SXSWorld
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U.K. Genre Favorites Break Out at SXSW 2011 by Luke Mullen exception with numerous fi lms gaining critical and audience acco- lades, while attracting the attention of distributors in the process. Two standouts were Joe Cornish's Attack the Block and Ben Wheatley's new fi lm, Kill List, which both thrilled SXSW's midnight audiences, signalling an exciting rise in the appeal of U.K. genre fi lms. Both fi lms, which screened in the Midnighters and SXFantastic sec- tions respectively, look to have big futures ahead of their successful SXSW world premieres. S From left: Michael Smiley, Andy Starke, Laurie Rose, Claire Jones and director Ben Wheatley at the Kill List Q&A. XSW has long been a proving ground for up-and-coming fi lmmakers, as well as a place for more established writers and directors to showcase their personal work. Th is year proved no Joe Cornish took SXSW by storm with his debut feature fi lm, Attack the Block. Th e fi rst screening of this alien invasion fi lm drew a sell- out crowd, with writer-director Cornish and producer Edgar Wright on hand for the introduction and post-screening Q&A. Cornish Weinberg wrote, "Kill List showcases a unique voice and a degree of confi dence that's actually pretty rare ... " while Film School Rejects' Rob Hunter called it "a twisted ride towards some intense and unset- tling entertainment." Even such industry trades as Variety and Th e Hollywood Reporter gave the fi lm high marks. Known for his work in Th e Adam and Joe Show, a U.K. cult hit, Th e buzz is certainly justifi ed. Resident FEARnet critic Scott Nick Frost, Luke Treadaway and Joe Cornish of Attack the Block. ture Down Terrace, Wheatley's Kill List was one of the most talked about fi lms of this year's festival, packing in the crowds for its second Following the success of his critically acclaimed 2009 debut fea- "... Kill List showcases a unique voice and a degree of confi dence that's actually pretty rare ... " while Film School Rejects' Rob Hunter called it "a twisted ride towards some intense and unsettling entertainment." and third screenings just from good word-of-mouth buzz. Wheatley fi elded several off ers for the fi lm, fi nally choosing IFC, which secured distribution rights to Kill List for its own genre label, IFC Midnight. 44 SXSW ORLD / M AY – J UNE 201 1 described his fi lm as a sort of "Super 8 Mile," where the story is told from the kids perspective in a way that would make Spielberg proud, but the kids themselves are a sort of street gang from South London. Th e crowd went wild for the fi lm, and the buzz that would almost overwhelm the week began in earnest that night, ultimately culminating in its win of the Audience Award for Midnight Feature. After a few post-SXSW screenings in Los Angeles, Screen Gems, by way of Sony Pictures, stepped up to purchase the rights to distribute Attack the Block in the United States, while Optimum Releasing is preparing the U.K. release this month. Th ough Attack the Block is a broader fi lm with the potential to appeal to a wider audience, while Kill List is a smaller genre fi lm with a punch-in-the-gut ending that is suited to a specifi c audience, both show the potential to appeal to a broad range of movie-goers. If you missed these wild rides at the SXSW 2011 Film festival, don't worry – you'll get your own chance to fi nd out what all of the SXSW buzz was all about. Look for a limited theatrical and VOD release for Kill List this fall, and a wide theatrical release of Attack the Block soon. ■ WILL HOLLIS SNIDER MICHAEL PAOLINI