I recently caught up with Monsters & Martians International Science Fiction Film Festival director Nadia Sandhu to discuss the upcoming fest – the first of its kind in Canada – and the state of science fiction as we head into another jam packed holiday season at the box office.
Monsters and Martians runs at the Projection Booth in Toronto from Thursday, December 6th, up to and including Sunday, December 9th. Tickets and more info.
Why Monsters & Martians?
If you are going to launch Canada’s first all science fiction film festival, you need to have a memorable name and this one evolved from a popular Saturday night series we ran at Projection Booth earlier this year. In fact, we hosted an Earth Day Party which featured Gozilla vs the Smog Monster and Turkish Star Wars on May the 4th Be With You under this banner.
Star Wars Episode VII. How does that make you feel?
I am a Star Wars nut but the recent 3D re-release of the Phantom Menace made me realize that you can love something to distraction but one day love just dies. I feel like Rhett Butler at the end of Gone With the Wind. I’m just so drained.
If I may be so bold, however, I am disappointed that we are finally getting Episode VII now that Luke and Leia need walkers and Han is the in the retirement home. I truly dread the obligatory Luke becomes Ben Kenobi in a sacrifice scene. At this point I’d rather see a reboot of the prequel trilogy. Yes, a reboot. With a real story and real conflict, and a badass Anakin Skywalker and writers who actually have a clue how the story ends. And Ben doesn’t know about there being TWINS dammit.
What do you think about The Hobbit in 48fps?
Dear God. I cannot with another digital vs 35mm debate. What I can tell you is that I fully intend to see this film on opening night for the Man of Steel trailer and the first nine minutes of Star Trek: Into the Darkness. I can’t promise I will stay for the film because try as I might I just can’t seem to make myself care about it. Odd when you consider I met an ex-boyfriend because of my enthusiasm for a just about to be released Return of the King.
As Festival Director, did you get time to make programming suggestions or was that left to Head Programmer Gareth McGorman?
I really wanted to break the mold and showcase a web series rather than host the obligatory shorts showcase, ergo Heroes of the North on Sunday afternoon. Having something of a Super Hero fetish, and having worked with Jason Mewes, I was hot to trot on the first SModcast release “Alter Egos” which pairs really well with our web series for a Super Sunday Afternoon at the movies.
Name a hidden sci fi film gem.
Starman starring Jeff Bridges. Go see it. I dare you not to get teary at the end.
Full disclosure: I am Nadia Sandhu, Festival Director and Co-Founder of Monsters & Martians and owner of Projection Booth Cinemas.
Monsters and Martians runs at the Projection Booth in Toronto from Thursday, December 6th, up to and including Sunday, December 9th. Tickets and more info.
Entertainment Maven 