With the successful funding of LORD OF TEARS completed (but still
going so go donate for an even better film), I got to talk with Lawrie
Brewster, the director of the film, about the project. Read on!
How was the initial idea for Lord Of Tears
developed? What made you want to make this film?
The initial idea for Lord of Tears was developed
based upon a strange personal experience I had as a child. While walking out
the front entrance of a stately home, I saw, standing at the far end of an
empty lawn, a man dressed in a tailsuit with a large bird mask.
The figure stood looking in my direction for some
time before stepping with relative ease into some nearby woodland. Now I am not
one to suggest anything supernatural about that occurrence, but the incident
itself left enough visual impact upon me as a child to inspire me as an artist
in later life.
I wrote a short story based on the incident and
scriptwriter Sarah Daly created a world and a set of characters around it that
became the script for Lord of Tears.
The reason I wanted to make this film is borne out
of a desire to produce original works for the horror/fantasy genre evocative of
the classic horror films no longer deemed commercial enough – in particular in
the independent horror genre. The reason we see so many teen slasher films is
not entirely down to unoriginality – it is because there is a built in
anti-intellectual segment in some audiences in the genre. There are exceptions
to this (for not all slasher films are the same) such as masterly classics like
the original Halloween.
It made me realise that if we were to see low
budget horror that focussed on story and atmosphere, films like the Wicker Man,
or the adaptations of The Devil Rides Out or Blood on Satan's Claw... that it
would be up to us to make them... and support the production of such films.
I believe the horror genre is the very best portal
for the cinematic imagination – it embraces fantasy and science fiction – can
be metaphysical and philosophical as well as dark... violent and sexual. Not
many genres provide such breadth to explore the most nightmarish recesses of
human or supernatural existence hence why I wanted to make Lord of Tears as my
personal contribution to the genre.
You've mentioned before that various myths and
legends have inspired the film, can you tell us about them?
Oh I cannot explicity tell you what they are – but
you can uncover them from the film and its associated mythos documents.
Especially with our collector's editions or full digital packs, as they include
some short stories, origin tales and artwork etc.
Of course I can describe where I sought my
inspiration. As a student of Ancient History and Theology - the tales I read
and research are of the gods, creatures, Titans. The denizens of different
faiths and legends of different creatures are the compatriats of my
imagination. With the Lord of Tears, I found in the religion of ancient
Carthage an entity that demanded the most awful sacrifices, and in ancient
Scotland a pagan cult that worshipped the spirits of dead enemies trapped in
decapitated heads.
What excites me about dark inspirations for horror
literature and film, is that in a universe as huge and infinite, within
parallel dimensions – almost anything if not anything... may exist somewhere.
In that sense I see myself as a potential documentarian as well as a
storyteller.
The Owl Man has a very foreboding look, who designed
it?
The Owl Man was designed conceptually by myself
and our Cinematographer Gavin Robertson who carried out the original
illustrations of the Owlman in his tailsuit with out-stretched talons!
An artist called Angela Allen, then produced the
mask and talons! She did a great job!
Did any other films or film makers influence you
or screenwriter Sarah Daly on Lord Of Tears, either directly or indirectly?
Oh lets see filmmakers like Jack Clayton (The
Innocents) Robert Wise (The Haunted) and of course films such as The Shining,
The Wicker Man, Blood on Satan's Claw and J-Horror films such as those of Hideo
Nakata like Ringu and of course Stuart Gordon (I'm sure I don't have to say
why!)
It may sound a little cliché but filmmakers such
as Akira Kurosawa are a personal inspiration (in particular dramas such as
Ikiru and Redbeard) and British director Ken Russell for films like The Devils
and The Music Lovers.
The cast includes some well versed and experienced
actors including David Schofield, how did he come on board for the project?
Euan Douglas and Lexy Hulme were actors already
known to us. Euan was a stage trained actor – mature and interesting whose
performance would lend our film a classic British theatrically trained sense of
authenticity. Lexy Hulme meanwhile trained in US screen acting and is known
mostly for her incredible dancing (appearing in films such as 500 Days of
Summer, and the TV series Smash.) We put that physical and remarkable screen
prescence to good use in our film – you certainly won't forget her!
David Schofield will of course be known to your
readership for his appearances in many films over the decades – most well-known
being Gladiator and Pirates of the Carribean – but most imporantatly as the
awesome darts player in American Werewolf in London... “you.... you made me
miss...” For that reason alone we knew we just had to have him provide the
sinister voice for our Owlman.
We got in touch with David and fortunately for us,
he admired the maturity and artistic aspiration of Sarah Daly's script. I say
aspiration because often actors do not get material that seeks to be creatively
ambitious – especially in the genre. That doesn't guarantee a film is great of
course but it shows it does aim to be. So it was a great personal aknowledgement
for Sarah's talent that such an experienced actor had kind words for her
writing!
Where was Lord Of Tears shot?
Lord of Tears was shot across the United Kingdom
but mostly in the Highlands of Scotland, at the incredible mansion of Ardgour
House.
What was the toughest part about writing the
screenplay and filming the movie, respectively?
I will pass you onto Sarah Daly who
wrote the screenplay – Sarah
I have to first say that Lord of Tears was one of
those screenplays that seemed almost to write itself. I had the benefit of
knowing in advance who most of our cast would be, and where we would be
filming, so the film played out quite clearly in my imagination – I only had to
write it down!
The most difficult parts were the puzzle elements
– Lord of Tears is actually quite a complex mystery-driven film so making sure
all the pieces fit and that the mystery unravelled in a satisfying way was
crucial, and tricky at times. But, these are the sorts of stories that I love
to write – dark, fantastical and timeless. The dialogue for the Owl Man (David
Schofield) was particularly fun to write as it's very theatrical and poetic.I
could really let loose!
(Now back to Lawrie)
The greatest challenge when producing any film is
to make sure that you can produce the very best film you can in the time given
by the shooting schedule. We took an uncompromising approach to the film,
developing a style that we felt we could achieve in a creative and professional
manner which I think should reflect itself in a quality product!
However, in terms of personal experiences, the
difficulties were like those of any low budget film – exhaustion, long days and
such like – however the great thing about our film, talent and crew is that we
all share a passion for storytelling. Working on something that intends to be
different and exciting can give you the energy you need to don that Owl Man
costume at 4am in the pouring rain – because deep down you know it will
unsettle the clinging girlfriend of some chap wearing a black t-shirt emblazoned
with a fanged Christopher Lee.
What scared you as a child?
Oh let's see – brussel sprouts, green bean and
mushroom lasagne, the dark (sometimes) and strange noises. I have always had an
active imagination and being Scottish lends one a natural inclination towards
the macabre 'we're all doooomed!'
What are some of your favorite horror films?
Oh I hate this question – you know why? Because I
love so many horror films and they're all like personal friends to me. So if I
list some and forget others after this article is published... I'll be...
desolate (well...)
Okay, many consist of those I have listed. The
Innocents, The Wicker Man, The Haunting, Halloween, The Thing, Hellraiser,
Ringu, Grudge, Dark Water, Home Movie and Noroi the Curse, Re-Animator... oh
and a great short film for your readership that you can view on youtube 'Merry
Little Christmas.'
Anything else to say? (Feel free to plug whatever
you want!)
Oh I get to plug something! Well I would just like
to share with your readership that our DVDs and Collector's Editions are being
manufactured as a one off for our Kickstarter campaign and may not be available
through regular distributer channels until (2014!!!)
I would urge any that want to support our type of
filmmaking and like the look of Lord of Tears, to pre-order now. In future we
would love to develop our own Hammer style studio known for its take on
story-driven Horror & Fantasy... the support of fans now helps us work
towards that without the middleman.
