Weird Worcester 2 brings cult film stars to the Midlands
After the success of last year’s Weird Worcester event, Midlands boutique Blu-ray label Treasured Films has announced the second edition.
Running on the 18th and 19th of July at the University of Worcester Arena, the event will give genre fans the opportunity to get autographs and pictures with their favourite cult film actors, as well as peruse the range of merchandise stalls – including, of course, Treasured Films and its sister company, the import business Film Treasures.
This year, the guests include Vernon Wells, who went up against Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando, and had roles in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, InnerSpace and Weird Science. Horror legend Mick Garris, who directed Psycho IV: The Beginning, Critters 2: The Main Course and Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers, amongst others, will also be attendance.
Making his first UK convention appearance, Patrick Kilpatrick (Death Warrant, Scanner Cop II, The Toxic Avenger) will be there, alongside the Qissi brothers; martial artists and perpetual enemies to Jean-Claude Van Damme. Also making his first UK appearance is Al Cliver (The Beyond, The Devil Hunter, Endgame), as well as Italian cinema mainstay Ian McCulloch (Zombie, Zombie Holocaust, Contamination).
Another Zombie alumni, actor and stuntman Ottaviano Dell'Acqua is coming along and so is the legendary Caroline Munro (Slaughter High, Maniac, Dracula A.D. 1972). Director Luigi Cozzi (Contamination, The Killer Must Kill Again, Starcrash) will come over from Italy, as will Zora Kerova, who starred in some of the most controversial films of the video nasty era.
You may not know the face, but you’ve certainly heard Simon Boswell, who scored a host of cult and Hollywood productions, including Demons 2, Santa Sangre and Shallow Grave. He’s joined by Fabio Testi (What Have You Done to Solange?, Contraband, The Big Racket) and Melvin Hayes (Carry on England, The Curse of Frankenstein, The Flesh and the Fiends).
Finally, returning after last year’s event, director Enzo G. Castellari, who helmed one of Treasured Films’ first releases, The Last Shark, will be back.
Artists in attendance
Alongside the stars of cult cinema, visitors will have the chance to meet some of the people behind the legendary film posters. Graham Humphreys will at the event, as will Uncle Frank and Darren Ward, who will be available to sign copies of Treasured Films’ latest boxset Gialli, Guns and Gore: The Brutal Films of Darren Ward.
Tickets are priced at £47 for both days, increasing to £57 for priority visitors. Children between 10 and 16 can enter for £30 for the weekend. Day tickets start at £26. Photoshoots can also be booked through the website.
Alongside the event, the Vue Cinema in Worcester will be holding a special screening of Critters 2 with Mick Garris in attendance. Tickets are only available to Weird Worcester ticketholders
For more information go to www.treasuredfilms.co.uk/weirdworcester
Matt Tilt
