Arts & Entertainment

Cinedelphia Film Festival Comes to Ardmore

Viva Video will host a screening and a meet-and-greet with the director of 'Video Violence: Redux Deluxe' on Saturday.

Does the idea of watching "really schlocky, low-budget horror movies" appeal to you? If so, you're not alone: Miguel Gomez, owner of Ardmore's new movie rental shop Viva Video, is a self-confessed cheesy horror movie junkie.

On Saturday, horror fans across the Greater Philadelphia area will gather at Gomez's store for the world premiere of Video Violence: Redux Deluxe. The screening, which is part of the Philly-centric Cinedelphia Film Festival, is a new cut that combines 1987's Video Violence... When Renting is Not Enough! and Video Violence 2: The Exploitation.

The festival's website describes Video Violence: Redux Deluxe as:

Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One of the great cinematic time capsules of the golden age of the brick and mortar video rental store, 1987's VIDEO VIOLENCE (1987, full title: VIDEO VIOLENCE...WHEN RENTING IS NOT ENOUGH) remains one of the most fun and charming no-budget horror films of the 1980s. Filmed in Frenchtown, NJ with a cast of non-actors and a never-ending supply of imaginative homemade gore effects, VV tells the story of a video store proprietor who unknowingly sets up shop in a dangerous new town. VIDEO VIOLENCE 2 (also 1987) continues the storyline within the format of a public access television show complete with fake commercials.

Both films are filled with disturbing deaths, nasty nudity, and a dark, self-aware sense of humor that brings to mind the current widespread outcry against violent entertainment.

Since the films were made by a video store owner and a video store features prominently in them, Gomez said, the idea came about to host the screening at Viva Video.

Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Ardmore shop is one of only two non-Philly venues included in the festival's line up. (The other non-Philly venue is The Stoogeum in Ambler.)

The film's director, Gary P. Cohen, will be at Viva Video (16 W. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore) for a meet-and-greet from 9 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Gomez said. The movie will start at 10 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and are available online or at the door.

Horror not your thing? Viva Video is sponsoring two free, outdoor, family-friendly screenings in May and June. We'll post the details soon.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here