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Cinematek
Masterclass by Tobe Hooper
Despite a minimal budget, Tobe Hooper managed to make one of the most important films of the seventies: “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”. In his later career he sometimes disposed over large Hollywood budgets and collaborated with people like Steven Spielberg. Learn the tricks of the trade from the master, known for his sharp editing skills, and listen to tales on how this fiercely independent film maker had to face up to the studio system of Hollywood.
Bloodsport
Belgian national pride JCVD in the role of Frank Dux, a fighter who participates in an illegal tournament in the darkest alleys of Hong Kong in which he will face a ruthless, deadly opponent. The first starring role of the muscles-from-Brussels in this martial arts classic.
Missing in Action
In the 80's, the US were convinced that hundreds of missing American soldiers were still held captive in Vietnamese war camps. Reason enough for Cannon to send Chuck Norris to Saigon, pissed off and guns a-blazing in the film that relaunched his career.
Eaten Alive
Deep in the Louisiana bayou, lost travellers can find shelter in the dilapitated Starlight Hotel. But guests never stay long, since the psychotic owner feeds them one by one to his pet alligator. Pure, unadulterated madness in this gruesome freak show, with an early role for Robert Englund.
The Delta Force
Terrorists hijack a plane and set course for Beirut. Leave it to commando unit “Delta Force” to take care of things. An amusing, explosive right-wing fantasy with main roles for the moustache of Chuck Norris, the head of Lee Marvin and a rocket-firing motorcycle!
Runaway Train
Jon Voight and Eric Roberts escape from their heavily guarded prison, only to get stuck on an uncontrollable train, set on a course to destruction in the icy landscape of Alaska. An intense and existentialist action film, based on an original screenplay by Akira Kurosawa.
Salem's Lot
The mysterious Mr. Barlow is the new owner of the old mansion at the edge of Salem's Lot. After he moves in, the small town gets infested with a plague of vampires. Hooper's screen adaptation of Stephen King's book features powerful, unforgettable scenes of horror.
The Funhouse
Four teenagers visit the carnival and wager a bet to spend the night in the haunted house. What first seems like a joke quickly turns into deadly seriousness. This slasher uses its colourful carnival setting to great effect and makes excellent use of the wide scope-frame.
Street Smart
A journalist has to write an article on a New York pimp, but makes up a fictitious person. By coincidence it seems very similar to an actual pimp, now convicted of murder. When he finds out, he sees an opportunity to get out of his funk. A crime drama with an excellent, frighteningly intense Morgan Freeman.
Poltergeist
“They're here...” A typical American suburban family has to deal with a persistent poltergeist. The combination of director Tobe Hooper and producer Steven Spielberg results in a schizophrenic spectacle that looks all the better on a big cinema screen.
invaders from mars
Young David witnesses the landing of a UFO, unsure if it was a dream. But then his father shows unusual behaviour and David suspects he's controlled by aliens. Hooper is like a kid in a candy store in this big and bold remake of the fifties SF-classic.
Avenging Force
A sinister paramilitary group organises hunts on human prey in the southern Bayou. But when a former CIA agent winds up as their target, lines blur between the hunter and the hunted. An 80's version of “The Most Dangerous Game” featuring the ultimate Cannon action hero Michael Dudikoff.
10 to Midnight
A police detective chases a serial killer: a sex-crazed psychopath who has the habit of stripping his clothes before killing his victims. Bronson is excellent as the reactionary cynical cop, as is the smooth, creepy psycho he's chasing in this suspenseful thriller.
Tough Guys don't Dance
A writer awakens with a terrible hangover, blood in his car, and a woman's head in his basement. This remarkable neo-noir with Ryan O'Neal and Isabella Rossellini got laughed off the screen on its release, but grew in cult status because of its bizarre atmosphere that conjures up an involuntary Lynchian experience.
The Mangler
Because of the many deadly accidents in an industrial laundry, it seems like an enormous mangle has a taste for human flesh. Even worse: everything points to demonic forces at work. An adaptation of a story by Stephen King, featuring Ted Levine and Robert Englund.
The Apple
At a song contest, Alphie and Bibi draw the attention of Mr. Boogalow, a Mephisto-like music mogul. They become tools in an evil master plan to conquer the world by song and dance. Disco glitter a-gogo in this awful musical that hits so stupendously wide off the mark that only hilarity remains.
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
When an unscrupulous developer wants to bulldoze the local youth centre, a group of breakdancers tries to stop him in his tracks. Electric boogie, neon colours, tight lycra, disarming naivety and hair brushed sky-high: the eighties shine in all their fluorescent splendour.
Cinema Nova
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
A kaleidoscopic, absurd tale of everyday and out-of-the-ordinary stories, portraying our human existence in its grandeur and pettiness, beauty and tragedy, exaggeration and sadness. Roy Andersson (“Songs from the Second Floor”) was awarded the Golden Lion in Venice for his film.
Honeymoon
A newlywed couple on their honeymoon heads to a cabin by the lake. At night, Bea suddenly starts to sleepwalk. Paul finds her wandering in the woods, in a state of confusion. What has happened to her? Creepy body horror featuring Rosie Leslie (“Game of Thrones”).
Cobra
When the city is terrorised by a murderous sect, there's only one remedy: “Call the Cobra”. Sly Stallone mows down the villains with his rattling submachine gun, hooks up with blonde bimbo Brigitte Nielsen and spouts out hilarious macho one-liners.
The Duke of Burgundy
A lesbian couple plays sado-masochistic power games. Peter Strickland (“Berberian Sound Studio”) lets comic absurdity seep into this sharply accurate portrayal of the delicate balance in a relationship. Giallo-esque atmosphere in a gorgeously shot masterpiece featuring Sidse Babett Knudsen (“Borgen”).
Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People
A group of travellers are stranded on a deserted island. Famished, they come across an old shipwreck that is overgrown by weird fungi. When they eat the mushrooms, matters take a hallucinogenic turn. Hold on tight for the attack of the mushroom people, in one of the biggest Japanese cult classics!
Exterminator 2
A Vietnam veteran listens in on the police radio band and wipes the crooks off the streets of New York – with a flamethrower! But then he faces the psychopatic X (Mario Van Peebles) and his gang of thugs. An absolute cult classic!
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (Second Screening)
A kaleidoscopic, absurd tale of everyday and out-of-the-ordinary stories, portraying our human existence in its grandeur and pettiness, beauty and tragedy, exaggeration and sadness. Roy Andersson (“Songs from the Second Floor”) was awarded the Golden Lion in Venice for his film.
Eggshells
Tobe Hooper's debut feature is an obvious product of the late sixties: a political and psychedelic work, channelling the influence of Jean-Luc Godard. Naked hippies, philosophy in a bathtub and a bizarre, semi-mythical atmosphere with a comic undercurrent – a hidden gem ripe for rediscovery.
Lifeforce
During a space mission, three bodies are found on board of an alien spaceship. They're brought to earth, but the consequences are disastrous. Space vampires, a nude Mathilda May and the world on the brink of destruction in this insane SF-film that turned into a massive cult hit.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
The chances on success and love of a nerdy flowerist turn for the better, with the help of a flesh-eating plant called Audrey II. But this “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space” has but one credo: “Feed me!”. This very entertaining musical remake of Roger Corman's cult classic, directed by Frank Oz (“The Muppet Show”), will be shown in its rare director's cut.
The Tribe
A newcomer at an institute for deaf-mutes has to fight for his place in a hidden world of brutal violence, teen prostitution and human traffic. With all dialogues in sign language, action speaks louder than words. This price winner of the Cannes festival is an astounding achievement that will leave you speechless.
The Creeping Garden
‘Slime moulds’ are an enigmatic, fungus-like lifeform that displays a frightening level of intelligence. Still a mystery to science, they form the subject of this hallucinatory documentary, featuring a musical score by post-rock icon Jim O’Rourke (Sonic Youth, ...).
The Day of the Triffids
A marine officer wakes up in a deserted hospital, only to discover that most of the world's population has been blinded after witnessing a meteorite shower. Even worse: the meteor dispersed the spores of an alien, flesh-eating plant species that's now taking over the planet: “The Triffids are here!”
1000 Rosen
When American investors descend upon a local factory, it forces all sorts of 'modernisations' upon the villagers. Slowly, the village is overgrown by weeds, as a wry symbol of rabid capitalism and deluded dreams in this atypical and lugubrious parable.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
A local doctor gets told by several of his patients of their relatives suddenly behaving strangely. First he takes it for mass hysterics, but then he discovers an invasion of alien plants growing human clones in their seed pods. A heart-poundingly scary, methaphorical SF-classic from the cold war era.
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
A flower shop has a new attraction: a flesh-eating plant listening to the name of Audrey II. But Audrey II grows, and grows... In just two days time, the legendary Roger Corman shot a small horror comedy that would later turn into a phenomena. With Jack Nicholson in his debut role.
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
The director of “Not Quite Hollywood” unleashes his energetic documentary style on the infamous production house Cannon Films. Deranged film clips and juicy anecdotes take turns in creating a vivid image of the insane work ethics of the Golan & Globus duo.
Invasion USA
Cuban communist guerilla soldiers land on the beaches of Florida and try to kick-start their revolution by terrorising a small suburb. Archetypical 80's bad guy Richard Lynch leads the attack, but luckily Chuck Norris comes to the rescue – with a rocket launcher in his jeans pocket.
Ninja III: The Domination
Aerobics teacher Christie gets possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja. As a willess murder instrument she has to bend to his violent thirst for vengeance. Cannon made many ninja films, but none as insane as this deranged mixture of “Revenge of the Ninja” and “The Exorcist”.
Symposium: 1980's Reaganite Cinema
Symposium at Cinema Nova : Dr. Steve Jones (Northumbria University), Dr. Russ Hunter (Northumbria University), Jonathan Mack (Northumbria University), Dr. Sarah Ralph (University of East Anglia), Laurent Vanclaire (ULB)
Death Wish III
Ever on a quest for justice, Charles Bronson frowns his forehead and wipes the filth off the streets with revolvers, machine guns and even a bazooka. The third part of the legendary revenge saga goes totally over-the-top and almost seems like porn for ultra right-wing weapon fetishists.
Tokyo Tribe
After “Why Don't You Play in Hell?”, the Japanese enfant terrible turns Offscreen on its head once again - this time with an insane yakuza hip-hop musical! In a colourful, cartoonish version of Tokyo, street gangs go at it head-to-head – with rhythm 'n rhyme, but also with swords, revolvers and... tanks!
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
A maniacal Texas Ranger (Dennis Hopper) searches for the killers of his brother. One of the most deranged sequels ever made: the raw realism of the original gets cut to pieces by a buzzing chainsaw, for a non-stop avalanche of dark humour and bloodcurdling terror.
Blind
After losing her sight, Ingrid has to rely on her memory to retain a visual connection with her surroundings. But when those memories fade away, her imagination starts to fill in the blanks and the line between reality and fantasy becomes unclear. Engaging drama with a Charlie Kaufman-like complexity.
Ruined Heart - Another love story between a criminal and a whore
The joined forces of punk director Khavn's rebel energy, Wong Kar-wai's regular cinematographer Christopher Doyle's elegant camera work and cool-ass actor Tananobu Asano (“Ichi the Killer”) result in an hypnotic descent into the neon-lit underbelly of Manila.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Weird plants suddenly turn up all over San Francisco. Initial fascination turns into a struggle for human survival. This strong remake by Kaufman enriches the themes of the 50's classic with a critique on the self-centred, cynical 70's, whilst maintaining the original's primal fear of the mundane.
Shortscreen
For the annual Shortscreen program, Offscreen and website Kortfilm.be selected five new Belgian short films – and one Dutch - that fit the Offscreen criteria: original, unusual, bizarre and surprising. The films will be introduced by the filmmakers!
Tribute to Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, self-proclaimed “cineast of the absurd”, tragically passed away in 2014. We bring homage to this free spirit, in the company of some of his close friends, with a selection of films and a few surprises...
Tribute to ABC Cinema: When Porno was Chic
A tribute to the ABC featuring steamy films, vintage porn trailers, filmed testimonies, surprise acts and musical intermezzi – to turn into a wickedly funky 70's party after midnight.
Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People (Second screening)
A group of travellers are stranded on a deserted island. Famished, they come across an old shipwreck that is overgrown by weird fungi. When they eat the mushrooms, matters take a hallucinogenic turn. Hold on tight for the attack of the mushroom people, in one of the biggest Japanese cult classics!
Fires on the Plain
Dantesque imagery on a Pacific island during the last days of WWII. Between mutilated bodies and rotten corpses, a lonely soldier is on a quest for redemption, only to descend deeper into hell. A hard-hitting anti-war film by cult director Shinya Tsukamoto (“Tetsuo”, “Tokyo Fist”).
Masters of the Universe
He-Man leaves the planet of Eternia and lets his biceps roll over LA in this poorly recieved yet memorable toy film. With Courtney Cox by his side, Dolph Lundgren takes on the evil armies of Skeletor in the skimpiest of underpants. Pure camp!
King Solomon's Mines
The world famous adventurer Allan Quatermain goes on a quest for the legendary diamond mines of king Solomon. Cannon attempts to hook onto the success of Indiana Jones and more than succeeds with this amusing adventure film. The cast features Richard Chamberlain, John Rhys-Davies and a young Sharon Stone.
The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji
Incompetent police agent Reiji gets ordered to infiltrate a gang of criminals. His superiors hope that, thanks to his clumsiness, no one will ever suspect him of being an undercover agent. But then he winds up in a power struggle between the gangsters. Takashi Miike has fun with this outrageous comedy.
A Girl Walks Home alone at Night
The dark streets of an imaginary Persian town called “Bad City” are haunted by a female vampire, her black chador draped over her shoulders like a cape. This feminist art-horror film lies bare an Iranian underworld of pimps, hookers, drugs and decadence.
Bozar
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
A group of teenagers stumbles upon a depraved family, among them the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. This influential horror film, brilliantly executed in gritty cinema vérité style, still retains its power to shock and disturb. A unique screening of the newly remastered print in high definition.
Hard to be a god
On a distant planet, human scientists infiltrate the upper classes of a feudal society and are regarded as gods. Step into a nightmarish medieval world for a cinematographic tour-de-force, combining the feverish visions of Hieronymus Bosch and Fellini's “Satyricon”.
Cinema RITCS
Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (+ lecture)
In this prequel of the first movie, Chuck Norris is locked away in a Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp. Not a smart move by the Vietnamese - because Chuck won't be happy until nothing but smouldering remains are what's left of the prison camp.
Offscreen photostream
