10 Must-See Films Recommended by the Director of Splat!FilmFest

1. BARRIO TRISTE – dir. Stillz

One of those films that reminds me why I love cinema that refuses to play by the rules. Medellín, Colombia, in the 1980s. Teenage gangs, violence, mysterious phenomena, and visuals that look like they’ve been pulled straight from a grainy, worn-out VHS tape.

All of this comes together in a story that blends horror, raw documentary realism, and poetry. Directed by Stillz, the film is executive produced by Harmony Korine, the filmmaker behind the cult classic “Gummo”.

For me, this is the essence of bold, uncompromising cinema that makes no attempt to please its audience. And that’s exactly why it deserves to be seen.

2. HER WILL BE DONE – dir. Julia Kowalski

I love horror films that explore something much deeper beneath the surface of fear. Here, we follow a young woman growing up in a suffocating, patriarchal world that she desperately wants to escape. There are family secrets, repressed desires, rural superstitions, and an atmosphere of mounting madness.

Julia Kowalski has created a remarkably sensual, unsettling, and deeply visceral film. Yet another reminder that horror is a powerful way to tell stories about female freedom and rebellion.

3. BAGWORM – dir. Oliver Bernsen

I won’t pretend this is a film for everyone. It’s disgusting, repulsive, and at times almost unbearable to watch. And yet, there’s something strangely beautiful and moving about it. The story of a bitter, lonely man whose body and mind begin to fall apart turns into a grotesque tale of hatred, frustration, and self-destruction.

This is exactly the kind of cinema I love bringing to Splat!FilmFest: uncomfortable, unconventional, pushing the boundaries of good taste, yet with far more to say than you might initially expect.

4. CHILI FINGER – dir. Edd Benda, Stephen Helstad

And now, something for those who also want a good laugh at the festival. It all starts with a human finger found in a bowl of chili, and things only get more absurd from there. This is a clever, brilliantly written black comedy reminiscent of the Coen brothers at their best. Fantastic dialogue, outrageous plot twists, and outstanding performances from John Goodman and Bryan Cranston.

I love films that manage to combine complete absurdity with genuine emotion. “Chili Finger” is exactly that kind of film.

5. NO REST FOR THE WICKED – dir. Kasper Kalle

If I had to recommend a film to audiences looking for horror that is both visually stunning and genuinely terrifying, this would be one of my first choices. The Faroe Islands in the 19th century, rugged landscapes, sea mists, forbidden love, and dark folklore.

It’s an extraordinarily beautiful, hypnotic tale where romance meets genuine horror. The film proves that genre cinema can be just as sophisticated as the finest drama, while still sending chills down your spine. There’s a reason we chose it to open the festival.

6. ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE – dir. RZA

A film that oozes love for old-school, unapologetic exploitation cinema. RZA, the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, has directed a brutal, furious tale of racism, violence, and revenge, with Quentin Tarantino serving as executive producer.

It’s packed with the spirit of 1970s cinema, hip-hop energy, spectacular fight sequences, and plenty of cinematic madness. I love films like this because they aren’t afraid to go over the top, they have personality and a distinctive style all their own. This is the kind of cinema that’s best experienced on the big screen.

7. ÒPI – dir. Marta Giec

I’m passionate about showcasing Polish genre cinema that isn’t afraid to take risks and find its own voice. “ÒPI” is exactly that kind of film. Set in Kashubia in the 1990s, it weaves together family secrets, religion, and folk beliefs to create a world that feels both familiar and terrifying.

What I particularly love is how the horror grows out of something deeply familiar, almost domestic. It’s a horror film firmly rooted in Polish reality, yet also a bold, uncompromising work of genre cinema in its own right. We definitely need more films like this.

8. BIG BREAK – dir. Ian Faria

At Splat!FilmFest, I also love showing films that turn a screening into one big shared experience. And this one has all the ingredients to do just that. A group of comedians gathers at an old friend’s mansion in the woods, hoping for their big break in Hollywood. Unfortunately, a serial killer is lurking nearby.

The result? A bloody, absurd comedy that blends improvisational humor with a merciless slasher. I think this is one of those films best enjoyed with a packed audience. Behind the film is the New York-based comedy group Simple Town, whose members will also be performing their live comedy show at the festival.

9. ROMA ELASTICA – dir. Bertrand Mandico

Bertrand Mandico is one of those directors whose visionary talent is impossible to deny. His films are eccentric, sensual, grotesque, and utterly unlike anything else. “Roma Elastica” takes us to a surreal version of Rome, where reality blends with cinematic dreams and Marion Cotillard plays a fading movie star.

It’s a true visual feast, overflowing with extravagance, eccentricity, beauty, and madness. If you love cinema that refuses to justify its imagination or acknowledge any boundaries, this is a film you simply can’t miss.

10. THE TREK – dir. Meekaaeel Adam

I love films that surprise me simply by the way they combine genres. And a South African horror-western set in the 19th-century Kalahari Desert is certainly not something you see every day. A group of settlers journeys across a desolate landscape, only to discover that hunger, thirst, and growing paranoia are just the beginning of their nightmare.

Ancient forces and the dark legacy of colonialism lurk in the background. “The Trek” impresses with its stunning cinematography, incredibly intense atmosphere, and ability to build genuine dread without resorting to cheap tricks.

It’s one of those films that reminds us just how much untapped potential genre cinema still holds, and how brilliantly artistic ambition can be combined with a genuinely terrifying story.

Of course, this is just a small selection from this year’s programme. And I’m sure that if you asked me to pick another ten titles, I’d have just as much trouble choosing.

That’s exactly what I love about Splat!FilmFest. Its diversity, its artistic boldness, and the kind of cinema that can terrify, amaze, make you laugh, and provoke thought, sometimes all at once. Films that aren’t always easy or comfortable to watch, but almost never leave you indifferent.

I hope you’ll find something that speaks to you among my picks. And most of all, I hope you’ll come and discover these films with us.

See you at Splat!FilmFest from October 22–31 at Kinoteka in Warsaw, and at Splat!FilmFest ON TOUR in: Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Gdynia, Katowice, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, Szczecin, and Wrocław.

Monika Stolat
Artistic Director of Splat!FilmFest