May springs into action on NYX UK with a dazzling selection of the savage, the surreal, and the shocking, headed up on 22nd May at 9pm, with the Channel premiere of Simon Rumley’s harrowingly evocative FASHIONISTA (2016), which boasts a fiercely dedicated performance from Amanda Fuller. And to celebrate the leading indie filmmaker’s birthday, this is followed by a special screening of his debut feature THE LIVING AND THE DEAD (2006), alongside an exclusive interview hosted by FrightFest’s Alan Jones.
On Friday 2 May, 9pm, there is the Channel premiere of psychological horror WILLARD (1974). Directed by Daniel Mann and based on the novel "Ratman's Notebooks" by Stephen Gilbert, the film stars Bruce Davison in the title role as a lonely young man who seeks solace and companionship among rats, whom he trains to carry out his vengeful desires. Also stars Ernest Borgnine and Sondra Locke.
Other Friday night 9pm channel premieres include STRANGE COLOUR OF YOUR BODY’S TEARS, a visually striking, erotically charged surreal giallo, directed by Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, which steams on Friday 17 May. On May 10 there is UZUMAK (2000), a Japanese horror film directed by Higuchinsky, based on the manga of the same name by Junji Ito. The film has earned a cult following for its distinctive approach to the genre, standing out as a testament to the potential of adapting manga into film. This is followed by the channel premiere of boundary-pushing Spanish vampire spectacle VAMPYRES (1974) at 11.15pm.
Another cult Spanish horror receiving its Channel premiere is DR JEKYLL AND THE WEREWOLF (1971), which sirs on Thursday 7 May, 9pm.
The UK’s prime destination for horror fans is celebrating the birthdays of three grandmasters of British horror. On Sunday 26 May, Peter Cushing’s birthday is celebrated with a diabolical double-bill – DR TERROR’S HOUSE OF HORRORS (1965), at 9pm and the channel premiere of THE LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES (1974), at 11.15pm.
Then on Monday 27 May, NYX UK honours the birthdays of Vincent Price and Christopher Lee. First, we have welcome showings of two Price classics – the campy, captivating RETURN OF THE FLY (1958) at 5pm and SHOCK (1946), at 7pm, which, because of Price’s chilling performance, is considered among the most memorable psychological thrillers of the 1940s. Then, at 9pm, comes a hoard of mad monks, primitive humanoids and bloodthirsty zombies and the wonderfully mesmerising Christopher Lee in Eugenio Martín HORROR EXPRESS (1972).
FrightFest Saturday Scares with Alan Jones continues, with our genial host introducing and discussing his favourite films.
