Hi, this is Daniel Garber at the Movies for culturalmining.com and CIUT 89.5 FM.

The Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF), has for years brought Italian movies for Torontonians to enjoy each summer. But over the past few years it has expanded with screenings across the country, and new programs spanning all of multicultural Canada, a wonderful, feel-good celebration of love and cooperation. But one of the newest programs takes another path, one filled with shock, mystery and horror, with bold and edgy stories, something known as… The Dark Side!

This year’s selections for The Dark Side consists of three films: Borderline, The Weekend, and Dario Argento’s iconic Deep Red. It is programmed by Canadian horror-meister Chris Alexander, known for such films as Necropolis: Legion, Queen of Blood, and Female Werewolf. Chris is a producer, director, writer and composer. He’s also a former film critic and was the Editor-in-Chief of Fangoria — the behind-the-scenes bible of the horror industry and those who love it. These films are part of the ICFF Lavazza IncluCity Festival playing outdoors, after dark, all summer long in Toronto’s Distillery District.

I talked with Chris Alexander in Oakville, Ontario via ZOOM. He spoke about his love of horror, the origins of giallo, Dario Argento, Cocaine Bear, Nollywood… and more!

The Dark Side series is playing at the ICFF Lavazza IncluCity Festival on March 4, 5 and 12.