Hey folks, Harry here with the announcement of the opening night film at this year's FANTASTIC FEST. Matt Reeves' remake of former Fantastic Fest film, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. That's right, LET ME IN is going to get the festivities going - and I know right now there's hesitation about a remake that many feel is questionable... And nowhere was that more tangible than when Tim League & I sat down to screen the film for the festival. At that point, we were angling towards another flick to kick things off. It was midnight about a month and a half ago. There were just four of us there in the Drafthouse South - and we were all talking about how we hoped Drew McWeeny wasn't insane. He'd seen the film and inferred that in many ways it was superior to the original. We were speculating about medicinal marijuana and the effects upon reviewing... but then the movie started. As the film ended, Tim and I were overjoyed. When you're putting a festival together - it is sometimes quite difficult to find the exact right vibe to kick things off with - and LET ME IN hit all the right notes. LET ME IN feels like the most disturbing version of E.T. where instead of finding a benevolent flower empowering alien, you found a very young very old spirited girl that becomes your only best friend. The great thing is that the violence in the film comes in a furious release that makes ya go, "HOLY SHIT!" Not just due to gore and blood... but because you care for the characters and their genuine innocence makes the violence more intense. The film is genuinely scary. Just wait for the scene in the hospital. Sheesh. For an American Audience - these two leads - and even the bully kids - are going to enrapture those that check LET ME IN out. They're very naturalistic and charming. Tim and I instantly recognized that this is that perfect film to kick our fest off with because it shows us a new angle on Matt Reeves as a director. CLOVERFIELD in no way informs the visual style of LET ME IN. This film feels like a great 80's genre effort. It is even set in the early 80s in a wintery New Mexico. I'm looking forward to seeing the final version of the film and we're very excited to kick FANTASTIC FEST off with this, here's the official announcement...
FANTASTIC FEST 2010 ANNOUNCES "LET ME IN" FOR OPENING NIGHT The U.S. Premiere Will Open Fantastic Fest on Thursday, September 23 Austin, TX---Tuesday, August 17, 2010--- Fantastic Fest is pleased to announce the opening night film will be the U.S. premiere of the highly anticipated Let Me In, directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and starring Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island) and Richard Jenkins (The Visitor). The red carpet event will take place on Thursday, September 23 at The Paramount Theatre with director Matt Reeves and cast members in attendance. Let Me In is a terrifying tale about an alienated 12-year old (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who is viciously bullied by his classmates and neglected by his divorcing parents. Achingly lonely, Owen spends his days plotting revenge on his middle school tormentors and his evenings spying on the other inhabitants of his apartment complex. His only friend is his new neighbor Abby (Chloe Moretz), an eerily self-possessed young girl who lives next door with her silent father (Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins). "We are truly honored that Fantastic Fest has chosen to open their festival with the U.S. premiere of Let Me In. It is incredibly exciting to be able to present the film to an audience who I know are just as passionate about John Ajvide Linqvist's story as I am," said director Matt Reeves. "Fantastic Fest has been following the development of this movie with rabid interest and we couldn’t be more excited to share what Matt Reeves has up his sleeve in adapting this incredible story. We anticipate that this will solidify his place as a visionary genre artist," said Fantastic Fest co-founder Tim League. And more than anything Fantastic Fest is ecstatic to see vampires doing what they do best – horrifying us with their bloodlust. Fantastic Fest is also cooking up a gorgeous Mondo poster for Let Me In from artist Olly Moss. Fantastic Fest is scouring the globe for the very best in action, horror, science fiction, fantasy to the truly bizarre in contemporary cinema for your viewing pleasure. Look for more announcements in the weeks to come, including information on our gala events, parties and AMD Next Wave filmmakers in attendance. Fantastic Fest is the film festival with the boring parts cut out. Miss this one and your regrets will agonize you for years to come. You have been warned. For photos of Let Me In, visit here For more photos from Fantastic Fest, visit: here
