‘The Dark Fantastic’ to Dazzle Raindance Audiences

Cosmic Buzz Films is set to ignite the Raindance Film Festival with the UK premiere of The Dark Fantastic on 26 June. Directed by Dutch multidisciplinary artist Lg White, this hallucinatory music documentary plunges into the mind and work of cult British composer Simon Boswell. Best known for his groundbreaking scores on over 150 films, Boswell has long been a defining voice in horror and fantasy cinema. Now, under White’s colourful lens, his story unfolds in an audiovisual trip that promises to be unlike any concert or documentary you’ve ever seen.

Shot across landmark venues and feature film sets, The Dark Fantastic weaves together archive footage, live performances and contributions from icons such as Iggy Pop, Dolly Parton and Ewan McGregor. Boswell’s own reflections on his journey – from composing in Chopin and Mozart styles as a child to crafting apocalyptic soundscapes for Lord of Illusions and Hardware – anchor the film. His voice resonates through scenes of pulsing synthesiser rhythms and lush orchestral swells, demonstrating a restless creativity that has powered everything from Argento’s Phenomena to modern video games.

White’s direction pushes this story into unexpected territory. In conversation with Boswell, she explores how the composer’s “dark side” inspired his most daring work and why he likens his creative drive to “Pink Floyd meets the Velvet Underground, conducted by Bernard Herrmann on acid.” That spirit of experimentation carries through to an immersive live segment featuring Boswell’s band Caduta Massi performing against a backdrop of live video art.

Raindance’s Horror Strand has expanded this year to embrace films that probe the subconscious and challenge genre conventions. The Dark Fantastic fits perfectly within that remit, inviting audiences to experience music as a cinematic force in its own right. Festival delegates and industry insiders will have the first opportunity to witness Boswell’s legacy on screen and in sound.

Lg White herself arrives at Raindance fresh from nominations for Best Director in a UK Feature. Her fusion of fine art and cinema shines in every frame of The Dark Fantastic, turning Boswell’s biography into a psychedelic journey through film history. With appearances by filmmakers and musicians who have collaborated with Boswell – among them Clive Barker, Dario Argento, Álex de la Iglesia and Dave Rowntree – the film becomes a communal celebration of artistry.

The Dark Fantastic will screen on 26 June at Vue Piccadilly, followed by a Q&A with director Lg White and Simon Boswell. Tickets are available via the Raindance website. For music and film fans, this is an unmissable chance to explore the creative spark that has refused to behave for more than four decades.

For more information on the film and the event, plus to get tickets, visit: raindance.org/

The Dark Fantastic trailer