Hell Houses are a distinctly American phenomenon which began in 1990 just outside of Dallas, Texas at the Trinity Assembly of God Church. The original Hell House was conceived as a modern-day fire-and-brimstone sermon. Today, this religious ceremony of sorts is replete with actors, extensive lighting equipment and full audio-visual tech crews.

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Inside the Hell House, tour guides dressed as demons take visitors from room to room to view depictions of school massacres, date rape, AIDS-related deaths, fatal drunk driving crashes, and botched abortions. With full access to the behind-the-scenes action, HELL HOUSE follows the process from the first script meeting until the last of the 10,000 visitors passes through the Hell House doors. The movie gives a verite window into the whole process of creating this over-the-top sermon, while showing an intimate portrait of the people who fervently believe its message. Shot on 16mm film and featuring a score by Bubba and Matthew Kadane, formerly of the band Bedhead.

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dir. George Ratliff, 2001
United States, digital projection
85 min

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SATURDAY, 10/31
1:30P DOORS
2:00P SCREENING

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$10 general admission.

Basic & Microcinephile members, please log-in to your account at checkout for your discounts to apply. Don't have a membership? Get one here.

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‍Whammy! is located at 1200 N Alvarado St, near the intersection of Sunset & Alvarado and in between Tierra Mia Coffee and Manly & Sons Barbershop. Street parking only, please do not park in the library parking lot, as your vehicle will get locked in when the library closes. The corner of Sunset & Alvarado is served by 3 major bus lines, the 2, the 4, and the 93.