Showing on Friday at 9.30pm, the horror film was written and directed by Dane, Lars von Trier, who has won critical acclaim for previous projects; Breaking The Waves, Dancer In The Dark and Dogville. When screened at Cannes at least four people fainted during the preview of Anti-Christ due to the film's explicit violence. Anti-Christ sees a couple who, after the death of their child, retreat to a cabin in the woods where they encounter strange and terrifying occurrences.
The film stars only two actors, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe.
Since premiering at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival where Gainsbourg won the festival's award for Best Actress, the film has come under attack for what some critics view as misogyny, as well as for featuring explicit sexual violence. At the same time many critics have also praised the film for its visuals and serious approach.
Giving the film four stars, critic, Kim Newman of Empire magazine comments that: "A star rating is not much help, since von Trier's self-conscious arrogance is calculated to split audiences into extremist factions, but Antichrist delivers enough beauty, terror and wonder to qualify as the strangest and most original horror movie of the year."
Festival Director and Programmer, Bernie McLaughlin explains why the festival team felt the film should be included in the programme: "Film can reflect the best and worst of us and often filmmakers can use sensational themes to capture the audience's attention. While Anti-Christ has received its fair share of controversy, the response in Cannes dictates that people make up their own mind on the film. Cinema's purpose is not only to entertain, but also to challenge paradigms and create discussion. In this Anti-Christ delivers."
For more information on Foyle Film Festival log on to www.foylefilmfestival.org.uk or contact the Nerve Centre on 028 7126 7432.