We are finally able to present the Festival Motif 2025, which was once again created by the amazing Elias Fleischer. Please take a look:
(c) Illustration: Elias Fleischer | HYPHE
Abschlussfilm: THE PIANO ACCIDENT BY QUENTIN DUPIEUX
This year’s closing film comes from one of our favorite madmen, Quentin Dupieux. With THE PIANO ACCIDENT, the maestro of the absurd delivers a psychological duel (starring Adèle Exarchopoulos) that takes on Hitchcockian traits, and not just because of the “sounds” of the maltreated piano in the background. At the center of it all: a social media star being blackmailed by a journalist, a personal assistant who has to deal with his boss’s airs and graces, and two airheads blinded by the idol’s glamour.
THE PIANO ACCIDENT (2025 FR, R: Quentin Dupieux)
Shark Alarm:
DANGEROUS ANIMALS and HOT SPRING SHARK ATTACK
In 2025, shark action galore is on the SLASH menu, which includes the Austrian premiere of one of the most biting dorsal fin shockers since JAWS. In DANGEROUS ANIMALS (presented by FM4, theatrical release: September 25), surfer Zephyr (Hassie Harrison) falls into the clutches of shark fanatic Tucker (Jai Courtney in his best role to date) on Australia’s Gold Coast and soon realizes that even on the high seas, humans are still the only true monsters.
DANGEROUS ANIMALS (2025 AU/US/CA, R: Sean Byrne) © 2025 Constantin Film Distribution GmbH
The second shark title in the program, the Japanese trash extravaganza HOT SPRING SHARK ATTACK, is completely bonkers. A gang of prehistoric monster sharks awakens and terrorizes a small coastal town known for its hot springs. The corrupt mayor sees his planned luxury resort in danger and rallies a group of oddballs to defend it. SHARKNADO can pack its bags!
HOT SPRING SHARK ATTACK (2024 JP, R: Morito Inoue)
THE TOXIC AVENGER and more film highlights
A highlight eagerly awaited by SLASH fans finally hits the big screen after a long period of distribution hell: Macon Blair’s remake of THE TOXIC AVENGER (presented by oeticket, theatrical release: October 2), the original of which is already a good 40 years old. Peter Dinklage mutates into the bumpy protagonist Winston Gooze after an accident with radioactive waste and gets to rip off limbs as the nemesis of ruthless corporate bosses. In addition to plenty of practical gore effects, the supporting cast is also impressive: Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood, among others, make an appearance as the baddies.
THE TOXIC AVENGER (2023 US, R: Macon Blair) © TM & © 2025 Legendary. All Rights Reserved.
In rare cases, 15 years is enough to justify a remake. But only if it adds a demonic goat to the plot and is as much fun as HANDSOME GUYS, the Korean reincarnation of TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL. As in the cult hit from 2010, the two somewhat rough-hewn but kind-hearted protagonists are suspected of being cold-blooded killers – in the new version, their peace in the woods is additionally disrupted by dark forces.
HANDSOME GUYS (2024 KR, R: Nam Dong-hyup)
The video game The Exit 8 has been downloaded millions of times and has long been considered a cult game: while wandering through white-tiled underground subway corridors, the goal is to discover anomalies in places you have already passed through in order to find the exit. Director Genki Kawamura stays visually very close to the original in his film version EXIT 8 and spins the simple premise into a surreal psychological thriller starring Japanese star Kazunari Ninomiya in the lead role.
EXIT 8 (2025 JP, R: Genki Kawamura)