Dundee’s horror film festival is back with a vengeance and it looks set to be another treat for fans of the genre.
Launched by Dundee Contemporary Arts last April, Dundead was the brainchild of one of DCA’s Twitter followers, who suggested the arts centre consider holding a dedicated festival.
After a Facebook page set up to get other like-minded folk on board gathered a number of followers in just a day, the DCA’s head of cinema Alice Black realised they might be on to something.
Even the name of the festival came from a member of the public, when DCA put out a call to horror fans for suggestions.
This year, the festival -which opened with an exclusive preview of Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard’s highly-anticipated horror flick The Cabin in the Woods – has expanded to include an extra night, bringing the total to four.
This year’s line-up also sees previews of Indonesian martial arts film The Raid, which has already garnered enthusiastic reviews, and New York-set post-apocalyptic shocker The Divide, starring a cast of horror veterans.
On Sunday, there’s a chance to catch rarely-seen 1940s thriller Cat People, along with other cult classics.
On Saturday, there’s a screening of Terence Fisher’s 1958 version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula starring Christopher Lee in the legendary role.
Later there is an uncensored screening of Videodrome – one of David Cronenberg’s most original and provocative works. Dundead will present footage not seen in the original British cinema release.
Alice Black, Head of Cinema at DCA, said there was never any question that Dundead II would take place.
”Since the first Dundead we have had horror double bills all year long and it has really built up a kind of community.”
Alice said The Raid, directed by Welshman Gareth Evans, is a full-blown action film that has been getting a lot of buzz and DCA is one of the first venues in the UK to be screening it.
Horror fans can buy a festival pass for £50, giving them entry to all ten screenings as well as a special Dundead ”survival pack”.
dca.org.uk