Boronia Boys
dir. Timothy Spanos / AUS
9.30PM / Tue 25 Aug / Loop Bar

Writer/director Timothy Spanos (Prisoner Queen) returns to MUFF
in 2009 with a new Oz comedy about two hapless mates who have never
left their (and director Spanos’) hometown of bogantastic Boronia.
Now that Kane and Darren are about to reach their 30s, they decide
that it’s time to leave Boronia behind. But with their only prospects
being in selling hard rubbish at trash & treasure markets, will their
simple dreams ever be realized? A cracker of a comedy with lovably
larrakinistic performances by the film’s double act, (affably played
by Cameron Nugent and Tim Burns), Boronia Boys screens at MUFF X
to prove that Australian comedy ain’t dead, and it ain’t in hiding.
You just have to know where to look.

Carmilla Hyde
dir. Dave de Vries / AUS
9PM / Fri 28 Aug / Glitch

World premiere before going onto a four-week season at the Mercury
in Adelaide. Millie is an awkward and socially withdrawn virgin who
shies away from the loud, intense world of sex. What’s she doing
at MUFF then, I hear you ask? Well - when she falls prey to a cruel
prank by housemate’s friends and awakes naked and confused, her grip
on a safe closeted life begins to slip. Through hypnotic therapy she
unleashes not only her emotions but her wild and sexy alter-ego,
Carmilla Hyde. That’s more like it. Using her new persona, Millie
now has the perfect weapon to take down her tormentors… or will her
alter ego take over for good? A stylish urban update of the classic
Jekyll & Hyde story, directed with finesse by comic genius Dave de
Vries, who has previously written and drawn for The Phantom, Batman,
Green Lantern, and The Puppet Master, and will be in attendance
with his team. Q&A to follow

The Dinner Party
dir. Scott Murden / AUS
7PM / Sun 23 Aug / Noise Bar

What would you do if you found yourself at a dinner party where people
were planning on killing themselves afterwards? Maybe you only know
half the story… The Dinner Party, written and directed by Scott
Murden, was originally greenlit by the Australian Film Commission
but later dropped as it was considered too controversial to be backed,
making it a perfect Oz addition to MUFF’s 2009 lineup. Starring
Heartbreak High’s Lara Cox and a sexy young ensemble cast against
a slick production design, this tight and twisted thriller is based
on true events which took place in suburban Canberra, events so
astonishing that they have to be seen to be believed. Guarantees
a gripping ride all the way to the film’s shocking final act.

Eraser Children
dir. Nathan Christoffel / AUS
5PM / Sun 30 Aug / Noise Bar

Part of official selection at the London Sci Fi Festival, this will
be the exclusive PREVIEW SCREENING of director Nathan Christoffel’s
feature debut, and it’s generating a lot of buzz amongst genre fans.
In a dystopia of useless products, pre-paid dreams, and a system of
‘violations’ so invasive that if you laugh too loudly you will be
fined, Misner Corporation has invented a new source of energy,
generating a monopoly on all facets of human existence. In the
tradition of classic dystopian stories such as Nineteen Eight-Four
and Brazil, this one is a must-see for all sci-fi fans (and we know
there are a lot of you out there). With a wonderful cast and
stunning production design, Eraser Children is a testament to what
can be accomplished in an independent film with a commitment to
passionate and original storytelling. Look out for dictator Misner’s
officers on the streets of Melbourne in the days leading up to the
festival, and make it down to the screening for a very special
interactive cinema experience. Need we say more?

Family Demons
dir. Ursula Dabrowsky / AUS
11PM / Sat 29 Aug / Embassy

We all love our slice n’ dice slashers here at MUFF, but they aren’t
the only type of horror to whet our appetite. Ursula Dabrowsky’s
Family Demons turns away from the 1970s American tradition and instead
to the horror films of Japanese and Korean contemporary cinema,
adapting a subtler, more psychological and often more terrifying
approach to fear. Family Demons follows a young girl named Billie
(Cassandra Kane), abused and held prisoner by her alcoholic mother
(played with terrifying finesse by Kerry Reid). When the torment
becomes too much for her to handle, she murders her mother in a fit
of rage… only to find out that her mother’s spirit is intent on
continuing her abuse from beyond the grave. Very much in the spirit
of The Grudge, Dabrowsky’s feature is slick and scary, with
a gruesome and kick-ass ending that you’ll never see coming.

Impolex
dir. Alex Perry / USA
7PM / Thu 27 Aug / Embassy

Both bizarre and poignant, the debut feature from American director
Alex Perry sees a WWII GI wandering through the forest at the close
of combat on an aimless and increasingly surreal journey searching
for undetonated German V-2 rockets. He encounters strange characters
and guides along the way, amongst them a particularly memorable
talking octopus. Loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Gravity’s
Rainbow, the film’s loose structure and dreamlike (and often very
funny) imagery, coupled with strong direction and a fantastic natural
yet captivating performance by the lead, Riley O’Brian, makes Impolex
is like nothing else at the festival this year, and probably like
nothing else you’ve ever seen before. This is why MUFF exists; to
allow audiences to discover hidden gems like this one. The film is
definite must-see at MUFF X, and the American director Perry is one
to watch in the near future. The festival is also privileged to have
the director Perry present; he will introduce the film and hold a Q&A
session following the screening.
Plays with The Marina Experiment

The Marina Experiment
dir. Marina Lutz / USA/AUS
7PM / Thu 27 Aug / Embassy

A father documented the emotional violations his daughter endured
under his direction over the first sixteen years of her life.
After his death, she uncovers boxes of reel to reel audio, super
8 film and over 10,000 photographs, all of her. The daughter, also
the filmmaker, presents the evidence. MUFF X is thrilled to have American director Lutz in attendance to present her award-winning autobiographical film to Australian audiences. The film features original music by Mick Harvey of The Bad Seeds, and in an exciting update, Harvey will be hosting Lutz's exclusive Q&A which will follow the screening. Don't miss this rare chance to meet and converse with exciting international director Marina Lutz and local legend Mick Harvey. Note: this event will be filmed.
Plays with Impolex

Modern Love is Automatic
dir. Zach Clark / USA
9PM / Wed 26 Aug / Embassy

What lies beyond apathy? This is but one of the many threads tying
writer/director Zach Clark’s quirky gem of a film together. Lorraine
(the mesmerizing Melodie Sisk) is an apathetic nurse who seems
wholly indifferent to the comings and goings of those around her.
In an attempt to shake up her daily monotony, she decides to moonlight
as a dominatrix, while her tragically/hilariously delusional housemate
Adrian (Maggie Ross) inexplicably pursues a career in modeling.
What begins as amusing exploitative style-piece develops into
a poignant portrayal of ennui and sexual dysfunction. Subversive,
sexy, and surprisingly moving, it’s reminiscent of Russ Meyer and
John Waters with a dash of Todd Solondz on the side. The performances
are hilariously spot-on, the production design is dripping with style,
and the ending has a truly classic feel to it – plus a little bondage
certainly doesn’t go astray at MUFF. Don’t miss this one, and find out
what happens when lethargy meets leather.

Prey
dir's: George Miller + Oscar D'Roccster
11PM / Fri 28 Aug / Embassy

In April of 1987, two North Americans disappeared in the West
Australian desert on a 4WD holiday. They were never seen alive again.
Their abandoned vehicles and totally unused supplies were found in
sand dunes near an Aboriginal sacred site - less than an hour away
from the closest town. Two years later, in May of 1989, the two men
were both found dead of natural causes, on the same day, 1000 miles
apart back in North America.

Prey follows the story of 3 couples who set out into the same desert
and unluckily end up in the same area, at the same time of year,
with disastrous results. These three couples, one from the USA and
two from Australia, are about to learn the horrible truth about what happens when your 4WD holiday goes horribly wrong. In the desert,
in the night, in the dark. Preconceived assumptions about friendship,
undiscovered sexual liaisons, and false leadership come apart as the
three couples realize that the vacation’s over.

Re-living Off The Land
dir’s. Paul Murphy + Simon Best
9PM / Mon 24 Aug / Embassy

A group of friends from Montmorency reunite after a decade apart to
finish Living off the Land, the dodgy shock horror film they began
together as teenagers on a VHS camcorder. The twist is that the film
is semi-autobiographical in nature; it mirrors real-life events,
featuring actual footage of the guys’ ten-year-old incomplete project,
and a cast of actors essentially playing themselves. A fascinating
and often hilarious insight into the trials and tribulations of
low-budget filmmaking, this one is a must-see for aspiring filmmakers
and independent horror fans alike. Written and directed with obvious
passion by Paul Murphy and Simon Best, and featuring an ensemble cast
which includes Wally De Backer, who is now better known as the ARIA
Award-winning musician Gotye. Bonus points for the casting inclusion
of classic Ozploitation director, the late Richard Franklin (Patrick,
Roadgames) who appears as himself in a rare cameo appearance.
Plays with Ricky! The Movie

Ricky! The Movie
dir. Liam Firmager / AUS
9PM / Mon 24 Aug / Embassy

In 1983 Ricky T scored a minor top 20 hit on the international charts,
but just 5 years later he had all but disappeared with only rare
sightings, each one more outrageous and unbelievable than the last.
But who was Ricky T? And why has he suddenly reemerged from obscurity,
25 years after his original success? If these questions are eating
away at you, day in and day out, fear not! MUFF can offer you all
the answers, and more. Directed by Liam Firmager, this gut-bustingly
hilarious mockumentary conducts an investigation into the life, loves
and losses of Ricky T, featuring testimony and reflections from the
musicians and celebrities who knew and (maybe) loved him, including
Wilbur Wilde, Tottie Goldsmith, Andrew G, Ron Jeremy and many more.
This one is worth it for many of the celebrity interviews alone. Still
a work in progress, take the opportunity to get a preview sneak peek
at Ricky!, exclusively at MUFF X.
Plays with Re-living Off The Land

Seeking Wellness – Suffering in Four Movements
dir. Daniel Schneidkraut / USA
9PM / Thu 27 Aug / Embassy

Stunningly depraved masterpiece from writer/director Daniel
Schneidkraut, unfolding through a series of four equally compelling
and unbelievable segments. A group of gunmen brutally assault and
murder patients in a burns ward. An unbalanced father shares his
stories of childhood trauma with his own kids during a Christmas
to remember. A heart-broken lover seeks out a truly unique form
of self-harm. A student conducts controversial research and an
astonishing classroom experiment. This film really has to be seen
to be believed. Funny and frightening, sharp-witted and shocking,
disturbing and disgusting - think Michael Haneke with a twist
of David Cronenberg and you might have something close to what
Schneidkraut’s film has to offer. MUFF can’t rate this one highly
enough on either concept or delivery; it’s 100% quality and 100%
unmissable. No arguments – just go see it.

Sleeper
dir. Dru Brown / AUS
7PM / Wed 26 Aug / Embassy

A necessity for fans of horror. A notorious killer escapes from prison
in order to track the object of his obsession, a beautiful young
woman, and to kill anyone who gets in his way. Writer/director
Dru Brown looks to the classics for inspiration and delivers a slick,
gorgeous-looking flick with all the necessary ingredients for a great
slasher and then some. The casting is pitch-perfect: Kym Jackson heads
the group of sexy young’uns who fall prey to the killer, and Bruce
Hopkins of Lord of the Rings fame strikes gold as the smooth-talking
detective tracking the carnage. The ace card, however, is the killer
himself. Mute, fantastically violent and active only at night-time,
Resnik is menacing and an utter delight to watch. He is played with
perfection in a casting miracle by Scott ‘Raven’ Levy of WWE and WCW
hardcore wrestling fame. Worth the price of entry for his performance
alone. If you want to support quality Aussie horror (or if you want
to see someone stabbed to death with a toothbrush), Sleeper is the
film to see.

Tomboys
dir. Nathan Hill / AUS
7PM / Mon 24 Aug / Embassy

The film opens with a group of young girls, the titular ‘tomboys’,
surrounding a bound and masked man. It soon becomes evident that this
man is a serial rapist, and that the girls have kidnapped him to exact
their revenge. But not everything is as it seems… Shot mostly in
darkness, set in a dilapidated barn, sparsely lit and bound with
a tense and scary script, watching Tomboys can set the shivers going.
More than the average ‘rape revenge’ flick, director Nathan Hill often
goes for the fear rather than the shock, and the result is a brooding,
ominous flick with a great atmosphere and a nice dose of violence
thrown in for good measure. Should be added to the list for fans
of horror and fans of exploitation, because there are never enough
good examples of either genre in this country and when one pops up,
it needs to be grabbed with both hands.