At the pinnacle of cult film culture, the Evil Dead franchise has the kind of following that would merit a documentary that focuses entirely on that community. It seems only obvious that Hail to the Deadites would eventually be made.
What has spent years in the making, is now set for an official release at the Fantasia Film Festival's virtual event in August. Director Steve Villeneuve set out to create a film that chronicles the fanaticism unique to the Evil Dead movies and after many years, he has achieved just that.
The synopsis of Hail to the Deadites reads,
“Hail to the Deadites is a documentary about the fans of the Evil Dead franchise. Through interviews with the cast, crew, collectors, fans, freaks and geeks, it seeks to illuminate the darkest reaches of the franchise’s undying and still-growing popularity, a popularity that has spawned four films, a TV series, comic books, figurines, and surpassed even its creator’s wildest dreams. Beside meeting with fans around the world, the 80 minute documentary feature interviews with Evil Dead franchise cast members such as Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Tom Sullivan, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley DePaiva, Sarah Berry, Rick Domeier and Bill Moseley.”
The documentary includes no footage from the actual films themselves, rather, offers an account of the fan experience and how the film has permeated throughout their lives. From conventions to signings to meet and greets, Evil Dead continues reach new generations of fans with true cult-like appeal. The documentary does its best to detail why.
Watch the trailer for the documentary below.
