FrightFest’s annual Halloween event took place on Saturday 29th October and as always THN were there to cover. In addition to releasing reviews for films that screened we spent the day talking to all the super talented cast and crew in attendance to present their movies. The first film of the day was the concert documentary Tripping the Dark Fantastic.
Directed and edited by Lola Gunn, Tripping the Dark Fantastic casts Gunn’s husband Simon Boswell into the spotlight. Boswell is a renowned film composer whose vast career has seen him work with directors including Danny Boyle, Clive Barker, and Giallo legend, Dario Argento. In Tripping the Dark Fantastic Lola Gunn blends a fantastic live performance of composer Simon Boswell and his 12-piece band, Caduta Massi, with interviews of artists that he has collaborated with. The concert features music from Phenomena, Demons 2, Lord of Illusions, Santa Sangre, StageFright, and many more.
Lola Gunn isn’t content to merely represent the concert with some interview pieces stitched around them. Instead, Gunn layers various angles captured at the live show upon one another. Dancers jump and girate atop Simon whilst he is conducting and the band is playing, the once separate components of the concert bleeding together to heighten the atmosphere and tone. The movie clips are weaved in and out, and the whole production casts Boswell’s music into a new light. Tripping the Dark Fantastic is easily one of the most avant-garde and artistic concert videos that you are likely to watch.
Tripping the Dark Fantastic received its World Premiere at FrightFest Halloween and both Simon Boswell and Lola Gunn were in attendance. We spoke with the husband and wife team on the media wall to find out more about Tripping the Dark Fantastic, find out what they had to say about their collaboration, and the importance of score music in the videos underneath.
Simon Boswell
Lola Gunn
Tripping the Dark Fantastic screened at FrightFest Halloween 2022.
