Grimmfest’s Grim Tidings from Mark O’Brien writer and director of The Righteous

Grimmfest is back and even better than ever with more movies and madness to make the 13th edition one to remember. Taking place between the 7th to the 10th of October at Odeon Great Northern in Manchester UK there is also a hybrid online Grimmfest edition running 14th to the 17th Oct for people unable to attend the cinema event. You can find the full 2021 line up right HERE.

Recently voted one of best genre film festivals in the World by Movie maker magazine, Grimmfest is a truly independent film festival that started in 2009. Since then the fantastic festival has grown to become one of the most prestigious genre film festivals in Europe premiering the very best new movies from both new and established filmmakers from across the world.

This year our exclusive interview feature is back bringing you some insidious insights into the frightful folks whose horror films will be blowing audiences away at Grimmfest 2021.

Below we get some Grim Tidings from Mark O’Brien writer and director of The Righteous

1. Tell us why you are at Grimmfest?
My film, THE RIGHTEOUS, has been selected into the festival and I couldn’t be more excited. The film is a psychological horror which examines the nature of sin and how it manifests itself.

2. How did you get into horror?
I was always fascinated by horror of the psychological sort. Films like PERSONA, THE INNOCENTS, THE HAUNTING, ROSEMARY’S BABY always stuck with me more than the slasher or more gratuitous films. I love the lasting power of these films. They get in your bones and you can’t get them out. Dread and existential burden are much scarier to me than a chainsaw.

3. What scares you the most?
Chainsaws. I’m joking. Being in a plane that’s going down is the most terrifying thing I can think of.

4. Who or what is your favourite horror character?
Seth Brundle from THE FLY immediately comes to mind. I’ve never thought I could feel so much sympathy for a mangled fly by the end of that film, but here we are! Also Harry Powell from NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. And of course Ruth Gordon’s character from ROSEMARY’S BABY.

5. What is the grimmest thing you ever saw?
Honestly, I first time I saw JAWS and I saw that kid being bitten by the shark and the blood spraying in the air. It’s an image I still can’t get out of my head.

The Righteous plays on Sun, Oct 10th, 2:30 PM @ Odeon Screen 5 and you can find out more and book your ticket HERE.