Films by the founder and publisher of the horror genre’s premiere print magazine will be among the work shown at a special Valentine-themed screening in New York…

There are many ways that horror fans might know of Shade Rupe—as one of the producers behind Wild Eye Releasing, from Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments, or as one of the masterminds behind the Funeral Party books.  But those who hail from New York might also be familiar with his role as a curator of the “Subversive Sinema” film series.

This month Rupe brings to downtown two acclaimed films by Rodrigo Gudiño, the force behind Rue Morgue, which is also sponsoring the event (cool goody bags, anyone?).  The Demonology of Desire, which has played the international festival circuit to great success, is said to be both twisted and inspired.  Its creative team ain’t bad either, with make-up effects from Gaslight Studio (300, Land of the Dead, Saw III) and cinematography by Derek Rogers (Resident Evil: Apocalypse).  The second Gudiño film in the program, The Eyes of Edward James, has been an award-winner at such prestigious festivals as Edinburgh’s Dead By Dawn.  (BTW, check this space for an interview with Dead’s visionary founder, Adèle Hartley, in the coming weeks.)

But that’s not all.  Also screening will be Stuart Andrews’s making-of doc about Demonology entitled Girls, Guns & Goblins (I’m assuming that the title provides a clue to the thematic content of Gudiño’s film).  Also on the bill is Phil Mucci’s The Listening Dead, which was voted Best Short Film of 2007 in Rue Morgue.  Both Mucci and Gudiño will be on hand for the usual intros and/or Q & A’s, so this is an event that you probably don’t want to miss if you live in striking distance of New York.

And although I’m unfamiliar with these filmmakers’ work, Mr. Rupe’s insights into the genre are generally second to none, so when he says something is worth checking out, I check.  If I needed any convincing I guess I could point to the fact that a 2005 program of his at the Pioneer featured J. T. Petty’s remarkable minimalist film Soft for Digging (2001).  If these titles are in that class, seeing them—on the big screen, no less—is sure to be a treat.

Details:  “Valentine Villainy: An Evening of Short Horror Films About Love and Desire”; Monday, February 11, 7:00 pm at The Pioneer Theatre, 155 East 3^rd Street at Avenue A, 212.591.0434


Filmmaker Rodrigo Gudiño