"With Valentine’s Day imminent, Fangoria has decided our round of Valentine’s lists was just missing something. After all, we hoped our eclectic and eerie choices would help provide a gruesome alternative for any horror fan’s romantic evening. Perhaps, some of our readership may truly believe that romance is dead, and perhaps, that required some further convincing.
So FANGORIA reached out to Jen and Sylvia Soska, writers/directors of last year’s fan favorite AMERICAN MARY, and asked if they could add their twisted touch to the proceedings. Luckily, they obliged, offering us their top ten romantic horror films, guaranteed to warm even the deadest of hearts. So trust the twins and let these films become psychotic staples of your Valentine’s Day!"
HUGE news today, boys and grrls! TWO major nominations for two spectacular women from Fangoria today, Katharine Isabelle for Best Actress and Tristan Risk for Best Supporting Actress in American Mary!
Please vote as both these ladies deserve it in spades. And thank you so much to FANGORIA for nominating these ladies Vote HERE!! -Sylv
Right on, The ABCs of Death. This is such a brilliant idea. Congrats to the selected filmmakers - you talented sick fucks.
"Only one submission in the “Search for the 26th Director” competition could be selected for inclusion in the upcoming ABCs OF DEATH 2, so a compilation of the best of the runners-up is coming to VOD.
Drafthouse Films has announced that producers Ant Timpson and Tim League, in association with producer and competition organizer Ted Geoghegan, have selected 26 of the 541 entries for ABCs OF DEATH 2 (the winner was Robert Boocheck’s “M is for Masticate”), and combined them for ABCs OF DEATH 1.5. This omnibus will be available digitally early this year, and will also screen at select Alamo Drafthouse cinemas. “The production team had a real blast selecting the 26 shorts that make up ABCs OF DEATH 1.5,” says Timpson. “The hard part was only selecting 26, as the competition provided so many outstanding entries. We couldn’t be happier with the final lineup. There’s enough horror, humor, weirdness and, frankly, truly f**ked-up material to give even the most jaded fan a wakeup call from hell.”"
Great way to celebrate the American Mary VOD release today with an exclusive clip featuring Paula Lindberg with Katharine Isabelle getting a NSFW procedure. Please enjoy and check out the film today!
"The heroine of AMERICAN MARY practices all sorts of graphic surgery, including one showcased in a decidedly NSFW clip from the film (which debuts on VOD tomorrow) that you can see past the jump.
AMERICAN MARY, written and directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska, stars Katharine Isabelle as a struggling med student who finds a lucrative sideline in the underground realm of body modification, leading to all sorts of unpleasant developments. XLrator Releasing issues the movie on VOD tomorrow, May 16, and then opens it in theaters May 31. Look for interviews with the Soskas and Isabelle in Fango #325, on sale this month."
Sylvia Soska adds, “I think we’re really fucked up, though, because we never thought we were making horror movies; we just made disgusting, horrible things happen. People were like, ‘Oh, it’s a horror movie.’ ‘Oh, I guess if you eviscerate someone, that’s horror.’ ”
When it comes to their collaborative approach, Jen explains, “We dabble in everything, but we absolutely divide and conquer. With AMERICAN MARY, Syl focused more on our primary cast and our cinematography, and I did a lot of the effects and the prosthetic work as well.”
Sylvia adds, “Jen’s a real nerd and a stickler for detail, and I just go insane into the look and things like that. I honest to God don’t know how people do it when there’s only one director, because we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off half the time.”
The so-called “Twisted Twins” are a unique force in the horror genre, and Jen believes that carries over into AMERICAN MARY as well. “It’s unlike anything being made right now. Our goal was to create something very, very different. As long as there’s a reaction; indifference is the worst thing. Either love it or hate it, and I’ll be fucking thrilled.” “Ditto—she stole my answer!” Sylvia deadpans.
"Happily, not only is the considerably pricier
AMERICAN MARY an astonishing improvement on DEAD HOOKER in every respect, it’s
a quantum leap in another tonal direction; a gorgeously art-directed exercise
in psycho-sexual grand guignol full of strange characters, grotesque imagery
and bizarre, black-as-night humor. It’s a definitive body horror film, elegant,
disturbing but never oppressive and if nothing else, it’s the work of two
powerful, loud voices whose joy of moviemaking screams from every frame." ~ Chris Alexander,FANGORIA
There are names in this business that are synonymous with horror and you don't get much cooler, much more badass, more much with your fingers on the pulse, and much more legendary than FANGORIA. If you don't know FANGORIA, welcome out of your cave.
To be mentioned by this epic beast is a massive honor, but to have your film reviewed by Chris Alexander, Editor in Chief himself, leaves us speechless. Chris is one of the very few to receive an early look at our newest feature, AMERICAN MARY. Now if you haven't heard about MARY yet, again, welcome out of your cave, but for those of you joining class late today, here's what she is, beautifully stated by Chris...
"Katherine Isabelle (the GINGER SNAPS trilogy) stars as Mary,
a med student who is in dire need of extra scratch. In a desperate bid, she
applies for a job in a greasy strip club as a rub and tug masseuse and during
the “interview,” when revelations of her surgical intern status is revealed, is
called on to repair a screaming thug who had been roughed up a bit too much by
some club underlings. This quickie cash “meatball surgery” leads to an impromptu
appearance by Beatress (Tristan Risk), one of the club’s dancers, at Mary’s
apartment. Beatress has had her face grimly “revised” to resemble that of Betty
Boop, skin pulled tight, mouth pursed, skull implants re-shaping her face, and
after witnessing Mary’s “performance” asks if she would be willing—for a tidy
sum—to operate on her friend, another body modifier who wants her nipples
removed and vagina sewed shut so that she resembles a living Barbie doll. Mary
complies and her success and growing obsession lead her to becoming “Bloody
Mary,” one of the most in-demand underground body-tweaking surgeons in the
city."
As much as DHIAT was a "sit up and pay attention to us" film, AMERICAN MARY is a "now let us show you what we can do". She has made an early appearance at the wonderful FrightFest Film Fest in gore~geous London with a theater packed of horror fans and now she begins to peel back her own bandages and give the world a better look. There will be several film festivals across the globe where she'll be turning up and we truly hope that when she makes an unveiling near you, you'll be able to attend.
We'd like to thank Chris and FANGORIA for not only taking the time to review AMERICAN MARY, but for being the voice of horror.
Also, Chris' birthday is tomorrow. Happy fucking birthday, you badass, you.
For those of you who might be unaware of the fucking epically rad, horror nerd's wet dream of a zine, allow me to be that cool guy that introduces you to Fangoria Magazine!!!
"Fangoria is an internationally-distributed US film fan magazine specializing in the genres of horror, slasher, splatter and exploitation films, in regular publication since 1979."
I have loved this publication for years and I am so fucking touched to be given the enormous honour of having myself, my evil twin, and my flick grace its pages. Fangoria issue #311 features information on the DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK IFC Midnight DVD release - this January 31st, 2012 - and in this lovely article.
"FURIOUS FEMMES The Soska Sisters speak up about “Dead Hooker in a Trunk” and “American Mary.”
Awwwww!!!!! Fucking totally fucking awesome news today! Thank you to my buddies who let me know about the issue and for the folks in the horror community that have been standing strong beside us and our insanity this whole time. We love you, boys and girls. Please enjoy the release of DEAD HOOKER and promise that AMERICAN MARY will be everything you want and more!
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Founded in 1976, the TIFF is now one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. In 1998, Variety magazine acknowledged that "the Festival is second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile pics, stars and market activity." In 2007, Time noted that the festival had "grown from its place as the most influential fall film festival to the most influential film festival, period." This is partially the result of the festival's reputation and ability to generate "Oscar-buzz".
Further, many Hollywood studios premiere their films at TIFF due to the festival's easy-going non-competitive nature, relatively inexpensive costs (when compared to European festivals), eager film-fluent audiences and convenient timing. Notable films to have had their world or North American premiere at TIFF include Chariots of Fire, The Big Chill, Husbands and Wives, Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould, Downfall, Sideways, and Crash.
In recent years, films such as American Beauty, Ray, The Wrestler, Antichrist, Up In The Air, 127 Hours, Black Swan, and I Am Love premiered at the festival, garnering much favourable attention and press. Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Ray Charles ultimately won him the Academy Award for Best Actor while Slumdog Millionaire went on to win eight Oscars at the 2009 Academy Awards. Precious, which won the 2009 People's Choice Award at the festival, went on to win two Oscars at the 82nd Academy Awards while The King's Speech, the winner of the 2010 People's Choice Award at the festival, won four Oscars at the 83rd Academy Awards.
The 36th Toronto International Film Festival occured this year from September 8th to September 18th.
We arrived on the 14th, and on the 15th we were on The Ghost Show. Now, I'm not sure if you know the show, if not allow me to be the one to introduce you to one of my favorite horror personalities on the scene today. With horrorific puns like 'fangtastic' and the ever important 'howl are you?' with horror host is a throw back to the classic horror shows of yesterday where the people who truly loved the genre were the ones hosting everything good and so bad it's good from the genre.
Our segment was shot at the Toronto Underground Cinema which is like walking into a holy place of all things awesome in cinema. The posters that cover the walls, the utter fucking coolness of the staff, and the joint puts on some of the best screenings ever. The night of the 14th they were giving the director's cut of MIMIC its Canadian Premiere with Guillermo del Toro in attendance. Huge thanks to Charlie Lawton who let us film in the epic venue and gave me the thrill of a lifetime - our first viewing of the AMERICAN MARY teaser on the big screen. More details to come along with the Ghost Show - I hope that you dig it!
The next day had us sitting across from two people we have a huge amount of respect for as they are total badasses in their fields. It was a sushi lunch with Jovanka Vuckovic and Todd Brown. It was also the coolest four hours of my life. For those of you that might not know - seriously for shame - allow me to introduce you to these fine folks.
Todd Brown lives and breathes film. He's the founder and editor of Twitch - www.twitchfilm.com - and what Twitch specializes is spreading the news about strange and interesting flicks from around the world. He also a festival programmer for Fantastic Fest, Fantasia Fest, and Canadian Music week, which means two things: He knows his films and he works 24/7. Naturally, he has some of the best film stories ever.
Jovanka Vuckovic is who I like to refer to as the Canadian First Lady of Horror as she is the former editor in chief of Rue-Morgue who knocked it out of the park and brought the zine to its golden age. If you keep up on horror, you've seen her breaking the stigmas of what makes a horror fan and what it is to be a woman working in the industry educating the ignorant with her encyclopedic knowledge of the genre. Get fully caught up here with our Women In Horror article on the femme fatale.
I'm not going to lie, we had a stupid grin painted on our faces all day long afterwards. There are people who you admire because of everything they've done and you never know what it will be like to actually meet them. My expectations were high and they exceeded every one of them.
Now, I'm not sure if you're up to date on all our crazy ambitious projects, here's one we're especially excited about - EAT YOUR HEART OUT, our zombie musical which is a collaboration with Kaleena Goldsworthy of the fucking fantastic The Scarlet Ending. The following morning, Kaleena and her sceamo beau, Ted - he screams like an angel - came up for breakfast, catching up, and plans of zombie survival. The musical is set to star the Scarlets and Ted in an epic opera that takes place though zombie apocalypse. Tunes by Kaleena, story by the Twisted Twins and it is coming along bloody brilliantly.
If you haven't heard about The Scarlet Ending before, watch this beautiful video by CJ Wallis that we worked on last year. You'll also be catching them on the AMERICAN MARY soundtrack. These girls and guys have talent and heart that are peered by very few. Fall in love now, because they will be huge. New videos coming soon!
Later that day, we met with the sensational Lianne Spiderbaby. Writer for Fangoria and Fright Bytes and author of the upcoming GRINDHOUSE GIRLS: CINEMA'S HARDEST WORKING WOMEN which highlights the beloved actresses of exploitation and horror. From what I heard, you really want to fucking read it - down and dirty pictures to the extreme. She was just amazing, professional, well versed, and a pleasure to get to chat with. Coming soon with be our talk about HOOKER, MARY, and the state of horror today.
I want to move into this comic book shop/heaven but there's no rest for the wicked, so a quick grope of Iron Man and we were on our way. Had a motherfucking blast and met some people that I know will remain close friends for years to come.
We now get back to all things AMERICAN MARY. It's been almost a year since we shot and revealed the teaser trailer. A first look is scheduled for mid-November and I think this December 11th - our company's anniversary - there will be a trailer worth all the wait. Thank you for the support, thank you to everyone who saw us in Toronto and came over to say hi, you guys are the people who have made our wildest dreams come true and we can never thank you enough. Promise that we will work very hard to keep you entertained with all sorts of cinematic insanity!
It's the day after the kick off of 2011's WOMEN IN HORROR recognition month! It commenced celebrations across the world, recognizing and paying tribute to the amazing accomplishments of women.
We began our celebrations with a very special PSA for our WiH MASSIVE BLOOD DRIVE that had very special guest appearances by very special women in horror. One special appearance was that of the actress who will be taking the title role in our upcoming film, AMERICAN MARY. That actress is none other than the sensational Katharine Isabelle. You can check out the PSA (if you're one of the few that has yet to!) below.
To say the least, this news has peaked interest and further speculation on what more secrets are to be revealed for AMERICAN MARY.
We LOVE Fangoria. If you don't know Fangoria, I really don't know what to tell you. Google it. Spend your day in the archives. It's chalk full of wicked awesome. Start HERE and read up.
"How do you follow up Dead Hooker In A Trunk? With American Mary."~Fangoria We have been absolutely blown away by the response to the release of the first look at AMERICAN MARY. It is an incredible honor to have the film talked about on the big, badass phenomenon that is Fangoria. Check out the FULL ARTICLE here. It is radcore.
Stay tuned for more on the elusive Mary, boys and grrls...
It has been a long, wonderful journey that we embarked on from the very first day that we stringed together the words "Dead Hooker In A Trunk". The amount of support we've received from fans, reviewers, horror writers, bloggers, sites, and new friends has been absolutely overwhelming. The new trailer has now been shared by the some of the top horror sites, blogs, and reviewers in the biz and we humbly thank you all for making this possible.
A very special thanks to the following sites! Check 'em out and see what they're saying about Dead Hooker In A Trunk!!
It's been said before, but we really want to thank you all from the bottom of our twisted little hearts. An indie film like ours depends so much on the support of sites, fans, reviewers, and especially word of mouth. To anyone who has taken the time to share our trailer, tell a friend, or spread the word, thank you. We appreciate you all more than you'll ever know.
