This year, Weekend at the Castle, the beloved program of the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) (June 13–22, 2025), which brings film and music to Bánffy Castle in Bonțida, promises two energy-packed nights on June 14 and 15. The legendary Hungarian punk band VHK and British post-punk duo The KVB will perform on the stage in front of the castle’s outdoor screen, where movie lovers will later get to enjoy an Estonian comedy about kung fu monks and black metal — The Invisible Fight, as well as the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Tickets for both events are available online: https://tiff.eventbook.ro
On Saturday, June 14, starting at 7:30 PM, the Bonțida stage will be taken over by The KVB. Formed by Nicholas Wood and Kat Day, this British post-punk duo is known for their hypnotic fusion of cold analog synths, dark guitar riffs, and dreamy psychedelic atmospheres. Their music draws on influences from classic post-punk, shoegaze, krautrock, and industrial electronic music, creating an intense, cinematic soundscape. Their live shows are immersive audiovisual experiences, featuring mesmerizing projections and captivating energy.
The night ends with a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the irreverent classic directed by Jim Sharman, still one of the most beloved films of all time. Released in 1975, the film turns 50 this year. Inspired by the stage musical of the same name, it follows Brad and Janet, a naive couple who, after a car breakdown, find themselves at the extravagant mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter — an eccentric alien scientist who introduces them to a decadent world of seduction, freedom, and unforgettable music. The film became a cult phenomenon thanks to its unique atmosphere and its loyal fans who dress up in vintage glam and transform each screening into a fully interactive performance with dancing and singing.
On Sunday, June 15, also from 7:30 PM, the evening kicks off with Vágtázó Halottkémek (VHK) — the legendary psychedelic punk band from Central Europe. Founded in 1975 in Budapest, the band blends tribal rhythms with progressive rock and improvisation, creating a powerful and hypnotic musical experience. With mystic-infused lyrics and explosive stage presence, VHK has achieved cult status, often compared to Hawkwind or The Stooges, while maintaining an unmistakable style. Their music has been praised by artists like Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, and Jello Biafra, who 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, TIFF will screen The Invisible Fight (dir. Rainer Sarnet, Estonia, 2023), an absurd martial arts comedy featuring quirky monks. The story follows a young Estonian who survives an attack on the border between China and the Soviet Union and decides to become a Shaolin monk. But the path to spiritual enlightenment turns out to be paved with epic battles, black metal, and dark humor. The film premiered at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize, praised for its bold visual style and unique genre-blending.
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.