Dear readers, before I can move forward with my review of We Are Zombies, it’s only right that I inform you that I will be very biased in my assessment of this movie. First off, I’m a big fan of the works from filmmaking trio Rkss, and their debut feature Turbo Kid is one of my all-time favorites. Secondly, I went to college with some of the cast (though I won’t reveal who) and have seen them grow from background to principal characters. Finally, the film was shot around my home city of Montreal and I can pinpoint exactly where many scenes took place.
But I am not alone in my love for both Rkss and We Are Zombies. Its world premiere was chosen to be the closing film for this year’s Fantasia Film Festival. Before it even screened to a sold-out room, there was a...
But I am not alone in my love for both Rkss and We Are Zombies. Its world premiere was chosen to be the closing film for this year’s Fantasia Film Festival. Before it even screened to a sold-out room, there was a...
- 8/18/2023
- by Chris Aitkens
The 27th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival is set to run from from July 20th through August 9th at the Concordia Hall Cinema in Montreal, with additional screens at the Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma du Musée. In May, they announced the first wave of titles that will be showing at this year’s festival. Last month, the second wave was announced. Now, the titles that make up the third and final wave have been unveiled – and along with that comes the announcement that Nicolas Cage will be receiving the Cheval Noir Career Achievement Award at this year’s show!
The Fantasia International Film Festival has chosen to honor Nicolas Cage this year because he “has brought a wide variety of unforgettable people to life in works that are as memorable as the characters he portrayed, with textured performances that have been among the most exciting and unique from...
The Fantasia International Film Festival has chosen to honor Nicolas Cage this year because he “has brought a wide variety of unforgettable people to life in works that are as memorable as the characters he portrayed, with textured performances that have been among the most exciting and unique from...
- 7/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The 27th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival is set to commence from July 20 through August 9, 2023, taking place at the Concordia Hall Cinema, with additional screens at the Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma du Musée.
After two packed waves of programming, the festival unveils its third wave of programming this morning, bringing exciting world premieres and the announcement of Nicolas Cage as this year’s Cheval Noir Career Achievement Award recipient.
From the press release:
We Are Zombies
The 27th edition of the festival will end on an especially riotous note with the World Premiere of We Are Zombies, the latest from internationally beloved Quebecois cult collective Rkss (Summer Of ’84) – François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell. Based on the comic Les Zombies Qui Ont MANGÉ Le Monde (The Zombies that Ate the World), the film is set in a society where zombies, referred to as “living-impaired,” roam among us...
After two packed waves of programming, the festival unveils its third wave of programming this morning, bringing exciting world premieres and the announcement of Nicolas Cage as this year’s Cheval Noir Career Achievement Award recipient.
From the press release:
We Are Zombies
The 27th edition of the festival will end on an especially riotous note with the World Premiere of We Are Zombies, the latest from internationally beloved Quebecois cult collective Rkss (Summer Of ’84) – François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell. Based on the comic Les Zombies Qui Ont MANGÉ Le Monde (The Zombies that Ate the World), the film is set in a society where zombies, referred to as “living-impaired,” roam among us...
- 7/6/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Nicolas Cage will be the featured guest at Quebec’s Fantasia International Film Festival, where he will receive the festival’s Cheval Noir Career Achievement Award.
On the night, Cage will also present his latest pic, Sympathy for the Devil. Written by Luke Paradise, the pic follows “The Driver” (Joel Kinnaman), who finds himself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse after being forced to drive a mysterious man, “The Passenger” (Cage). As their white-knuckle ride progresses, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems.
Deadline previously shared an exclusive first look at the pic here.
Announcing Cage’s honor, the festival said the actor was a “remarkable performer responsible for bringing life to some of the most fascinating people to grace the big screen in some of the most extraordinary films ever made.”
Cage’s career spans four decades and features projects of various scales and...
On the night, Cage will also present his latest pic, Sympathy for the Devil. Written by Luke Paradise, the pic follows “The Driver” (Joel Kinnaman), who finds himself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse after being forced to drive a mysterious man, “The Passenger” (Cage). As their white-knuckle ride progresses, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems.
Deadline previously shared an exclusive first look at the pic here.
Announcing Cage’s honor, the festival said the actor was a “remarkable performer responsible for bringing life to some of the most fascinating people to grace the big screen in some of the most extraordinary films ever made.”
Cage’s career spans four decades and features projects of various scales and...
- 7/6/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Turbo Kid’s’ Canadian Filmmaking Trio to Direct ‘We Are Zombies;’ Kinology Boards Sales (Exclusive)
The up-and-coming Canadian filmmaking trio behind the Sundance movies “Turbo Kid” and “Summer of 84,” are directing “We Are Zombies,” a comedy based on Jerry Frissen and Guy Davis’ cult comic book series “The Zombies That Ate the World.”
Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell and François Simard started shooting the movie on March 29 across various locations around Montreal, Canada, with a young cast led by Alexander Nachi (“Clash”), Megan Peta Hill (“Riverdale”) and Derek Johns (“Moonfall”). Kinology, the Paris-based banner whose credits include Leos Carax’s film “Annette,” has secured international sales to the movie and will unveil a promo teaser at Cannes.
Published by Humanoids, “The Zombies That Ate the World” ran in the legendary magazine Métal Hurlant in 2003 and earned praises from horror legends such as George A. Romero, Joe Dante and Tobe Hooper.
The high-concept movie is set in a city breeding non-cannibal zombies who are considered “living-impaired.
Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell and François Simard started shooting the movie on March 29 across various locations around Montreal, Canada, with a young cast led by Alexander Nachi (“Clash”), Megan Peta Hill (“Riverdale”) and Derek Johns (“Moonfall”). Kinology, the Paris-based banner whose credits include Leos Carax’s film “Annette,” has secured international sales to the movie and will unveil a promo teaser at Cannes.
Published by Humanoids, “The Zombies That Ate the World” ran in the legendary magazine Métal Hurlant in 2003 and earned praises from horror legends such as George A. Romero, Joe Dante and Tobe Hooper.
The high-concept movie is set in a city breeding non-cannibal zombies who are considered “living-impaired.
- 4/25/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Punk rock and suburbia collide when Simon meets Peggy in Adam Carter Rehmeier’s Dinner in America. As the two traverse the Midwest, Peggy unwittingly assists the lead singer of her favorite band in evading the police, all the while uncovering the unforeseen connections between them. Dp Jean-Philippe Bernier constructs two distinct cinematic styles that function in tandem with the film’s contrasting central characters. Drawing upon a background in film score composition, as well as an early career rooted in the punk scene, Bernier discusses the process of melding content and medium to create a distinct cinematographic look, drenched in the […]...
- 1/28/2020
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Punk rock and suburbia collide when Simon meets Peggy in Adam Carter Rehmeier’s Dinner in America. As the two traverse the Midwest, Peggy unwittingly assists the lead singer of her favorite band in evading the police, all the while uncovering the unforeseen connections between them. Dp Jean-Philippe Bernier constructs two distinct cinematic styles that function in tandem with the film’s contrasting central characters. Drawing upon a background in film score composition, as well as an early career rooted in the punk scene, Bernier discusses the process of melding content and medium to create a distinct cinematographic look, drenched in the […]...
- 1/28/2020
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
There are bits of “Repo Man,” “Napoleon Dynamite” and other literally or just philosophically “punk rock” cult comedies in the DNA of Adam Carter Rehmeier’s rude yet ingratiating “Dinner in America” — and mercifully none whatsoever here of his 2011 first feature “The Bunny Game,” a shrilly monotonous “extreme” horror for which all is now forgiven. This rambunctious mix of anarchic humor and misfit romance is not always inspired in the writing department, but its uneven qualities are mostly steamrolled over by the infectiously high-energy execution.
Best of all, it’s got a knockout lead performance by Kyle Gallner (soon to headline CBS All Access series “Interrogation”), who turns an admittedly showy role into something quite likely to become the favorite movie character ever for a small but fervent minority. As the saying goes, a star is born. Though unlikely to risk a major commercial breakout, there are enough other assets...
Best of all, it’s got a knockout lead performance by Kyle Gallner (soon to headline CBS All Access series “Interrogation”), who turns an admittedly showy role into something quite likely to become the favorite movie character ever for a small but fervent minority. As the saying goes, a star is born. Though unlikely to risk a major commercial breakout, there are enough other assets...
- 1/25/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
IndieWire reached out to the cinematographers behind the scripted narrative features premiering this week at Sundance to find out which cameras, lenses, and formats they used, and why they chose them to create the looks and meet the production demands of their films. Here are their responses.
Films appear in alphabetical order by title, and are organized by section:
1. U.S. Dramatic Competition
2. Premieres
3. Midnight
4. Next
5. World Dramatic Competition
Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition
“Blast Beat”
Dir: Esteban Arango, DoP: Ed Wu
Format: Red Helium 8K S35 Raw 6:5
Camera: Red Helium
Lens: Lomo Anamorphic Round
Wu: This was a film made with heart, blood, tears and soul. We fought for what we wanted creatively even though we had a limited budget for what we were trying to achieve. We knew that we wanted to make an “Uber-Metalized American Latino Adventure” movie, meaning we wanted to have some serious kick...
Films appear in alphabetical order by title, and are organized by section:
1. U.S. Dramatic Competition
2. Premieres
3. Midnight
4. Next
5. World Dramatic Competition
Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition
“Blast Beat”
Dir: Esteban Arango, DoP: Ed Wu
Format: Red Helium 8K S35 Raw 6:5
Camera: Red Helium
Lens: Lomo Anamorphic Round
Wu: This was a film made with heart, blood, tears and soul. We fought for what we wanted creatively even though we had a limited budget for what we were trying to achieve. We knew that we wanted to make an “Uber-Metalized American Latino Adventure” movie, meaning we wanted to have some serious kick...
- 1/22/2020
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
The 2019 Fantasia International Film Festival, now entering its third week, announces the award winners of its monumental 23rd edition. The victors were chosen through the deliberation of juries assigned to each competition, and were announced at a live ceremony on 21 July 2019.
Lee Su-Jin’s Idol takes top honours, nabs fest’s coveted Cheval Noir Award for Best Feature
Cheval Noir Award – Feature Films
The jury, presided over by Annick Mahnert, and comprised of Shaked Berenson, Amy Darling, Miles Finberg, and Maurizio Guarini (composer), awarded the following prizes:
Best Film: Idol (d. Lee Su-Jin)
In a statement, the jury noted, “From start to finish, Idol is an incredibly well-made film. We were struck by the great screenplay, performances, and directing.”
Han Soek-kyu and Sol Kyung-gu in “Idol”
Best Actor (tie): Han Seok-kyu and Sul Kyung-gu (Idol)
“Both actors brilliantly go through a wide range of emotions while their lives are colliding and collapsing,...
Lee Su-Jin’s Idol takes top honours, nabs fest’s coveted Cheval Noir Award for Best Feature
Cheval Noir Award – Feature Films
The jury, presided over by Annick Mahnert, and comprised of Shaked Berenson, Amy Darling, Miles Finberg, and Maurizio Guarini (composer), awarded the following prizes:
Best Film: Idol (d. Lee Su-Jin)
In a statement, the jury noted, “From start to finish, Idol is an incredibly well-made film. We were struck by the great screenplay, performances, and directing.”
Han Soek-kyu and Sol Kyung-gu in “Idol”
Best Actor (tie): Han Seok-kyu and Sul Kyung-gu (Idol)
“Both actors brilliantly go through a wide range of emotions while their lives are colliding and collapsing,...
- 7/25/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
At its height, Summer of ’84 sings like a sandy page-turner you end up finishing in the fall, with the wind swirling and mischief night just around the corner. Directing triad François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell (Turbo Kid) capture the sensations such wind would stir up within their first two reels; Summer of ’84 sports a mixture of youthful excitement and unease, where the hair standing up on the back of your neck signaled both. When high schooler Davey (Graham Verchere) suspects his neighbor (Rich Sommer) is a serial killer targeting young boys, he convinces his pack of buddies to engage in that most iconic summer treehouse activity: the stakeout. As the gang inches closer to the truth, the steely hands of maturity reach back to remind them that no matter how hard they try to be young forever, some events will force them to grow up.
Summer of ’84 recalls...
Summer of ’84 recalls...
- 8/8/2018
- by Mike Mazzanti
- The Film Stage
Kid Dangerous: Trio of Directors Craft Endearing 80’s Retro Flick
Operating comfortably within the lines of the well-tread grooves of genre paths explored before than it does reinvent the parameters of its retro engaged flavoring, the surprisingly endearing Turbo Kid manages to engage as heartfelt pastiche. Co-directed by Francois Simard, Anouk Whissell (who also star as the father and mother of the main character) and Yoann-Karl Whissell, the gonzo mash-up of exaggerated, bloody violence with the charming earnestness of its protagonists plays surprisingly well even if its narrative trajectory lacks enough remarkable characteristics to differentiate itself from certain films it pays homage to. At times enchanting, particularly with a handful of colorfully detailed character developments, it’s a romantically inclined love letter to a more inventive and playful era of filmmaking sorely missed.
In the post-apocalyptic world of 1997 Quebec, a loner known as The Kid (Munro Chambers) lives alone in...
Operating comfortably within the lines of the well-tread grooves of genre paths explored before than it does reinvent the parameters of its retro engaged flavoring, the surprisingly endearing Turbo Kid manages to engage as heartfelt pastiche. Co-directed by Francois Simard, Anouk Whissell (who also star as the father and mother of the main character) and Yoann-Karl Whissell, the gonzo mash-up of exaggerated, bloody violence with the charming earnestness of its protagonists plays surprisingly well even if its narrative trajectory lacks enough remarkable characteristics to differentiate itself from certain films it pays homage to. At times enchanting, particularly with a handful of colorfully detailed character developments, it’s a romantically inclined love letter to a more inventive and playful era of filmmaking sorely missed.
In the post-apocalyptic world of 1997 Quebec, a loner known as The Kid (Munro Chambers) lives alone in...
- 8/28/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
From the Rkss filmmaker’s collective (Anouk Whissell, François Simard, and Yoann-Karl Whissell) comes the Sundance Park City at Midnight selection Turbo Kid, described by the directors as like “some lost crazy kids’ movie from the 1980s that’s somehow has just been rediscovered.” Post-apocalypse gore, BMX bikes and Michael Ironside — Turbo Kid looks back to iconic ’80s kids adventures to inspire, again from the filmmakers, “a whole new generation of warped kids (and crazy adults).” Below, cinematographer Jean-Philippe Bernier talks about how he got those retro looks and summoned the requisite nostalgia on a small budget. Turbo Kid premieres Monday, […]...
- 1/26/2015
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
From the Rkss filmmaker’s collective (Anouk Whissell, François Simard, and Yoann-Karl Whissell) comes the Sundance Park City at Midnight selection Turbo Kid, described by the directors as like “some lost crazy kids’ movie from the 1980s that’s somehow has just been rediscovered.” Post-apocalypse gore, BMX bikes and Michael Ironside — Turbo Kid looks back to iconic ’80s kids adventures to inspire, again from the filmmakers, “a whole new generation of warped kids (and crazy adults).” Below, cinematographer Jean-Philippe Bernier talks about how he got those retro looks and summoned the requisite nostalgia on a small budget. Turbo Kid premieres Monday, […]...
- 1/26/2015
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Post apocalyptic short T Is For Turbo from Montreal based film collective Rkss was a great favorite among the submissions for the contest portion of the first installment of The ABCs Of Death and while the short ultimately fell just short of making the final anthology it's very much a case of no harm, no foul. They're making it into a feature instead with ABCs producer Ant Timpson on board along with Hobo With A Shotgun director Jason Eisener. And with production now in its first week, we've got your first look at the first still up above, courtesy of Dop Jean-Philippe Bernier. Read on for the official word ... Producers Anne-Marie Gélinas, Benoît Beaulieu, Ant Timpson and Tim Riley are delighted to announce the...
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- 4/1/2014
- Screen Anarchy
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