Ep 41. Is 2019 SXSW Best Fest for Horror?
- March 7, 2019
In this episode of IMDbrief, host Tim Kash and horror expert Brian Collins explore the horror selections at the 2019 South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival. The episode begins with a brief history of SXSW and its impact on the film industry. The conversation then moves onto the diverse offerings of this year's horror lineup, which includes films from around the world and a range of genres within the horror umbrella.
Kash and Collins discuss some of the standout films from the festival, including the Australian horror-comedy "Little Monsters," the stylish thriller "Bliss," and the occult horror "The Lodge." They also touch on some of the notable short films, such as "Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich," and the immersive VR experiences that were showcased at SXSW.
As they delve deeper into each film, Kash and Collins provide candid reviews and insights, drawing from their own experience in the horror genre. They also offer their thoughts on the current state of horror, in terms of trends and themes that are prevalent in the genre. For example, they note that many of the films at SXSW dealt with themes of trauma or mental illness, and they explore the effectiveness of these approaches.
The episode wraps up with a discussion of whether or not SXSW is the best festival for horror. While both Kash and Collins agree that the festival has a lot to offer the horror community, they also acknowledge that there are other festivals that are equally important, such as the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. Nonetheless, they both agree that SXSW is a great platform for new and emerging voices in horror, and a festival that should be on any horror fan's radar.