Forbidden Worlds is excited to present an evening of swords and sorcery with a special Q&A preview screening of Red Sonja (2025) with director MJ Bassett, preceded by a screening of her previous Robert E. Howard adaptation - Solomon Kane (2009) with star James Purefoy in attendance.

Robert E. Howard is best known as the creator of Conan The Barbarian and writer of pulp fiction characters such as Bran Mak Morn, King Kull and El Borak. He also created Solomon Kane - a late 16th century Puritan mercenary who battles demons - and Red Sonja - who was first created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith for Marvel Comics in 1973, but was partially inspired by Robert E. Howard's Red Sonya of Rogatino.

An adaptation was previously released in 1985 with Brigitte Nielsen in the title role, but a planned reboot of Red Sonja has been almost two decades in the making. Finally, director MJ Bassett, with Matilda Lutz in the title role, has brought the barbarian warrior back to screens.

Ahead of Red Sonja’s release on Digital Platforms (August 18) and DVD & Blu-ray (1 September), Forbidden Worlds is presenting a special theatrical screening of the film with director MJ Bassett along with her previous Robert E. Howard adaptation - Solomon Kane (2009) starring James Purefoy who will also be attending the screening.

Bassett is an English screenwriter, director and producer of feature film and television. Her feature films include Deathwatch (2002), Wilderness (2006) and Silent Hill: Revelation (2012).

She was also lead director and executive producer of hit action TV series Strike Back, and has directed episodes for numerous TV shows including Da Vinci’s Demons, Iron Fist, Altered Carbon, Terminal List, Motherland: Fort Salem, Quantum Leap, Reacher (and its upcoming spin-off series Neagley) and FUBAR with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

SOLOMON KANE (Cert. 15, 100 mins)

Fantasy action adventure set in the 17th century, based on the character created by pulp fiction writer Robert E Howard. After an encounter with Satanic demon The Reaper while fighting in Africa, Kane (James Purefoy) embarks on a quest for redemption to save his soul from being damned eternally to Hell. He returns to England, converts to Puritanism and takes up residency in a monastery - but the dastardly deeds of an evil magician who has taken over his father (Max von Sydow)'s castle soon upset his plans, and he is forced to take up arms once again. Pete Postlethwaite and Rachel Hurd-Wood co-star.

RED SONJA (Cert 15, 110mins)

Matilda Lutz is a barbarian on a mission in this action fantasy based on the best-selling comic series. Enslaved by an evil tyrant who wishes to destroy her people, barbarian huntress Red Sonja must unite a group of unlikely warriors to face off against Dragan The Magnificent and his deadly bride, Dark Annisia. Starring Matilda Lutz (Revenge), Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy), Michael Bisping (Den of Thieves), Wallis Day (Sheroes), Martyn Ford (Final Score), Rhona Mitra (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) and Veronica Ferres (The Bricklayer), Red Sonja is written by Tasha Huo (The Witcher: Blood Origin).

EVENT DETAILS

Where: Bristol Megascreen, Anchor Rd, Bristol BS1 5TT

When: 7pm, Saturday 16 August 2025

EVENT TIMINGS (approximate and subject to change):

6pm: Doors open

7pm: Introduction from director MJ Bassett and James Purefoy

7.15pm-9pm: Solomon Kane (2009)

9pm-9.30pm: Q&A with MJ Bassett and James Purefoy

(15 min break)

9.45pm-11.35pm: Red Sonja (2025)

www.forbiddenworldsfilmfestival.co.uk

Entry requirements: 16+ — Read more — Read less