Lucid Nightmare Program

Night is not an absence it is daytime that is a looming darkness…

— Guillermo del Toro

Contents

The Festival The Films The Details 9BACKGROUND 20CRONOS 34LODGING 11EVENTS 22PAN’S LABYRINTH 36DINING 12DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY 24THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE 38ATTRACTIONS 17SCHEDULE 28HELLBOY 30HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

The Festival



Behind this door, a dark entity. Evil, ancient, and hungry. —AbeSapien LUCID NIGHTMARE

Background Although del Toro participates in several festivals every year, Lucid Nightmare is the Films have the power to change us — the only film festival that is dedicated solely to right movie at the right time can unleash a Guillermo del Toro’s films — and our obses- lifelong love affair with a particular genre or sion with monsters. The festival will be held director. Guillermo del Toro had one of those on October 11th – 12th in celebration of del moments when he was six years old and first Toro’s birthday and 13 years to the day when saw Frankenstein (1931). He remembers the Pan’s Labyrinth first premiered in Mexico. experience like this: It will be held at Halcyon Days Cider Co. in the orchard, the films will be screened in the I swear the moment Boris Karloff crosses center of the 1.7 mile long labyrinth that is the threshold and his eyes are in ecstasy— made from more than 2,000 apple trees. they are looking up like the sculpture of St. Teresa by Bernini—it was like Paul on the road to Damascus. I was struck. I said, “This is the guy that is going to give his life for my sins. This is the one that the Bible speaks of. This is the Messiah that has been promised.” The way martyrdom is presented in the Bible is really hard to decipher when you are a kid, but there was a state of grace to the way Boris played the Creature. And I thought, “He is not going to last. Such purity cannot last in the world of men.” And sure enough, it did not. Frankenstein’s creation was the beginning of del Toro’s love affair with monsters. For many others, Guillermo del Toro’s films are the beginning for them. Lucid Nightmare Film Festival was created in 2018 to help celebrate del Toro’s accomplishments. FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO



Events hooded eyes and gaping fangs. The head of Frankenstein’s monster floats, disembodied Questions & Answers Panel and huge, a story above it. Peering at you Among the most creative and visionary artist from the living room, his fingers paging through working today, Guillermo del Toro will discuss a book, is the early-20th-century horror nov- his prolific career turning horror, fairy tales, elist H.P­ . Lovecraft. On a Victorian sofa, a and the supernatural into world-class film- demented doll stares down a bronze gargan- making with critically acclaimed actor and tua, Uncle Creepy and Cousin Eerie. A haunted producer Ron Perlman. house put together by Guillermo del Toro himself, and featuring many items from his Del Toro earned widespread acclaim and personal collection from Bleak House. multiple Academy Award® wins for 2006 fan- tasy drama, Pan’s Labyrinth. His 2018 film, Troll Market The Shape of Water, won four Academy Awards Wander through an actual troll market — including Best Director and Best Picture. inspired and decorated like a del Toro movie Together, these two storytellers will give set that integrates the ordinary and extraor- audiences an exclusive look into Guillermo’s dinary, diving into an extended scene set in a creative process. troll market barely hidden behind the façade of a typical city street. Ghost Tour of Lexington Have you ever wanted to walk through the Costume Contest streets of a historic town at night and discover A costume contest will be held to reward the it’s hidden secrets? Then allow our expert best costumes on October 12th. This is one storytellers to guide you on a candlelit walk of the highlights of our festival. Make sure to through Lexington, while they share many join in on the fun and parade your cosplay in strange stories and other-worldly happenings front of fans and del Toro himself for a that have occurred over the years. chance to win cash and a trophy! Haunted House Welcome to Guillermo del Toro’s imagination. The door swings open and there, surrounded by blood-red walls, is a hellhound with four FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO

Biography they tell the truth, not organized politics, reli- gion, or economics. Those things destroy the Film maker, author, actor, screenwriter, and soul. That is the idea … to some degree, in all former special effects makeup artist Guillermo my films.” del Toro was born on October 9th, 1964 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He was raised Del Toro’s first real break came when his film in a very strict Catholic household with his Cronos (1993) won nine Ariel Awards, and grandmother acting as matriarch. His love of was recognized at the Cannes Film Festival. the macabre from an early age was a source He was approached by Miramax to create of contention between the two. In an inter- the film Mimic (1997). He often goes back and view with Terry Gross, del Toro said that his forth between creating Hollywood action mov- grandmother would require him to mortify ies and Spanish-language dark fantasy pieces. himself in self-punishment, in one case plac- ing metal bottle caps into his shoes so that He ended up leaving Mexico and moving to the soles of his feel were bloodied while the United States because after he gained walking to school. some fame from Mimic, his father was kid- napped and held for 72 days before he was She also tried to exorcise him twice because able to pay the ransom and free his father. of his persistent interest in fantasy and draw- ing monsters from his imagination. These Del Toro’s work tends to try to infuse beauty monsters and fantasy world were ways for in what would usually be considered grotesque. him to deal with the horrors he saw growing His lifelong fascination with monsters is evi- up in Guadalajara. dent in all of his films and he often uses insect-like figures along side religious imag- His films typically contain monsters or fan- ery. There is a sense of celebrating the tasy elements because of his upbringing. imperfect and working in the underworld. He also tends to include Catholicism in his films in some way or another. The villains in his films are typically authoritarian figures, and he has an anti-institution view. He has stated, “That’s what I love about fairy tales; LUCID NIGHTMARE



In the absence of light, There are things that go Make no mistake about

— Professor Broom

LUCID NIGHTMARE

Schedule Day One — October 11 5pm — Festival Kick-off, Director’s Welcome 6pm — Q&A Panel with Guillermo del Toro 7pm — Hellboy (2h 2min) 9pm — Ghost Tour of Lexington 10pm — Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2h) Let this remind you Haunted House — 7pm – 12am why you once feared Troll Market — 5pm – 12am the dark. — Prince Nuada Day Two — October 12 5pm — Cronos (1h 34min) 7pm — The Devil’s Backbone (1h 46min) 9pm — Costume Contest 10pm — Pan’s Labyrinth (1h 58min) 12pm — Director’s Comments, Festival Ends Haunted House — 7pm – 12am Troll Market — 5pm – 12am FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO



The Films

Cronos Critical Response The film received acclaim by critics for its Overview acting, originality, mythology, religious refer- In 1536 — in Veracruz, Mexico — during the ences, and its balance of horror and drama. Inquisition, an alchemist builds a mysterious When the film got the attention of interna- and sophisticated device named Cronos to tional film critics including those from the provide eternal life to the owner. In the pres- United States, it has since been recognized ent days, the antiques dealer Jesus Gris finds as one of the greatest horror films — and Cronos hidden inside an ancient statue while Spanish language films — of all-time. The cleaning it with his granddaughter Aurora. film was also entered into the 18th Moscow He accidentally triggers the device and soon International Film Festival. The film has since his wife Mercedes and he note that he has become part of The Criterion Collection. a younger appearance. Out of the blue, the stranger Angel de la Guardia visits Gris’s Reviews shop and buys the old statue. On the next day, Gris finds his shop trashed and Angel’s card “Filled with both pathos and fascinating on the floor. He pays a visit to Angel that characters that somehow are routinely introduces him to the eccentric millionaire left out of most fright flicks. A light con- De la Guardia that explains the healing power fection, Cronos is the sign of a master and the eternal life given by Cronos. Angel is director warming up and an interesting sent by De la Guardia to hunt down Gris to take on vampire movies.” get Cronos no matter the costs. — David Harris, Spectrum Culture Box Office “From the prologue, it becomes clear that In North America, the film was given a very del Toro possesses an extraordinary vivid limited release to only 2 theaters where it pictorial sense. His images weave a spell.” grossed $17,538 its opening weekend and — Malcolm Johnson, Hartford Courant a total of $621,392 playing at a only 28 the- aters worldwide. After many critics viewed the film, they felt it deserved a wider release. LUCID NIGHTMARE

FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO



Pan’s Labyrinth Critical Response Based on reviews from 37 critics, it received Overview a 98/100 score on Metacritic.com, making it In 1944 — in the post-Civil War in Spain — Metacritic’s best-reviewed film of the 2000s rebels still fight in the mountains against the decade. At its Cannes Film Festival release, Falangist troops. The young and imaginative it received a 22-minute standing ovation, Ofelia travels with her pregnant and sick one of the longest in the festival’s history. mother Carmen Vidal to the country to meet It also received a standing ovation at the 2006 and live with her stepfather, the sadistic and Toronto International Film Festival, its first cruel Captain Vidal, in an old mill. During the release in the Americas. The film has since night, Ofelia meets a fairy and together they become part of The Criterion Collection. go to a pit in the center of a maze where they meet a faun that tells that she is a princess Reviews from a kingdom in the underground. He also tells that her father is waiting for her, but she “Pan’s Labyrinth is a transcendent work of needs to accomplish three gruesome, tough art. A beautiful film about ugliness...” and dangerous assignments first. Meanwhile, — Westley Morris, Boston Globe she becomes friend of the servant Mercedes, who is the sister of one of the rebels and “Pan’s Labyrinth is one of the greatest of actually is giving support to the group. In a all fantasy films, even though it is dark, harsh and violent world, Ofelia lives her anchored so firmly in the reality of war.” magical world trying to survive her tasks and — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times sees her father and king again. Box Office During its limited first three weeks at the United States box office, the film made $5.4 million and grossed $80 million worldwide. It is the fifth highest domestically grossing foreign film in the United States. FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO

The Devil’s Backbone Critical Response The response was overwhelmingly positive, Overview though it did not receive the critical success During the Spanish Civil War, the twelve year- that Pan’s Labyrinth would in 2006. The film old boy Carlos is left behind by his family in was on Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments. an orphanage in the middle of nowhere. Dr. Bloody Disgusting ranked the film at number Casares and his wife Carmen run the orphan- eighteen in their list of the ‘Top 20 Horror age and the former orphan Jacinto, who lives Films of the Decade’, with the article saying with the teacher Conchita, is responsible to that the film “elegant and deeply-felt... it is take care and for the maintenance of the place. alternately a gut-wrenching portrait of child- Jacinto is an ambitious and violent man and hood in a time of war and a skin-crawling, has a love affair with Carmen trying to steal evocative nightmare.” The film is described the key of the safe where Dr. Casares and as a humanist ghost story. The film has since his wife hide the gold that is used to support become part of The Criterion Collection. the Republican forces. Carlos is bullied by the strong boy Jaime, who is the leader of Reviews the other boys. One day, Carlos feels the presence of a ghost and soon he learns that “Creepy and compelling and beautifully he is the orphan Santi that is missing. Carlos shot, The Devil’s Backbone is a tale of the sees Santi several times and one day he supernatural that feels completely natural. learns the dark secret of his disappearance. Its realness is what makes it so scary.” — Steven Rea, The Philadelphia Inquirer Box Office With a very limited release in North America — “Building slowly from a stately start, Del four theaters — it grossed $34,963 its opening Toro manages to unite all his disparate weekend but earned $6.5 million worldwide. elements — ghosts and gold, infidelity and politics — for a devastating final reel. The command of sound and color is breathtaking.” — Colin Kennedy, Empire LUCID NIGHTMARE

FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO

For horror to work, you You have to keep the and white light.

— Guillermo del Toro

Hellboy Critical Response Hellboy was nominated for four Saturn Awards Overview in 2005, including Best Fantasy Film, Best Hellboy isn’t your average hero. Hell, he isn’t Special Edition DVD Release, and Best Make-Up, even your average superhero. Brought forth which it won. The film was also nominated by the Nazis during a sacred ritual towards for a Visual Effects Society Award in the cat- the end of World War II. Our hero was sum- egory of “Outstanding Performance by an moned by accident when the evil monk of Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Russian history and folklore, Grigori Rasputin Picture.” In 2007, Rotten Tomatoes declared was meddling with forces that lead to his Hellboy to be the 13th best-reviewed comic undoing. With the twisted and evil monster book film adaptation, out of 94 total. In 2008, trapped for another sixty years when things Empire magazine ranked Hellboy 11th in their don’t go as planned. Hellboy is raised by list of “The 20 Greatest Comic Book Movies”. Professor Trevor “Broom” Bruttenholm, an expert in the occult. Our demonic hero is initi- Reviews ated in to the Bureau of Paranormal Research, were he joins the amphibious, kind-hearted, “Del Toro moves his story along with unre- and clever fellow “freak”, Abe Sapien. When lenting energy and wit while introducing the Rasputin returns once again with the aid of opposing parties with admirable efficiency.” his minions, Hellboy must unwillingly pair up — Richard Harrington, Washington Post with John Myers, an idealistic, naive new Agent of the Bureau. Fighting evil couldn’t prove to “Guillermo del Toro is in a class with Peter be more difficult, or out there. Jackson as a fan-boy who gets it — a brilliant filmmaker who as a kind of metabolic Box Office connection to horror and sci-fi that helps Hellboy had its world premiere at the Mann him transform secondhand genre material Village Theater in Los Angeles, and subse- into something deep and nourishing.” quently opened in wide release where it grossed — David Edelstein, Slate $23.1 million in 3,028 theaters on its opening weekend. It went on to gross $59.7 million in North America and $99.4 million worldwide. LUCID NIGHTMARE



LUCID NIGHTMARE

Hellboy II Critical Response Rotten Tomatoes reported that 86% of critics Overview gave the film positive reviews, with an aver- In this continuation to the adventure of the age rating of 7.2/10. The website’s critical demon superhero, an evil elf breaks an ancient consensus reads, “Guillermo del Toro crafts pact between humans and creatures, as he a stellar comic book sequel, boasting visuals declares war against humanity. He is on a that are as imaginative as the characters mission to release The Golden Army, a deadly are endearing.” On Metacritic the film has group of fighting machines that can destroy a weighted average score of 78 out of 100, the human race. As Hell on Earth is ready to indicating “generally favorable reviews”. erupt, Hellboy and his crew set out to defeat the evil Prince before The Golden Army can Reviews destroy humanity’s existence. “With writer-director del Toro given free Box Office license to go where his singular vision Hellboy II: The Golden Army opened on July 11, takes him, Hellboy II plays like Guillermo’s 2008, in 3,204 theaters in the United States Greatest Hits with even hotter visual effects.” and Canada. The film ranked first at the box — Michael Rechts, Hollywood Reporter office, grossing an estimated $35.9 million over the weekend, outperforming the opening “Imagine the forges of hell crossed with of its predecessor. The opening was the big- the extraterrestrial saloon on Tatooine, gest of Guillermo del Toro’s directing career and you have a notion of Guillermo del until 2013, when it was surpassed by Pacific Rim. Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times The film came top in the UK box office charts upon its release on August 22 and earned an additional international gross of $84,401,560 bringing its worldwide total to $160,388,063. FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO



The Details

Lodging Sheridan Livery Inn 35 N Main St, Lexington, VA Natural Bridge Historic Hotel (540) 464-1887 15 Appledore, ln, Natural Bridge, VA 7.8 miles from venue (540) 291-2121 4.5 miles from venue Brierley Hill 905 Borden Rd, Lexington VA Abigail Inn (540) 464-8421 408 S Main St, Lexington, VA 7.9 miles from venue (540) 464-1444 6.2 miles from venue Holiday Inn Express 880 N Lee Hwy, Lexington, VA Llewellyn Lodge (540) 463-7351 603 S Main St, Lexington, VA 9.0 miles from venue (540) 463-3235 7.0 miles from venue Country Inn & Suites by Radisson 875 N Lee Hwy, Lexington, VA Hampton Inn (540) 464-9000 401 E Nelson St, Lexington, VA 9.1 miles from venue (540) 463-2223 7.5 miles from venue Best Western 25 Willow Springs Rd, Lexington, VA, Robert E Lee Hotel (540) 464-1500 30 S Main St, Lexington, VA 9.5 miles from venue (540) 461-8484 7.7 miles from venue Wingate by Wyndham 1100 N Lee Hwy, Lexington, VA The Georges (540) 464-8100 11 N Main St, Lexington, VA 9.5 miles from venue (540) 377-9494 7.8 miles from venue LUCID NIGHTMARE

Man should be better than monsters. Ah, but who are the monsters? — Guillermo del Toro FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO

Dining Applebee’s Grill + Bar 870 N Lee Hwy, Lexington, VA The Pink Cadillac Diner (540) 463-2306 4347 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA (540) 291-2378 Muchacho Alegre 2813 N Lee Hwy, Lexington, VA The Colonial Dining Room (540) 464-1732 15 Appledore Ln, Natural Bridge, VA (540) 291-2100 Salerno Wood Fired Pizza 115 S Jefferson St, Lexington, VA Don Tequila (540) 463-5757 2255 Beech Ave, Buena Vista, VA (540) 264-0041 Rocca Ristorante 30 S Main St, Lexington, VA Canton Chinese (540) 461-8484 2172 Sycamore Ave, Buena Vista, VA (540) 261-1886 Niko’s Grille 167 S Main St, Lexington, VA Hardee’s (540) 395-3382 2801 Beech Ave, Buena Vista, VA (540) 261-3353 The Palms 101 W Nelson St, Lexington, VA JJ’s Meat Shak (540) 436-7911 1607 Magnolia Ave, Buena Vista, VA (540) 261-1489 Devil’s Backbone Brewing Co. 50 N Wind Ln, Lexington, VA Kenney’s Chicken (540) 817-6071 1607 Magnolia Ave, Buena Vista, VA (540) 261-2592 Macado’s 30 N Main St, Lexington, VA Cook Out (540) 464-8200 445 E Nelson St, Lexington, VA (540) 464-3106 LUCID NIGHTMARE

FILMS FROM THE TWISTED MIND OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO

Attractions Devil’s Backbone Outpost (540) 817-6071 Blue Ridge Parkway The Devil’s Backbone Outpost Tap Room and (828) 298-0398 Kitchen is located on a beautiful hillside in America’s favorite scenic drive offers overlooks, Lexington and houses the custom-built brewery, trails, picnic and camping areas for those traveling bottling and canning lines, taproom with fast- by car, motorcycle, or bicycle. It begins near casual dining, and outdoor beer garden. Free! Waynesboro, Virginia and stretches all the way to Cherokee, North Carolina. There are three Stonewall Jackson House access points near Natural Bridge. Free! (540) 464-7704 The house, which is listed on the National Natural Bridge State Park Register of Historic Places, is furnished with (540) 291-1324 period pieces, including many of Jackson’s per- Once owned by Thomas Jefferson and listed on sonal possessions, and is open to the public for the National Register of Historic Places, the guided tours of the period rooms. $8 215-foot tall Natural Bridge is a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. Access 6 miles Stonewall Jackson Cemetary of hiking trails, including the accessible Cedar (540) 464-7704 Creek Trail leading from the bridge to Lace Falls The Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery with its 30-foot cascade. $8 began as the burial ground for the old Lexington Presbyterian Church in 1789. General Thomas Lexington Ghost Tours Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, 144 Confederate (540) 464-2250 veterans, two Virginia governors, John Letcher, Lexington is rich in Civil War history and the James McDowell, and Margaret Junkin Preston — perfect Victorian city to conduct such tours. the Civil War Poet Laureate of the South — are They personally hand pick entertainers to guide buried here. Free! groups into the darkened streets, alleyways, and eventually the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery for a very different experience not offered on most ghost tours. $15 LUCID NIGHTMARE

But the dream eludes wakeful pursuit; it always does. — Guillermo del Toro

4135 S Lee Hwy / Natural Bridge, VA / (540) 291-1340