George A. Romero’s 1978 film, ‘Dawn of the Dead’, is now revered as one of the quintessential horror films. Tomorrow night the Belfast film Festival, which began on 27 March and goes on until 4 April, will have a very special screening of the horror favourite where it can be experienced not only on the big screen but to a live, rock soundtrack.
After their sell out live performance of the score for ‘Suspiria’ in Belfast last year, the Italian progressive rock band Simonetti’s Goblin are returning to the festival. On Saturday night, they’ll be performing a soundtrack they wrote for ‘Dawn of the Dead’, in the flesh. Simonetti’s Goblin’s performance of the soundtrack to ‘Dawn of the Dead’ will be a first for Northern Ireland.
Goblin composed the score for the 1978 film, and so Simonetti’s Goblin (renamed after their drummer left) are the only people who could resurrect the thudding beats and power chords of one of the most influential soundtracks ever produced. The live performance of the soundtrack is an intense, synth-rich and unprecedentedly creepy way to experience the film.
On Tuesday 1st April, the undead arose and walked in Belfast today when zombies, flesh eaters and creatures from the crypt took to the streets of the city as part of the film festival. “There have been blood and guts everywhere,” said Damian Connor, Marketing Manager for Belfast Film Festival. “Zombies are not the easiest of characters to deal with, but it’s worth it for ‘Dawn of the Dead’.
“Screened accompanied by a live soundtrack from Claudio Simonetti, the event will be an unmissably chilling experience. There are still some tickets left, however, which can be booked at www.belfastfilmfestival.org”
This year, the Belfast Film Festival had a total of 125 films and special events, 45 shorts from 38 countries, screening across 16 venues over its 10 day run. Special screenings so far have included the Opening Gala at which ‘Road’ premiered, a documentary on motor cycle racer families narrated by Liam Neeson; exclusive previews from the first episode of ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 4; and a screening of ‘Groundhog Day’ in Belfast City Hall. Hitchcock’s ‘Dial M For Murder’ will be shown in 3D to close the festival.
Tickets for the ‘Dawn of the Dead’ event can be purchased online, by phone at 028 9023 9026, or at the event at the Waterfront box office up to half an hour before the event.
