Explosive punk, Kung Fu monks, and the cult phenomenon The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in the Weekend at the Castle program at TIFF.24
This year, Weekend at the Castle, the program of the Transilvania International Film Festival (June 13 – 22, 2025) that brings film and music to the Bánffy Castle in Bonțida, offers two energy-packed evenings (June 14 and 15). The legendary Hungarian punk band VHK and the British post-punkers from The KVB will take the stage in front of the outdoor screen installed at the castle, where afterward, film lovers will have the chance to watch an Estonian comedy about Kung Fu monks and black metal – The Invisible Fight, as well as the cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which celebrates 50 years since its premiere.
Tickets for the two events are now on sale online – https://tiff.eventbook.ro/
Saturday, June 14, from 19:30, the stage at Bonțida will be taken over by The KVB. A British post-punk duo formed by Nicholas Wood and Kat Day, The KVB are known for their hypnotic fusion of cold analog synths, dark guitar riffs, and a psychedelic dream-pop atmosphere. Their music blends influences from classic post-punk, shoegaze, krautrock, and industrial electronic music, creating an intense and cinematic soundscape. The band’s live shows are immersive audiovisual experiences, enhanced by hypnotic visuals and a captivating energy.
The evening ends with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the irreverent classic directed by Jim Sharman, which remains one of the most beloved films of all time. Released in 1975, the film celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Inspired by the stage show of the same name, the movie tells the story of Brad and Janet, a naïve couple who, after a car breakdown, end up at the extravagant mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Their host, an eccentric scientist from another galaxy, draws them into a decadent world full of seduction, freedom, and unforgettable music. The Rocky Horror Picture Show became a cult phenomenon thanks to its unique atmosphere and the fans dressed in vintage glam outfits who turn every screening into an interactive show, dancing and singing along.
Sunday, June 15, starting at 19:30, the evening will kick off with Vágtázó Halottkémek (VHK), the legendary psychedelic rock and punk band from Central Europe. Founded in 1975 in Budapest, the band blends tribal rhythms with progressive rock and improvisation, creating an intense and hypnotic sonic experience. With lyrics steeped in mysticism and explosive energy on stage, VHK has built a cult reputation, often compared to Hawkwind or The Stooges, while maintaining a distinctive style. Their music has been praised by artists such as Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, and Jello Biafra, who have called VHK one of the most original and powerful underground bands in Europe. The current lineup includes Attila Grandpierre, Lajos Soós Szónusz, Király Zoltán, Köles Vazul, Földi Tomy, Szűcs Antal Mór, and Sánta Kristóf.
After the concert, the film The Invisible Fight (dir. Rainer Sarnet, Estonia, 2023) will be screened – an absurd martial arts comedy featuring eccentric monks. The story follows a young Estonian man who, after surviving an attack on the border between China and the Soviet Union, decides to become a Shaolin monk. But the path to spiritual enlightenment turns out to be filled with spectacular fights, black metal music, and lots of dark humor. The film premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2023, where it received the Special Jury Prize, praised for its bold visual style and unique genre blend.
The screening of The Invisible Fight at TIFF.24 is made possible with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Bucharest and the Estonian Film Institute.
