Strange quests, an eerie presence, and a catfishing sociopath are among the horror, mystery, and thriller features premiering at the Slamdance Film Festival this year. Not to be confused with Sundance, which is happening around the same time and in the same place (Park City, Utah).
While both are film festivals that seek to elevate independent filmmakers, Slamdance also seeks to “showcase the unfiltered voice of independent artists,” as well as discover and nurture diverse, international creators. It runs in person from January 20-26, 2023, and will then be online on the Slamdance Channel from January 23-29. (Sundance takes place for 10 days this year, from January 19-29.)
There are dozens of features, documentaries, and shorts entered in this year’s Slamdance Film Festival. However, five, in particular, were brought to my attention, including two Breakouts, The Underbug and Where Is the Lie?. Let’s take a closer look.
The Girl Who Was Cursed
(The Netherlands) North American Premiere
Director: Zara Dwinger; Screenwriter: Zara Dwinger; Producers: Layla Meijman & Maarten van der Ven
Storyline: Stoner girl Gizem spends most of her day smoking weed on the couch while spying on her neighbors through binoculars. When the quirky boy across the street disappears, she has to get out of her comfortable cloud of smoke to find out where he is. She gets caught up in a strange quest.
Cast: Sinem Kavuz, Victor Ijdens, Frieda Barnhard, Ilker Delikaya
New Religion
(Japan) North American Premiere
Director: Keishi Kondo; Screenwriter: Keishi Kondo; Producer: Keishi Kondo
Storyline: Miyabi lost her only daughter in an accident. One day, she meets a strange man. The man demands that she let him take a picture of her spine.
Cast: Kaho Seto, Ryuseigun Saionji, Satoshi Oka
The Underbug
(India) World Premiere
Director: Shujaat Saudagar; Screenwriters: Shujaat Saudagar, Abas Dalal, Hussain Dalal; Producers: Vikesh Bhutani, Shujaat Saudagar, Aman Mann
Storyline: As India is ravaged by sectarian violence on the eve of its Independence Day, two rioters take refuge in an abandoned house. An eerie presence in the house, however, haunts the men to the edge of sanity.
Cast: Ali Fazal, Hussain Dalal, Areenah fatima
Fuzzy Head
(United States) U.S. Premiere
Director: Wendy McColm; Screenwriter: Wendy McColm; Producers: Rhianon Jones, Frank Oz, Santiago Cervantes, Cooper Oznowicz
Storyline: Insomnia-ridden Marla is on the run after the murder of her mother. Now, Marla must confront her everlasting void to find out the truth of what really happened and at last, undo all that’s been done.
Cast: Alicia Witt, Wendy McColm, Jonathan Tolliver, Numa Perrier, Fred Melamed, Cassidy Butler, Richard Riehle, and Rain Phoenix
Where is the Lie?
(Philippines) World Premiere
Director: Quark Henares; Screenwriters: Quark Henares, John Bedia; Producers: Armi Rae Cacanindin, Pauline Zamora, Bianca Balbuena-Liew, Ian Monsod
Storyline: Hopeless romantic Janzen Torres finds another chance at love when she matches with the handsome and seemingly perfect Theo Balmaceda on a dating app. Unfortunately, on the day of their meet-up, Theo ghosts her, leading Janzen into an intricate web of deceit, lies, and catfishing led by sociopathic mastermind Beanie Landridos.
Cast: Maris Racal, EJ Jallorina, Royce Cabrera
For More Info
To learn more about the Slamdance Film Festival, visit https://slamdance.com.
To watch the Slamdance Channel, visit https://slamdancechannel.com.
Check-In
Which of the above piques your interest?
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.
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“Take a picture of her spine”?! How creepy for a stranger to ask that! Makes me want to see New Religion!
Good eyes, Priscilla! That one was a head-scratcher when I read it. A very unsettling request for sure! And you’re right, compelling storyline to see what in the world it’s all about!