McKeesport filmmaker’s movie set for world premier

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Countless 1980s slasher films have become cult-classics.

Filmmaker Mark Cantu, who shot “Massacre Academy” in McKeesport and around McKeesport, is hoping it can become the next slasher sensation.

Horror fans are about to get a chance to walk the red carpet and see the new independent feature-length film, which will take those who are old enough back to the times they spent jumping out of their seats at the local theater or drive-in.

The world premier of “Massacre Academy” is 7 p.m. July 31 at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin.

Depictions of slashings at summer camps, masked serial killers terrorizing a group of teens who almost always make the wrong decisions when running from the maker of their demise and creepy nightmares — or toy dolls — coming to life are what many of us think of when we think of 1980s slasher films, and a draw for films like “Halloween II,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and “Friday the 13th,” have passed the test of time.

“Massacre Academy” comes with 80s’ throwback references to things like “Star Search,” sneaking to rowdy fraternity parties and participating in sorority initiation rituals, hanging out and showing off at the roller rink, wearing Spandex, rocking big hair and jamming out to bands like Quiet Riot.

Starring local actors Felissa Rose, Dave Sheridan, Jess Uhler, Sierra Mitchell, Christina Krakowski and Brian Ceponis, “Massacre Academy” follows the fictional story of Kris McNeil, one of the only survivors from a brutal series of murders carried out at the fictional Orrstown University in Orrstown, Pa., by the infamous masked slasher known as Carnie.

There’s an actual Orrstown in Pennsylvania, but none of the film was made there, nor is the story related to true events from the town.

Set two years after the initial rampage, Kris wants to move on with her life and deal with the trauma from that night. However, as a new series of brutal killings begin, Kris realizes that Carnie may still be alive and coming for her and her younger sister Maggie. With time running out, Kris must choose to either run from her nightmare or stand and fight.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Thursday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.