Sideworld Docs Explore Forgotten Paranormal and Folk Lore

“When the line between fact and fiction is enshrouded in mist and shadow, beyond that threshold is a place that can change our perspective on everything we think we know. I call this place…the Sideworld.” 

Rubicon Films and director George Popov are no strangers to the spookier side of filmmaking. They’ve released feature films such as Hex, a historical horror, and The Droving, a mystery thriller. In 2022, they ventured into new, yet familiar, territory with documentaries under their Sideworld banner that explore real-life paranormal encounters, haunted locations, ghost stories, and folklore.

Sideworld’s mission aims to bring lesser-known paranormal encounters and forgotten folklore to light with style and substance, breathing new life into the genre. We’re talking about everything from demon dogs, ghost ships, sea monsters, haunted villages, cryptids, and aliens. 

The Sideworld journey is just beginning, though. Rubicon has a dozen documentaries planned for the next couple of years. But so far, they have three out, and they’ve all been met with good reviews. Let’s check them out.

The Sideworld Documentaries (so far)

Haunted Forests of England

This documentary explores three of England’s most haunted forests.

Terrors of the Sea

As you might imagine, this one examines sea-based folk horror, including ghost ships, sea monsters, and vengeful mermaids.

Damnation Village

England has no shortage of haunted villages, including Pluckley, which, in a 1989 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records, was named the Most Haunted Village in Britain. (A designation Guinness no longer makes since Pluckley, or any other haunted place, doesn’t meet the parameters necessary to claim such a record.)

Anyway, I’m not sure if Pluckley is examined as one of England’s three most haunted villages or not, but that’s what Damnation Village explores.

Where to Watch Sideworld Documentaries

All three are free to watch on Tubi or The Roku Channel.

They’re also available to rent or buy on Prime Video. Get Haunted Forests of England on Prime Video here: https://amzn.to/3PGokp5, Terrors of the Sea here: https://amzn.to/3FWwXss, and Damnation Village here: https://amzn.to/3iZPk6E.

For More Info

Visit https://www.rubiconfilms.co.uk.

Check-In

Which Sideworld documentary would you watch first?

Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.

Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.