Review: Cine-Express: Legends Never Die. 22nd October 2026

“The two-hour documentary film saw academic experts, actors, and directors explore how radical ideas were forged during periods of intense economic and social struggle in America—and how eugenicist thinking left a chilling impact from the 1960s onward.

Director Robert Schmitt was presented with the “Innovator of Horror” award by Xavier Mendik, producer of the documentary Scum of the Earth: Creating America’s Rural Communities of Horror (2026).

We also had the opportunity to chat with fellow horror experts and academics to uncover their all-time favorite horror films. The lineup of favorites ranged from psychological and sociological mind-benders like Requiem for a Dream and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cure, to classic atmospheric gems like 1943’s I Walked with a Zombie, and Candyman—celebrated for its haunting mood and sharp social commentary.

The evening culminated in the award presentation to Robert Schmitt, who humbly noted that he sees himself less as an “innovator” and more as simply a storyteller. During the engaging Q&A, Schmitt shared behind-the-scenes stories from his film Wrong Turn, detailing the surprising number of injuries and mishaps the cast endured on set—leaving me to wonder if those chaotic experiences subtly mirrored his own childhood encounters with the genre.

To wrap up the night, Xavier delivered an exciting announcement: Cine-Express has officially been greenlit to host monthly cult horror screenings! The screenings will take place at The Odeon on New Street, marking a triumphant return for their regular movie nights following the closure of the Electric Cinema.