As previously announced in July, the SLASH Retrospective 2026 ventures into uncharted territory and explores the North American grindhouse cinema culture. This culture flourished beginning in the early 1960s, particularly in New York City (42nd Street): Outside the bounds of official or legal regulations, the so-called grindhouses screened independent exploitation films—a canvas for repressed desires and forbidden emotions, often pushing the boundaries of good taste. This year’s retrospective aims to evoke the spirit of this cinematic culture and engage it in a dialogue with contemporary sensibilities.
On display are 16 works, presented on 35-mm film whenever possible. The entire retrospective is subject to strict age restrictions (18+); some screenings can only be attended in conjunction with their film studies introduction.
The retrospective program is rounded out by the following eight titles:
TWO THOUSAND MANIACS!
(US 1964, R: Herschell Gordon Lewis)
I DRINK YOUR BLOOD
(US 1971, R: David E. Durston)
BLACULA
(US 1972, R: William Crain)
(c) Image courtesy of Park Circus/Amazon MGM Studios
THE LAST HOUSE ON DEAD END STREET
(US 1973, R: Roger Watkins)
FEMMES DE SADE
(US 1976, R: Alex de Renzy)
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
(US 1977, R: Robert A. Endelson)
MANIAC
(US 1980, R: William Lustig)
THE NEW YORK RIPPER
(IT 1982, R: Lucio Fulci)
The Complete SLASH Retrospective 2026:
TWO THOUSAND MANIACS! (US 1964, R: Herschell Gordon Lewis)
VAPORS (Kurzfilm, US 1965, R: Andy Milligan)
I DRINK YOUR BLOOD (US 1971, R: David E. Durston)
BLACULA (US 1972, R: William Crain)
FLESHPOT ON 42ND STREET (US 1972, R: Andy Milligan)
LOVE ME DEADLY (US 1972, R: Jacques Lacerte)
THE LAST HOUSE ON DEAD END STREET (US 1973, R: Roger Watkins)
ILSA, SHE-WOLF OF THE SS (CA 1975, R: Don Edmonds)
FEMMES DE SADE (US 1976, R: Alex de Renzy)
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE (US 1977, R: Robert A. Endelson)
A WOMAN’S TORMENT (US 1977, R: Roberta Findlay)
THE DRILLER KILLER (US 1979, R: Abel Ferrara)
MANIAC (US 1980, R: William Lustig)
BASKET CASE (US 1982, R: Frank Henenlotter)
THE NEW YORK RIPPER (IT 1982, R: Lucio Fulci)
THE DEADLY SPAWN (US 1983, R: Douglas McKeown)