The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Weekend of dread ahead at Dundead
Dundee horror fans are gearing up for a gruesome weekend of slasher films. Dundead will return to Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) from May 16-19 with spooky Scottish premieres, previews and short films.
A special Dundead cocktail called a Candyman has been created by Jute Cafe Bar for the festival and is available at a discount for those with a Dundead ticket.
The festival will feature Richard Karpala, one of the directors behind Falling Stars, as well as DJ Theo Bleak, who is performing a set filled with ’90s tunes and horror influences.
The weekend starts with the Dundead Film Quiz on Thursday and new Dundead merchandise, including T-shirts and prints featuring a design by Abertay University student Liam Doyle are on offer.
This year’s film programme celebrates the history of slasher films, bringing together classic favourites with lesserknown gems.
Lined up are special anniversary screenings of Italian slasher Blood And Black Lace from horror master Mario Bava and a 4K restoration of Tobe Hooper’s iconic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
There will also be a screening of 1992’s Candyman from Bernard Rose, Wes Craven’s Scream, and cult classic Skinned Deep. The festival will open with the UK premiere of Australian spider horror Sting.
Festival programmer Michael Coull said: “I’m really excited for Dundead 2024 – we have such a great programme lined up for horror fans.
“This year all our vintage films are arranged around the theme of ‘slashers’. While this subgenre of horror has faced robust discourse over the years, our programme really shows the depth and breadth of what the slasher can be.
“Inspired by the 50th anniversary of Tobe Hooper’s 1974 masterpiece The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, our slasher round-up will features screenings of 1996’s Scream, as well as the undersung gem that is Gabe Bartalos’ Skinned Deep, which will be screening in a UK cinema for the very first time in honour of its 20th anniversary.
“From Gothic ghostliness and social commentary in 1992’s Candyman, to riotous feminist self-parody in our The Slumber Party Massacre Double Bill, to one of the founding texts of the genre (and of the Italian giallo genre), 1964’s Blood And Black Lace, this programme has a slasher for every mood (and every decade, from the 1960s to the 2000s).
“Our programme also includes premieres and previews of some of the boldest new films in the horror/cult world.”
He added: “As always, I can’t wait to welcome our Dundead audience to the cinema for a weekend full of horror treats.”