Get the family together and start making plans for a road trip to Austin — the influential genre-embracing Fantastic Fest has announced its final wave of feature films, and the world premiere of “The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence” has been selected as the opening night film.
The first “Human Centipede” — engrossing for some, just plain gross for others — premiered at the Texas event in 2009, winning awards for Best Horror Film and Best Actor (Dieter Laser). Director Tom Six and producer Ilona Six will attend to talk about the film in what’s sure to be an animated discussion. But the gross-out fun won’t stop there — the opening night party will include live music from The Charles Edward Cheese Band and an attempt to break the world record for the longest human centipede conga line.
The fest will close with the U.S. premiere of “Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope,” directed by Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me”), which will be presented by Aint It Cool’s Harry Knowles, Marvel legend Stan Lee and “Avengers” director Joss Whedon. The documentary follows five fans as they explore the insane geekery of Comic-Con.
French thriller “Livid,” the latest from the directors of “Inside,” will also be making its U.S. premiere at the event. “Dead Snow” director Syversen Patrik returns with “You Said What?” He’ll be on hand for a Q&A after the screening. The director and stars of “The Chaser” reunite for “The Yellow Sea,” getting its regional premiere at Fantastic Fest. Then there’s the regional premiere of Brazilian actioner “Elite Squad: The Enemy Within,” from director Jose Padillha. He’s signed on to helm the upcoming “RoboCop” remake.
Two world premieres speak for themselves: “Manborg” and “Zombie Ass.”
Among the festival’s other U.S. premieres are “A Boy and his Samurai,” “Bunohan,” “Carre Blanc” (with director Jean-Baptiste Léonetti on hand), “The Day” (with producer Guy Danella and actor Dominic Monaghan live), Cuban zombie film “Juan of the Dead” (director Alejandro Brugues and producer Gervasio Iglesias Macias will attend), horror film “Last Screening,” “Retreat,” “Sleepless Night,” “Smuggler,” “Two Eyes Staring” and “Urban Explorer.”
Special screenings include John Landis’ classic 1981 horror-comedy “An American Werewolf in London,” with iconic makeup effects master Rick Baker and poster artist Olly Moss attending the screening.
Other films being screened include “Clown,” “The Devil’s Business,” “The Holding,” the 3D “Julia X” (with Kevin Sorbo!), “Karate Robo Zaborgar,” “The Loved Ones,” “Polvora Negra,” “Rabies,” “Sennentuntschi: Curse of the Alps,” “How to Steal 2 Milion” and “Take Shelter.”
Previously announced films include Lars Von Trier’s controversial “Melancholia,” Lucio Fulci’s cult classic “Zombie,” a tenth anniversary screening of the Japanese film “Versus,” documentary “Movies on Fire: Hong Kong Action Classics,” and dozens of short films.
This year’s fest runs September 22 – 29 at the city’s famed Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
Get more information at the festival’s site here.