Fango got the first word from Severin Films and Metaluna Productions that the two companies are teaming up on THE THEATRE BIZARRE, a new horror anthology feature inspired by Paris’ legendary Grand Guignol. The movie will contain six stories, each helmed by a different fear filmmaker, including Richard Stanley (pictured) of HARDWARE and DUST DEVIL.

Stanley’s segment “The Mother of Toads” is already lensing in the French Pyrenees, and stars Victoria Maurette, THE BEYOND’s Catriona MacColl in the title role and Shane Woodward. Karim Hussain, the man behind the notorious SUBCONSCIOUS CRUELTY who also served as DP on the eagerly awaited HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, lensed “Mother of Toads” and will direct a segment of his own for THEATRE BIZARRE as well.

The other filmmakers involved are: Buddy Giovinazzo, creator of COMBAT SHOCK (a.k.a. AMERICAN NIGHTMARE) and last year’s well-reviewed LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKDOWN; Douglas Buck, who won widespread attention with shorts like CUTTING MOMENTS and HOME before following up with the SISTERS remake; legendary FX artist/filmmaker Tom Savini; and Severin topper David Gregory, who made his directorial debut with PLAGUE TOWN. “From DEAD OF NIGHT to the Amicus anthologies of the ‘60s and ‘70s like TALES FROM THE CRYPT to modern classics such as CREEPSHOW, the ‘portmanteau’ approach has always held a unique place in the horror genre,” says Severin co-founder/CEO Carl Daft, who’s producing THE THEATRE BIZARRE with Gregory and John Cregan, Metaluna’s Fabrice Lambot and Michael Ruggiero of Nightscape Entertainment. “THEATRE BIZARRE, with its wraparound segments shot in an ominous Parisian theatre that encase six shocking visions, will be a ferocious return to a legendary concept.”

“These filmmakers are all working with the exact same budget, delivery schedule and narrative directive,” adds executive producer Daryl J. Tucker. “They must deliver a short film of 10-20 minutes inspired by the term ‘Grand Guignol.’ No other creative restrictions exist. We’re expecting great things from six of modern horror’s most distinctive writers and directors.”

Metaluna is a Paris-based company with credits such as DYING GOD and projects in development including Buck’s THE BROKEN IMAGO. Ruggiero is a former executive at IFC and Starz whose credits include the documentaries GOING TO PIECES and BLOODSUCKING CINEMA, and currently has a number of other genre features in development. Look for lots more on THE THEATRE BIZARRE as it continues through production.

 

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