Poole Literary Festival is combining (dark) forces with the Purbeck Film Festival to bring a spectacular finale to both festivals, the date falling by blood curdling coincidence on* October 31st*! Halloween means horror, the Purbeck Film Festival focuses on everything cinematic and the Poole Literary Festival celebrates the written, spoken and performed word. Bring this unholy trio together and what do you get?…

…A fantastic double-feature film bill. So soak up the atmosphere in true Halloween style, in the original surroundings of probably the best little cinema in the world – the hauntingly majestic and once gas-lit Rex cinema in the terrifyingly ancient town of Wareham! In keeping with the traditionally mysterious nature of the last night in October the titles of the films cannot be revealed!

Film Clues
Here are a few clues, so get your thinking caps on and have a stab at guessing the titles for this chilling event. Email your best guess at the names of the films to be shown to Gary All entries will be entered into a raffle prize draw.

The author who wrote the world famous book on which the first film is based is buried, with the heart of her poet husband, in the graveyard of St. Peter’s Church in Bournemouth. This film was made in 1931, remains one of the most acclaimed horror films ever, and had seven sequels. This is a rare opportunity to see a genuine Golden Age Hollywood classic on the silver screen!

The second film tells the story of the night in June 1816 which led to the writing of the book on which the first film is based! This very gothic tale was directed by a world renowned and often devilishly controversial music loving director who was born in Southampton and has lived in the New Forest for many years, if you Ken! The screening also serves as a tribute to the wonderful actress Natasha Richardson, who died tragically last year.

Special Panel Discussion
Before the films there will be a special panel discussion hosted by Paul Kelly with guests Christine Aziz, Gary Dalkin and John Foster.

Christine Aziz’ novel, The Olive Readers won the Richard and Judy novel writing competition in 2005. An expert on Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, Christine’s plays Mary Shelley Goes to Hollywood and Soul Post have been performed in Dorset and earlier this month she organised the Mary Shelley Festival in Bournemouth, for which she wrote and directed its performance events.

Gary Dalkin is a former editor of Vector: The Critical Journal of the British Science Fiction Association and judge of the Arthur C. Clarke Award. He has written on science fiction and horror for Empire, SFX, Interzone, DeathRay and Matrix and interviewed such writers and actors as Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Christopher Priest (The Prestige) and Colin Baker (Doctor Who).

John Foster has written for TV series including Z-Cars, Softly Softly, Crown Court, Emmerdale, Juliet Bravo, Rockliffe and The Bill. His Omnibus documentary about Raymond Chandler won a BAFTA and he is the writer of Five Go Killing, his Bournemouth-set new play premiering at the PLF on 30 October. John wrote the Patrick Swayze drama Letters from a Killer.

Due to the shocking, horrifying and disturbing nature of this programme admission is strictly for over 18’s only!

Doors open at the Rex Cinema, Wareham at 9.30pm.

Admission by donation on the door to the Poole Literary Festival/Purbeck Film Festival (suggested donation £6.00).
A donation to the festivals to see the films will automatically enter you into the raffle prize draw on the night.

Panel discussion at 10pm. First film – 10.30pm. Second film on the stroke of Midnight!