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Last Horror Movie is a new serial killer movie from Newport born director Julian Richards,
Who took some time out to answer questions on his latest film ...
Last Horror Movie compares very favorably to Man Bites Dog which has similar themes,
Was it an influence on your film?
It was certainly an influence, and in some sequences Last Horror Movie plays with the
audiences familiarity with Man Bites Dog before subverting expectations. But hopefully, Last
Horror Movie picks up where Man Bites Dog left off, adding something fresh to the serial
killer genre.
Both your first feature, Darklands and Last Horror Movie have been in the horror genre,
is this the style your most comfortable with or are you planning to try other styles?
Horror was my first love, but film school broadened my horizons and my short films, Pirates,
Queen Sacrifice and Bad Company (all shot in Newport and all on the retail DVD of Last Horror
Movie) are more traditional social realistic dramas. I am planning a romantic comedy called
Love Bites, but as I'm drawn towards the darker side of human nature, I think it might be
better described as an unromantic comedy.
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What was your first horror movie?
The Curse Of Corm ac, about three archaeologists digging up the tomb of an ancient Celtic warlord. I was 14 years old, filmed it
on 8mm and I cast my school friends, most of whom were dreadful actors.
Which directors have influenced you most?
Hitchcock and Spielberg were my original influence, but it was more Scorsese and Cassavettes at film school. Now I'm drawn to
films by David Cronenberg and Michael Haneke, as well as Spike Lee, Tarantino, Oliver Stone and Cameron Crowe.
How has Last Horror Movie been received by the public and the press?
It's a divisive film which has split audiences and critics down the middle. Those looking for a fresh alternative to conventional
formulaic fayre should get a pleasant surprise, but those just looking for the sale old same old, might find it a challenge. It's not
an easy film to watch and I have had festival audiences walking out in disgust, but the fact that we have won so many awards
suggests that Last Horror Movie is as intelligent and thought provoking as it is shocking.
The lead character is extremely charismatic and likeable, especially when he's hanging out with friends and family, Was it
difficult to keep a balance between his atrocities and creating a rapore with the audience?
Psycho caused controversy in the 60's because it allowed the audience to share the point of view of the killer. We push the
envelope on that idea in Last Horror Movie by presenting our killer (Max) as the most nihilistic of anti-heroes. However, he's not
your typical social misit like Norman Bates, instead he's an intelligent charismatic charmer with an extremely twisted sense of
humour. This showmanship was important to keep our audience engaged with the video diary style of Last Horror Movie, but it
also suggests that serial killers do not always fit a comfortable stereotype.
The twist at the end is clearly designed for home viewing and reminded me a little of The Ring films in that respect, How
did you come up with it and why?
The job of a horror film director is to scare or shock the audience senseless, but with the current saturation of horror films
combined with the murder and mayhem we see everyday on News 24, that task is becoming more difficult to achieve. I think
people like horror movies because they can experience second hand in the comfort of their domestic sanctuaries events and
situations that they would have no desire to experience first hand, but with Last Horror Movie, we break that comfort zone by
heightening the degree of realism way beyond films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Blair Witch Project. Without giving too
much away Last Horror Movie is the ultimate in home invasion.
Cool At the start of the film you parody bad horror films, did you have any specific films in mind?
Any stalk and slash film where teenagers are being chased by a knife wielding maniac. Scream was a post modern satire of this
genre, and in some ways the opening of Last Horror Movie is a post modern satire of Scream. The horror genre de-constructing
itself, so to speak.
Do you have any other projects in the pipeline?
I have several, and first to go will be SUMMER SCARS - about a gang of school truants held hostage in the woods by a psychopath
armed with a pellet gun. I also have a revenge story called LONG DARK HOURS about a victim of school bullying turned serial
killer, out to avenge the gang that made his childhood such a hell. Both will be shot in Wales.
Last Horror Movie is an excellent horror film with a devious twist at the end, It's scares come from the contrast between the
apparent affability of our 'hero' and the heinous crimes he commits. Pushing the Mock documentary idea of Man Bites Dog
further by essentially making the killer his own director. The murderer confesses all to the camera so, unlike in Man Bites Dog,
where it is the film crew working with the psychopath who are sucked in to the action, thus becoming guilty themselves, in
this film you, the viewer, take on this role. Out now on Tartan Video.
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