Dark Carnival to frighten, entertain

Nowhere else is there a place one can see a demon leaning against a car and sipping a beer as a bearded woman saunters throughout a crowd of people. 

Thursday night, the Dark Carnival Film Festival kicked off its first major event of a six-day long schedule of horror film screenings and performances at the Starlite Drive-In Theatre. The festival started Tuesday and runs through Sunday.

“From my understanding of it, it’s really unique in terms of its size and its independence for this type of event,” moviegoer and supporter Liz Lad said. “And we’re really lucky to have this in Bloomington.”

Featuring more than 40 original films, the festival got its start about four years ago. David Pruett, Dark Carnival Film Festival organizer, had intentions of creating a one-day local independent film festival, but with such great response, expanded to a longer event.

“Ours is really one of the true film festivals in the Midwest,” Pruett said.

Thursday’s festival featured the film “Shuteye Hotel,” filmed by Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton. The screening was delayed because of an electrical power outage.

Performances and sideshows opened the evening. Moviegoers could get henna tattoos or watch the Indianapolis-based performers Seamstress Scavengers, who drummed on various spray-painted household items while wearing gas masks and combat boots.

Attendees could also enjoy pizza and refreshments while watching the Dark Side Tribal Belly Dance Troupe perform. The dancers wore brightly colored dresses, jewels on their faces and feathers and flowers in their hair. This was the first year they performed at the Dark Carnival Film Festival, said dancer Grace MacNeil.

Others simply dressed in gory costumes, and one man allowed attendees to pet and hold the boa constrictor draped around his neck. A clown with an oversized head and hands wove throughout the crowd. Meanwhile, a bulge-eyed man wearing a black straightjacket screamed at passers by.

Ken Foree, an actor best known for his roles in “Dawn of the Dead” and Rob Zombie’s “Halloween,” made an appearance.

Film festivals such as this help creative people have opportunities to promote what they’re doing, Foree said. It helps to keep independent filmmakers networking with one another.

“I mean, it’s just fun to get together and watch scary films and stuff you don’t usually get to see,” attendee Kyle Clark said.

Friday night, there will be a live performance by Race Bannon and a special performance by First Jason at Uncle Fester’s.

“If you’re a fan of slasher films, we’ve got some of those,” Pruett said. “But if you’re a fan of suspense films, we’ve got some of those, too.”