LOCAL ACCENT
In addition to “Sexy Killer” and “Santos,” Sitges boasts the following Spanish preems:
- Luis Calvo Ramos’ “Prime Time,” about a life-or-death TV gameshow
- Albert Arizza’s “Ramirez,” an offbeat portrait of a serial killer
- Gonzalo Lopez’s Polanski-esque “Embrion”
UP FOR GRABS
Underscoring just how tough Spain has become as a market, most heavyweights — “Vinyan,” “Martyrs,” “Tokyo!” “Eden Lake,” “The Good the Bad the Weird,” “The Chaser” — haven’t yet sold to Spain. That could spark more, not fewer, deals at the fest as well-received films are picked up.
RUMOR HAS IT
Among the films building good word of mouth:
- Guy Ritchie’s returns to gangster form in “RocknRolla”
- Jean-Claude Van Damme spoofs his persona in “JCVD”
- A parasite terrifies a couple in Toby Wilkins’ “Splinter”
- Romantic and horror collide in Tomas Alfredson’s “Let the Right One In”
- Gay zombies stalk Bruce La Bruce’s “Otto; or, Up With Dead People”
- Mass paralysis sweeps Berlin in Marc Robert’s “Able”
SHORTS STOP
Don’t overlook the competition shorts. Many — including “Lazarus Taxon,” “Cotton Candy,” “Full Employment” — are said to be standouts.
