Interview with programmer Éric Peretti at the Hallucinations Collective Film Festival

Discover the Hallucination Collective Film Festival: A Journey into Underground Cinema

We talk with Éric Peretti, one of the main programmers of the Hallucination Collective Film Festival, an event renowned for showcasing experimental and underground films. Celebrating its 19th edition, this festival in Lyon, France, offers a unique blend of new cinema and curated retrospectives, inviting viewers to hallucinate through groundbreaking visual styles and unconventional storytelling. With a focus on rare and restored films, the festival has established itself as a must-visit event for cinephiles seeking something truly distinct.

Exploring the Hallucination Collective Film Festival’s Retrospective Themes

The Hallucination Collective Film Festival features a rich retrospective program that dives deep into niche film genres and underground movements. This year, audiences can explore two captivating themes: underground vampire movies from the 1990s set against the backdrop of New York City, and the vibrant world of Mexican exploitation cinema. These retrospectives aim to highlight forgotten or lesser-known films, celebrating their artistic and cultural significance while providing a comprehensive look into these underground film scenes.

Mexican Exploitation Films Take Centre Stage at this Year’s Festival

The Mexican exploitation film retrospective at the Hallucination Collective Film Festival—another highlight of the programme—was curated thanks to recent restorations of classic works. Films like “Black Pit of Dr. M” (1959) and Lucha Libre offerings such as “The Batwoman” (1968) showcase the diverse range of Mexican genre cinema that often blends Gothic horror, Westerns, and wrestling culture. This segment underscores the festival’s commitment to unveiling cinematic gems that have often flown under the mainstream radar, offering audiences a fresh perspective on Mexico’s vibrant exploitation film heritage.

A Unique Atmosphere and Audience Experience

One of the core charms of the Hallucination Collective Film Festival is its vibrant community of volunteers and dedicated cinephiles. The festival attracts a diverse audience, ranging from passionate fans in their forties and fifties to younger viewers eager to discover underground films. Éric Peretti explains that festival organisers prioritise screenings of films that are rarely seen in theatres, with many titles shown with French subtitles for the first time on the big screen. This dedication creates an immersive atmosphere where attendees can hallucinate together through unusual, visually striking cinema available only at this festival.