London’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest — running this year from August 22–26 — is famous for presenting exciting films from both renowned filmmakers and newer voices as well, and director Elliott Léon’s U.K. feature The Freaks of Fancy is an excellent example of the latter. Although reviews of the film are under embargo until after its world premiere at the festival, The Scariest Things can tantalize you with not one, but two trailers, and plenty of images!
Here is the official festival synopsis: 1927: Four medical graduates are invited to spend the weekend at a beautiful island mansion by their mentor, the experimental and controversial scientist Dr. Reed Wakefield. However, it soon becomes apparent that their stay was not planned for fun and games, as Wakefield’s bold actions are about to unleash terrifying consequences. A psychological, gothic horror wrapped in a superbly constructed silent movie aesthetic and just like the brilliant Guy Maddin before him, director Elliott Léon’s adult fairytale blends absurdist satire, surreal gore, wrenching melodrama and the Charleston to fashion an eerie work of nostalgia and expressionist symbolism.
For more information, visit https://frightfest.co.uk/LondonFilms2024/thefreaksoffancy/.
