A WEEKLY FILM NEWSLETTER PROMOTING ARTHOUSE, REPERTORY, ART, SHORT FORM AND EXPERIMENTAL CINEMA SCREENING IN THE CITY OF MELBOURNE

26 Oct 2023

Halloween Special

The Melbourne Horror Film Society

Words by Jessica Seychell

Whilst the conversation didn’t take place over a simmering cauldron or a fire ready for sacrifice, talking with David Lorensene from the Melbourne Horror Film Society (MHFS) did manage to cover all things spooky. A space, tucked into the corner of Melbourne’s inner north, where you may come for the screams but stay for a pint and “wholesome discussion”, MHFS is only growing in its 13th year running. The Society's "Blood Ritual" screenings on the final Saturday of each month, which play alongside their usual monthly Tuesday screening, invite you to feast on all the blood-splattering B-Grade gore you can put on your plate.

Chatting with club director David, I genuinely felt like I was just reminiscing over my favourite films with a friend. At no point did the conversation lull as I could feel his enthusiasm for films as if we were sitting across from each other. David, who first started out attending screenings in 2011, now runs the club with treasurer Mel Begg.  His obsession with horror started from a book on monsters and “seeing films on TV [he] shouldn’t have seen” at a young age. Growing up with the seminal Jaws (1975, Steven Spielberg), Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchcock) and Halloween (1978, John Carpenter), his obsession with horror began to run on its own legs. As soon as his “mum and dad got a video player everything was sealed into stone. [He] was at a video store every Friday night borrowing horror films” to binge over the weekend. Alas, “none of [his friends] were as obsessed as him” and the desire to “show people things who will hopefully get the same enjoyment out of it as [he does]” blossomed. Given he met his current girlfriend of six years through Mel and the MHFS, it’s safe to say he has found his people.

The club itself feels like a family. My first 'Blood Ritual' visit for Dario Argento's Phenomena (1985) was like walking into a movie scene itself. Running on old school projectors and DVD players, David and Mel relished in introducing the film. David eagerly describes how Mel is fantastic and that bringing her on board was one of the best things the club has ever done. For them, this isn’t just a special interest, it is a “huge part of [their] lives', warranting David’s 1000+ alphabetised film collection of screening research and materials. When they host a film night, they take genuine pride in introducing the film and hosting discussions post viewing, loving “to talk about what it means to [them]”. David does not fail to emphasise for a second that this club is strictly personal and he enjoys every second of it.

The community at the Phenomena night were clearly regulars, having fallen into the rhythm of viewing these types of films together. Though David and Mel’s dedication to both the society and the horror genre is evident, David whittles it down to luck. “We are very lucky with our members” he grins, “we have genuinely nice people and have never had any instances where that hasn’t been the case”. He chuckled warmly when describing MHFS as “wholesome”, citing the dichotomy between their kind, welcoming souls and the gruesome terror the society puts on screen. He says at times it can be daunting approaching the ever-growing crowds. Forty-two people were squeezed into the Friday the 13th Part Six (1986, Tom McLoughlin) screening, whilst all seats being taken and people having to sit on the floor has a charm to it, it never seems to astound him how much people relish in horror as much as he does. The culture of the community is never overlooked. We bonded over our shared experiences of being the “weird” horror obsessed friend, and how we now savour judgement free spaces like this. The month of Halloween is a particularly prestigious month in the horror film circuit. As David describes it as “being the only time of the year [where] horror is taken seriously”, it’s safe to say he too has felt the judgement of loving horror films.

The subversive genre however has taken an interesting turn, especially in Australia. This year alone the Australian film Talk to Me (2022, Danny and Michael Philippou) has pulled in a whopping 89.5 million USD at box office – a success by any metric for an Australian produced film. And while this isn’t the standard across all Australian content, the developing trend of New Australian Horror seems to be getting the green light from funding bodies as of late. Sisi (2022, Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes), Run Rabbit Run (2023, Daina Reid) and the highly anticipated The Royal Hotel (2023, Kitty Green) are just some of the recent films getting government funding. David believes this is no coincidence and this generation of filmmakers may be the ones to break the glass ceiling of genre films in Australian film production. As the filmmakers who grew up with horror films at their fingertips with the development of DVDs, it’s no wonder that as that generation’s careers trajected horror films into the scene. He also pins it down directly to the special features on them which used to have a “this is how it’s made section”. This particularly struck a nerve with me, because a fundamental component of me both overcoming my fear of horror films as well as developing my appreciation for them is due to the behind-the-scenes series that ran alongside every Saw film release. Whilst these DVD features are becoming rarer as streaming monopolises audience viewing, it’s communities like the MHFS that keep the buzz alive and promote the discussion and respect for the genre.

The build-up to Halloween is truly where I feel the community is at its strongest, and the excitement only ramps up as the 31st gets closer. This year’s Spooktober programme depicts the collective experience of “films you saw too early as a child”. With The Cabin in the Woods (2011, Drew Goddard) as a strong start, followed by the irreverently chosen Buffy – Once More with Feeling (2001, Joss Whedon) showing, the Spooktober season concludes with the eeriest selection yet – Trilogy of Terror (1975, Dan Curtis). Screening on the 26th of October at True North in Coburg, this Halloween week is the night where the MHFS truly rises. However, the club's ever-growing presence in the Melbourne independent film scene does not stop on Halloween. With the programme for the coming year already filled with new premieres and directions for the club, there truly will be something for everyone, so buckle your seatbelts, it's going to be a scary ride.

Melbourne Horror Film Society

Screenings on the last Tuesday of every month.

Memberships are required to attend MHFS screenings and are available to purchase on the night. Mini memberships give you access to 3 screenings for $15 / Full memberships give you access to 12 screenings for $50. Visit the MHFS site for more details.

WEBSITE: kinotopia.com.au

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TWITTER: Kinotopia.Oz

WEEKLY FILM LISTINGS

September Oct 26 - November 02

ACMI

Under Cover

Sue Thomon & Adam Farrington-WIlliams, 2022

Themroc + Live re-score by David Thrussell

Claude Faraldo, 1973

Screening / Performance on Thurs 26 Oct

The Last Daughter

Brenda Matthews & Nathaniel Schmidt

Matinee screenings Fri, Sat, Sun

Foe

Garth Davies, 2023

Free screening Mon 30 Oct

Focus on Todd Haynes

Velvet Goldmine

Todd Haynes, 1998

Screening Sat 28 Oct

Poison

Todd Haynes, 1991

Screening Sun 29 Oct

ACMI + MIFF Encore Screenings

You’ll Never Find Me

Indianna Bell & Josiah Allen, 2023

Screening Fri Oct 27

ARTIST FILM WORKSHOP

The Films of Hanna Chetwin

Salt (2018) 15 mins

Soda (2017) 7 mins

Southern Climes (2018) 12 mins

Growing (2020) 10 mins

Inside Outside (2023) 8 mins

Opaquing (2019) 12 mins

Screening Tues 31 Oct a the Brunswick Green from 8pm

ASTOR CINEMA

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

Sam Wrench, 2023

Screening almost daily

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese, 2023

Screening almost daily

The Strange Way of Life

Pedro Almodovar, 2023

One night only screening Sat 28 Oct

Astor Spooktacular

The Carpenter-Thon

Christine

Halloween

They Live

The Fog

Escape from New York

Prince of Darkness

In the Mouth of Madness
Screening all night on Sat 18 Oct from 8pm

The Others
Alejandro Amenábar, 2001

Screening Mon 30

The Exorcist

William Friedkin, 1973

screening Tues 31 Oct

Greek Film Festival

Two Tickets to Greece

Marc Fitousssi, 2022

Screening Sun 29 Oct

BBBC CINEMA (GALLERYGALLERY BRUNSWICK)

Closed until summer

THE CAPITOL

No Screenings this Week

CHINATOWN CINEMA

Under the Light

Yi-Mou Zhang, 2023

Screening Daily

The Creator

Gareth Edwards, 2023

Screening Daily

CINÉ-CLUB (Carlton)

The Scary of Sixty-First

Dasha Nekrasova, 2020

+

The Invisible Man

Leigh Whannell, 2020

CINEMANIACS (ACMI)

The Exorcist

William Friedkin, 1973

Screening Sat 28 Oct

CINEMA NOVA

Monster Fest

See Program Here

Previews

The Others
Alejandro Amenábar, 2001

Screening from Thurs - Tues

The Edge of Nature

Joshs Fox, 2023

Screening Wed 1 Nov

General Release

The Killer

David Fincher, 2023

Screening Daily

Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party

Ian White, 2023

Screening Daily

Monolith

James Vinson, 2023

Screening Daily

Mercy Road

John Curran, 2023

Sceening Daily

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese, 2023

Screening Daily

Rotting in the Sun

Sebastián Silva, 2023

Screening Daily

Disconnect Me

Alex Lykos, 2023

Screening Daily

The Origin of Evil

Sébastien Marnier, 2022

Screening Daily

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

Sam Wrench, 2023

Screening Fri, Sat, Sun

Lie with Me

Olivier Peyon, 2023

Screening Daily

The Crime is Mine

Francois Ozon, 2023

Screening Daily

Sick of Myself
Kristoffer Borgli, 2022
Screening Daily

Shayda

Noora Niasari, 2023

Screening Daily

Past Lives

Celine Song, 2023

Screening Daily

A Haunting In Venice
Kenneth Branagh, 2023
Screening Daily

Theater Camp
Molly Gordon & Nick Lieberman, 2023
Screening Daily

Asteroid City
Wes Anderson, 2023
Screening Daily

Talk To Me
Danny and Michael Philippou, 2023
Screening Daily

Barbie
Greta Gerwig, 2023
Screening Daily

Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan, 2023
Screening Daily

DOGMILK DEGUSTATIONS: @ Miscellenia

Stay tuned for details on Season 3.

FRENCH FILM CLUB

Acéphale

Patrick Deval, 1969

Screening Thurs 26 Oct in the Arts West Cinema Space (room 353)

GAY24

Psykho III: The Musical

Mark Oates & Tom Rubnitz, 1985

+

Trannysnatchers

Caedmonster, Nicholas Boxwell & James Gottleber, 2023

Screening Tues 31 Oct at Flippy’s (Brunswick)

HITLIST (9 Gertrude St, Fitzroy)

No screening this week

LIDO / CLASSIC / CAMEO

Jewish Film Festival

See Program Here

The Killer

David Fincher, 2023

Screening Daily

Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party

Ian White, 2023

Screening Daily

Monolith

James Vinson, 2023

Screening Daily

Mercy Road

John Curran, 2023

Sceening Daily

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese, 2023

Screening Daily

Rotting in the Sun

Sebastián Silva, 2023

Screening Daily

The Origin of Evil

Sébastien Marnier, 2022

Screening Daily

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

Sam Wrench, 2023

Screening Fri, Sat, Sun

The Crime is Mine

Francois Ozon, 2023

Screening Daily

Sick of Myself
Kristoffer Borgli, 2022
Screening Daily

Shayda

Noora Niasari, 2023

Screening Daily

The Creator

Gareth Edwards, 2023

Screening Daily

A Haunting In Venice
Kenneth Branagh, 2023
Screening Daily

Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story
Paul Goldman, 2023
Screening Daily

Past Lives
Celine Song, 2023
Screening Daily

Blackberry
Matthew Johnson, 2023
Screening Daily

Asteroid City
Wes Anderson, 2023
Screening Daily

Talk To Me
Danny and Michael Philippou, 2023
Screening Daily

Barbie
Greta Gerwig, 2023
Screening Daily

Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan, 2023
Screening Daily

THE MELBOURNE CINÉMATHÈQUE (ACMI)

A Rainha Diaba

Antonia Carlos de Fontoura, 1974
Screening Wednesday 1 Nov 7pm
+
Macunaíma
Joaquim Pedro de Andrade, 1969
Screening starts at 9:05pm

MELBOURNE HORROR FILM SOCIETY

Trilogy of Horror

Dan Curtis, 1975

Screening on the 26th of October at True North in Coburg

MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY: SCREENING IDEAS

No screening this week

PALACE BALWYN / BRIGHTON / COMO / KINO / PENTRIDGE / WESTGARTH

THE 2023 St ALI ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL
Program Here

GREEK FILM FESTIVAL

See Program Here

The Strange Way of Life

Pedro Almodovar, 2023

One night only screening Sat 28 Oct

The Killer

David Fincher, 2023

Screening Daily

Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party

Ian White, 2023

Screening Daily

Monolith

James Vinson, 2023

Screening Daily

Mercy Road

John Curran, 2023

Screening Daily

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese, 2023

Screening Daily

The Origin of Evil

Sébastien Marnier, 2022

Screening Daily

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

Sam Wrench, 2023

Screening Fri, Sat, Sun

The Crime is Mine

Francois Ozon, 2023

Screening Daily

Shayda

Noora Niasari, 2023

Screening Daily

The Creator

Gareth Edwards, 2023

Screening Daily

A Haunting In Venice
Kenneth Branagh, 2023
Screening Daily

Barbie

Greta Gerwig, 2023

Screening Daily

Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story

Paul Goldman, 2023

Screening Daily

Talk To Me
Danny and Michael Philippou, 2023
Screening Daily

Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan, 2023
Screening Daily

STATIC VISION

Videophobia + Q&A with director Daisuke Miyazaki

Daisuke Miyazaki, 2019

Screening Thurs 26 Oct at SV’s Secret Brunswick West location. Tix here.

SUN CINEMAS YARRAVILLE

The Killer

David Fincher, 2023

Screening Daily

Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party

Ian White, 2023

Screening Daily

Mercy Road

John Curran, 2023

Sceening Daily

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese, 2023

Screening Daily

The Origin of Evil

Sébastien Marnier, 2022

Screening Daily

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

Sam Wrench, 2023

Screening Fri, Sat, Sun

Lie with Me

Olivier Peyon, 2023

Screening Daily

The Crime is Mine

Francois Ozon, 2023

Screening Daily

Shayda

Noora Niasari, 2023

Screening Daily

The Creator

Gareth Edwards, 2023

Screening Daily

A Haunting In Venice
Kenneth Branagh, 2023
Screening Daily

Theater Camp
Molly Gordon & Nick Lieberman, 2023
Screening Daily

The Nun II
Michael Chaves, 2023
Screening Daily

Ego: The Michael Gundinski Story

Paul Goldman, 2023

Screening Daily

Past Lives

Celine Song, 2023

Screening Daily

THORNBURY PICTURE HOUSE

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese, 2023

Screening almost daily

Babylon

Damien Chazelle, 2022

Screening Thurs 26 Oct

The Killer

David Fincher, 2023

Screening Fri, Sun Wed

The Eighty Six Festival

Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party

Ian White, 2023

Screening Sat 28 Oct

Summer of Soul

Questlove, 2021

Screening Sat 28 Oct

American Uptopia

Spike Lee, 2021

Screening Sat 28 Oct

The Holy Mountain

Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1973

Screening Sat 28 Oct

Gimme Shelter

Albert and David Maysles & Charlotte Zwerin

Screening Sat 28 Oct

UNKNOWN PLEASURES (BILL MOUSOULIS + CHRIS LUSCRI)

No screening this week