DEVIANT NEWS: The Rebirth of the Anthology

Word has been released confirming the sequel of the anthology horror film The ABC’s of Death...and the crew of filmmakers on board is looking to be diverse and strong!

From American Mary’s Soska sisters and Canadian director Vincenzo Natali (Cube, Splice), to the French duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (Inside, Livide) and Brazilian boundary-pusher Dennison Ramalho (Ninjas), there seems to be a variety of filmmakers present that could potentially create an original and exciting piece of work. There are also some interesting and surprising (in a good way) names on the list, including Room 237’s Rodney Ascher, and indie director Larry Fessenden (The Last Winter). Hopefully, this sequel will push the boundaries to what this style of film can actually accomplish, and sidestep the issues of the first.

​This sequel, as well as the sequel to V/H/S, is an exciting step in horror. Horror anthologies, until very recently, have largely died out. The years where Amicus films (including gems like Asylum  and The House that Dripped Blood) and Tales from the Crypt-esque shows reigned popular are long gone, which is quite a shame. I have always felt that the short structure of anthology films provide for stories and works in horror’s benefit, and also creates a distinct viewing experience. There is so much potential in collaborative works, and from V/H/S  and ABCs  both receiving sequels, it appears the concept is returning, and with welcome arms. Short films are so unseen by mainstream audiences, and by making these collaborative efforts, movies could not only be made for a much cheaper budget, but they also allow for more voices to be heard. Additionally, I have always felt that the horror community is all about collaboration, and this is the ultimate chance for different talented directors to come together and create a horror film that they could be proud of. The opportunities here are endless.

From The Press Release:

The sequel’s new roster includes Goya Award winner Álex de la Iglesia (THE LAST CIRCUS, DAY OF THE BEAST); ROOM 237 mastermind Rodney Ascher; Academy Award-nominated animator Bill Plympton; Filipino icon – and Director’s Fortnight inductee – Erik Matti (ON THE JOB, MAGIC TEMPLE); and the founder of Nigerian “Nollywood” cinema Lancelot Imasuen.

Additional confirmed filmmakers include Lithuania’s Kristina Buozyte and Bruno Samper (VANISHING WAVES), Japan’s arthouse provocateur Sion Sono (COLD FISH, SUICIDE CLUB), SPLICE and CUBE’s Vincenzo Natali, indie horror icon Larry Fessenden (THE LAST WINTER, HABIT), THE COLLECTION’s Marcus Dunstan, France’s Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (INSIDE, LIVID), E.L. Katz (director of the SXSW breakout hit CHEAP THRILLS), twin auteurs Jen and Sylvia Soska (AMERICAN MARY, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK), Israel’s Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (RABIES, BIG BAD WOLVES), A LONELY PLACE TO DIE’s Julian Gilbey, Brazil’s most controversial filmmaker Dennison Ramalho (NINJAS and LOVE FOR MOTHER ONLY), THE LEGEND OF BEAVER DAM and the upcoming STAGEFRIGHT’s Jerome Sable, and animator Robert Morgan – creator of the BAFTA Award nominated short BOBBY YEAH.

​Again, like the last film, The ABC’s of Death 2  will be hosting a competition for people everywhere to submit their own short film to be included in the compilation. Let’s hope that this film, as well as S-V/H/S, are successful with improvements on their predecessors, because the return of anthology horror films is long overdue.

-Zach