August 20 – 23 at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois (9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont), promises thrills, chills, guests and surprises to Chicago’s legions of horror fans. The four-day event, programmed by The Awesome Fest, will coincide with Wizard World Chicago and offers convention-goers and ticket holders a chance to sit back, relax, and lose their minds.

“You can have your rom-coms, your indie darlings and your blockbusters,” remarks Bruce Campbell. “I’ll take a good old-fashioned horror movie any day or night of the week!”

“With this program we...
See full article at DailyDead
  • 7/22/2015
  • by Jonathan James
  • DailyDead
Indie Spotlight: The Church, Scream Machine, Avenged, Death Walks
We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today's feature includes release details for One Drop, a look at Evil Lurks in Innocence, a teaser trailer from The Church, a Q&A with Amanda Adrienne from the film Avenged, and much more:

Women in Horror Month and One Drop Release Details: "February is Women in Horror Month, and few women are working harder in the genre than Tricia Lee. The director of the award winning films Silent Retreat and Clean Break has been pounding the pavement to secure financing for her next film One Drop.

One Drop tells the story of Ellie, a drug addict who overdoses and wakes up in the basement of a medical facility. Everyone around her is dead, and she is suddenly nine months pregnant.

With a strong creative team including long time partner in crime,...
See full article at DailyDead
  • 2/16/2015
  • by Tamika Jones
  • DailyDead
‘Cannibal Holocaust’ Blu-ray Review (Grindhouse Releasing)
“I wonder who the real cannibals are…”

There have been many releases of Cannibal Holocaust throughout the years, on various formats, but this release, from Grindhouse Releasing in the United States, is, from what I’ve seen, the best yet, and features 3 discs, here, I’ll be looking at what is on those discs, and reviewing the film.

Now, this isn’t an easy task. Cannibal Holocaust has been spoken about, reviewed and studied by a vast number of people in the last 34 years with great amounts of research done into the making of the film and the events that followed its release. While I might not go into as much detail as some, I will still do my best to give my thoughts on the film and this specific set. This will only be my second time with the film, and the first time I will have seen it in over ten years.
See full article at Nerdly
  • 10/10/2014
  • by Chris Cummings
  • Nerdly
Cannibal Holocaust Theatrical Re-Release Announced
It’s advertised as “the one that goes All The Way!” Ruggero Deodato’s controversial 1980 cult film, Cannibal Holocaust, features a human feeding frenzy after a South American cannibal tribe selects a group of documentary filmmakers to be their next meal. A big influence on Eli Roth’s The Green Inferno, Cannibal Holocaust is making a comeback to the silver screen this fall via Grindhouse Releasing.

“Grindhouse Releasing brings director Ruggero Deodato’s notorious horror classic Cannibal Holocaust back to the big screen starting this weekend at Landmark Theatres across the United States.

Cannibal Holocaust tells the story of four documentary filmmakers who experience brutal death at the hands of a savage South American tribe of flesh-eaters. The film is so intense, so graphic and so unflinching in its realism that the director and producer of Cannibal Holocaust were arrested on its original release and the film was seized.

Cannibal Holocaust has influenced many filmmakers,...
See full article at DailyDead
  • 10/8/2014
  • by Derek Anderson
  • DailyDead
Blu-ray Review – Cannibal Holocaust (Grindhouse Releasing)
This is the release that we’ve been waiting for. Ever since Grindhouse Releasing started putting titles out in the Blu-ray format, there were two titles that they released on DVD that fans just knew would be coming to Blu-ray soon. Those titles would be Cannibal Holocaust, and Pieces. Cannibal Holocaust, probably being the more important release between the two. The day is finally here, and holy hell what a release this is. Even if you’re not a fan of the movie itself, this is such an impressive Blu-ray release that it deserves to be on your shelf regardless. Why can’t all releases be as nice as a Grindhouse Releasing release? For the type of film they release, everything from the content to the packaging is miles beyond almost all of their competitors. Cannibal Holocaust may be one of the most disturbing releases they’ve put to the Blu-ray format,...
See full article at The Liberal Dead
  • 7/2/2014
  • by Shawn Savage
  • The Liberal Dead
Coming Soon To Blu-ray – Cannibal Holocaust (Grindhouse Releasing) – July 1
Love it or hate it, and for whatever reason, Cannibal Holocaust carved its own spot in cult movie infamy, and it has such staying power that it is not going away. Once Grindhouse Releasing made their return, and started releasing films to Blu-ray, I wondered instantly if things like Pieces and Cannibal Holocaust would get the High-Def treatment, and it appears that I have my answer. Though Pieces hasn’t been announced for a Blu-ray yet, Cannibal Holocaust has, and now we have not only a final release date, but a list of the treasure trove of bonus content that comes along with it. Get your pre-orders in, kids. Now is the time.

From the press release:

Cannibal Holocaust

3 Disc Deluxe Edition 2 Blu-rays + 1 CD

Label: Grindhouse Releasing

Pre-book: 6/3/2014 Street Date: 7/1/2014

Srp: 39.95 Upc: 797679001123 Cat: Bos 011

Run Time: 96 Minutes Language: English

Color Widescreen 1.85:1 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Region: All

Production Year: 1980 Genre:...
See full article at The Liberal Dead
  • 5/28/2014
  • by Shawn Savage
  • The Liberal Dead
Cannibal Holocaust Blu-ray Bonus Features and Release Date
It’s advertised as “the one that goes All The Way!” And for good reason. Ruggero Deodato’s controversial 1980 cult film Cannibal Holocaust is known for its stomach churning scenes of cannibalistic violence. In the film, a human feeding frenzy ensues when a South American cannibal tribe makes a group of documentary filmmakers their next meal.

Its disturbing realism is sure to be enhanced in its upcoming Blu-ray release via Grindhouse Releasing and fans of the cult flick should be excited now that a detailed list of special features and a release date for the Cannibal Holocaust Blu-ray have been announced.

With Grindhouse Releasing setting their sights on a July 1st release date, the Cannibal Holocaust Blu-ray will boast an impressive lineup of bonus features for fans to eat up:

Bonus Features [via Blu-ray.com]:

3 Disc Deluxe Edition – 2 Blu-rays + CD New high-definition digital restoration of the original director’s cut Spectacular digital...
See full article at DailyDead
  • 5/12/2014
  • by Derek Anderson
  • DailyDead
Eat Up These Official Cannibal Holocaust Blu-ray Details
While I personally do not care to see that poor friggin' turtle in Cannibal Holocaust pointlessly slaughtered in full 1080p resolution, I know that there's a bunch of you that do. With the film hitting Blu-ray soon, we've got the skinny for ya! Dig it!

Grindhouse Releasing announced that Ruggero Deodato’s masterpiece will arrive July 1st on Blu-ray in an all-new deluxe edition three-disc release. The set includes two Blu-ray discs loaded with special features and a newly remastered soundtrack CD of the original score by Riz Ortolani.

Grindhouse Releasing’s Cannibal Holocaust Deluxe Edition Blu-ray is the ultimate home video presentation of this notorious classic named by Entertainment Weekly as “one of the most controversial films ever made.”

The three-disc set can be pre-ordered now exclusively at Diabolik DVD.

Special Features

New high-definition digital restoration of the uncensored director’s cut Spectacular digital stereo re-mix and original mono...
See full article at DreadCentral.com
  • 5/10/2014
  • by Steve Barton
  • DreadCentral.com
Top 5: Reasons to attend McM Comic Con Birmingham
McM Comic Con and Memorabilia Birmingham take place this weekend, March 22nd-23rd, at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Unlike the huge event that is McM Comic Con London, this event is on a smaller scale – focusing more on memorabilia and the attending autograph guests. Having always attended the London event we took time out last November to attend our first McM Comic Con/Memorabilia Birmingham and enjoyed it so much we’re heading back this weekend.

But why should you attend? Well here’s out Top 5 reasons to attend McM Comic Con/Memorabilia Birmingham:

1) The Guests

As with any McM event, the guest list for Birmingham is packed with a veritable smorgasbord of actors and actresses from movies, television and anime. Plus for the more grown-up nerds there’s even an appearance from the odd glamour model and porn star!

My personal highlights for this weekends event are...
See full article at Nerdly
  • 3/17/2014
  • by Phil Wheat
  • Nerdly
Blu-ray Review: Cannibal Holocaust – Depraved Film Is About As HD As A Well-Worn VHS!
(Due to the graphic nature of the film we thought it best not to include screenshots with this review)

It was released over thirty years ago, but to this day Cannibal Holocaust is widely regarded as the most controversial film ever to be released. Famously banned in the UK, the film makes its way to Blu-ray for the first time today, in a two-film edition that includes a newly edited version by director Ruggero Deodato. Read on for our review…

An extremely violent and gory film, containing strong sex, sexual violence and animal slaughter, Cannibal Holocaust is a provocative work concerning a crew of documentary filmmakers who go missing while filming primitive cannibal tribes deep in the Amazonian rain forest. The horrific footage they shot before disappearing is found by members of a second expedition who soon discover for themselves the horrific truth behind the original explorers’ demise…

Quite simply,...
See full article at Obsessed with Film
  • 9/26/2011
  • by Stuart Cummins
  • Obsessed with Film
Cannibal Holocaust Assaults UK Blu-ray in New Director’s Edit w/Less Animal Death!
Here's yet another reason to upgrade to Blu-ray if ever I saw one – Director Ruggero Deodato’s highly controversial and widely acclaimed Cannibal Holocaust will soon be released in an eye-popping, high definition director's cut courtesy of the UK’s Shameless Screen Entertainment! Now where’s my wallet...

For those of us yet to make the jump to Blu-ray, don't get your panties in a knot – Shameless have also seen fit to give it a decent two-disc DVD package that finally complements the film that shocked the world!

From the Press Release:

The Most Controversial Film Ever Made, Now On Blu-ray For The First Time Ever And Featuring A Brand New Edit By Director Ruggero Deodato.

Director Ruggero Deodato’s Cannibal Holocaust remains one of the most shocking and controversial films of all time. Now, for the first time ever and in association with Shameless Screen Entertainment, Deodato has revisited...
See full article at DreadCentral.com
  • 8/20/2011
  • by Aaron Williams
  • DreadCentral.com
Where Everyone Has Gone Before #24: 'Cannibal Holocaust'
Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...
See full article at Moviefone
  • 1/1/2011
  • by Jacob Hall
  • Moviefone
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Where Everyone Has Gone Before #24: 'Cannibal Holocaust'
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...
See full article at Cinematical
  • 1/1/2011
  • by Jacob Hall
  • Cinematical
Where Everyone Has Gone Before #24: 'Cannibal Holocaust'
Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...
See full article at Moviefone
  • 12/31/2010
  • by Jacob Hall
  • Moviefone
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Where Everyone Has Gone Before #24: 'Cannibal Holocaust'
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...
See full article at Cinematical
  • 12/31/2010
  • by Jacob Hall
  • Cinematical
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