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Ant Timpson talks Incredibly Strange


Ant Timpson

Ant Timpson, programmer of the Incredibly Strange section, answers our Q&A as we gear up for the NZ International Film Festival.

2011 NZ Fest is here - what's it going to bring us?
Well most importantly it's bringing the Incredibly Strange section to audiences again. The festival is like some majestic blue whale and the Incredibly Strange section is this weird sucker fish who latches on and drains the blood out of its host.

How have the pickings been this year?
It's a pretty solid lineup if I can take off my carny hyperbole hat for a second. I honestly think that this year's Incredibly Strange section is the strongest we've ever had since being absorbed into the
NZ International Film Festival.

What's the one film which slipped through your fingers which you're gutted we're not seeing - and why?
Attack the Block was looking good for awhile. Edgar Wright got hold of me and said you gotta see it and play it. Well he would say that, cos he's the producer!  But from all accounts the film delivers, unfortunately the distributors had other plans for it. No matter how much we cry like babies they stand firm.

What surprised you about this year's films?
Well I don't want to put people off but there is some extreme violence in some very good films this year. It wasn't intentional to make it a violent selection it just sort of worked out that way. This is
definitely the most bloodiest lineup in the festival's history. Thank god for THE INNKEEPERS and TROLL HUNTER that provide some big laughs alongside the carnage.

What was the worst film you saw for selection - and how tempted were you to include it anyway?
That's tough as I don't really watch too much sh*t in terms of festival selection. I have a pretty good idea of the ones I need to check out and so I don't wade through countless junk titles. Films
like BIRDEMIC or THE ROOM are anomalies, they don't come each year. They weren't joking when they compare awful films like THE ROOM to CITIZEN KANE. They are mirror opposites and as rare as each other. It's the mediocre you have to avoid.

Any New Zealand entrants into the section this year?
No NZ films this year and I do feel bad about that as there were a surprising number of digital independent films made. The reality of the situation is that I distance myself from relationships with
filmmakers when it comes to selection and just base it on what I think audiences will like. Sure programmers select films they think are worthy but I programme for the audience first and then me second. Well most of the time. 
Sometimes these digital features seem a bit narrow in terms of a waiting audience for them. It still seems crazy that if they don't get into the NZFF then filmmakers sometimes think that's it. Making the film is only half the battle. If you want it screened then go get it screened. It's the true test of whether there is an audience for your film. Sometimes the realisation that follows is a rude but necessary awakening for folks.

One film we're unlikely to see is the sequel to last year's talked about Human Centipede - how do you feel about that being banned?
Well the sequel has been refused classification which is different from being banned. Its passed in Australia and it'll be available everywhere. Attempting to ban anything in the age of the internet is
simply good marketing.

What's the one film which you think will leap up, slaps us across the face and says "You'd better see me or else..." this year?
Has to be the utterly deranged HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN. The whole story of how this project came to be is a great story in itself. The director won an online trailer competition for Quentin Tarantino's & Robert Rodriguez's GRINDHOUSE. He then parlayed that notoriety into a full blown feature starring Rutger Hauer. Just a beautiful blood soaked ending. Nearly makes you cry.

What plans for next year's festival - you know, given it's 2012/ Doomsday...
A Post Apocalyptic movie retrospective of course.


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