A 'Donnie Darko' Halloween Party Is Taking Over Melbourne This June
Start counting down the days, because Donnie Darko’s Halloween House Party will celebrate the classic film with live DJs, immersive visuals, recreated film sets, and more.
Donnie Darko’s Halloween House Party (Credit: Supplied)
It’s time to take a step back to the ‘80s (by way of 2001) this June, with a huge Halloween party bringing the spooky season to Naarm/Melbourne a little earlier than usual with a massive Donnie Darko celebration.
The forthcoming event, officially titled Donnie Darko’s Halloween House Party, is a celebration of both the acclaimed 2001 Richard Kelly film, with both a screening of the flick and floor-to-ceiling high-tech audiovisuals accompanying the event.
According to a description of the event, the one-night only affair will take over Melbourne Pavilion as it gets transformed into a “multi-sensory playground” designed to bring guests even deeper into the surreal world of Donnie Darko.
“From ambient soundscapes and immersive set design to atmospheric lighting and unexpected narrative touches, every detail works together to blur the line between reality and fiction in this pop culture collision of music, story, and interactivity,” it explains.
According to the Director of Cinaesthesia Productions (who are putting on the affair), it “isn’t just a screening…It’s a full-blown, ‘80s-style interactive house party where fans can live and breathe inside a Donnie Darko spectacle.”
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First released in 2001, the ‘80s-era sci-fi thriller managed to avoid a lot of mainstream attention, despite its casting choices including a rising Jake Gyllenhall, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, and much more. It’s managed to achieve a cult following in the years since, with many considering it one of the greatest film of all time.
The film’s soundtrack also garnered specific critical acclaim, with classic tunes from the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen, Tears For Fears, and even Aussie names such as INXS and The Church all featuring across both the theatrical and director’s cut versions of the film. Famously, Gary Jules’ cover of Tears For Fears’ Mad World became a massive success, with its influence still felt across the emotional points of cinema to this day.
In the present day, however, Donnie Darko’s Halloween House Party will take place on Friday, June 6th and boast live DJs, immersive visuals, recreated film sets and characters pulled straight from the movie. Attendees are invited to arrive in Halloween costume (despite the time of year), and also enjoy a rare live appearance by Frank The Rabbit himself, actor James Duval.
“After seeing Cinaesthesia Productions’ setup of the Halloween party for Donnie Darko at the sold-out London UK event, I was just blown away! Beyond all expectations!!” said Duval. “What’re you doing on June 6, Melbourne? Maybe I’ll see you at the next one…wearing your stupid man suit!”
Tickets to the event – including VIP packages and meet-and-greets with Duval, are available now.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
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