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Your upcoming movie The Mystery of Emma Thorn - in a few
words, what's it going to be about?
The
movie is a mystery/drama about a woman who’s disappeared, and the
husband and son left to unravel how and why. What were your
sources of inspiration when writing The Mystery of Emma Thorn? I
had this idea for a film’s ending and, based on that, I originally
thought I was going to write a more traditional mystery/thriller/horror
sort of thing, but as I began writing, the characters led me down a more
emotional path. So, I’d say it’s more akin to films like Arrival or
Field
of Dreams—films that are, on the outside, about attempting to solve
a mystery, but prove to be much more about the human condition, its
fragility and the emotional wreckage that can result. Given
the last two movies you've directed, Deadly
Revisions and Garden
Party Massacre, were quite different from one another in style and
story, in which direction will The Mystery of Emma Thorn go? Deadly
Revisions—despite really being a psychological thriller—was, largely, an homage to the
horror genre; so, it was filmed to emulate the trappings of that genre,
including winks to famous horror directors’ camera techniques. And
with Garden
Party Massacre being
a spoof, I wanted the camera to be part of the comedy; so, there are all
sorts of humorous shots and camera moves and what-have-you.
I’m leaning toward a much more traditional aesthetic for The
Mystery of Emma Thorn because—in this case—I
don’t want the camera to draw attention to itself at all; it would be a
disservice to the story, the characters, and the emotional journey they
are on to make any kind of comment on that through the artifice of flashy
camerawork.
Do talk about The Mystery of Emma Thorn's approach to horror for a
bit! Well, as I mentioned, it’s not a horror film…despite the idea that inspired
it. What I will say is that one element of horror that does exist
throughout the film is the horror of losing someone you love. And the
horror of betrayal (though it’s a bit more layered and subtle). There is
that one element that may make the final moments feel a bit like a macabre
horror film ending, but—and here’s the fascinating thing—it also can
be seen as something quite beautiful. Most people who’ve read the
script, don’t find the ending horrific at all… but, instead, find it
sweet and very moving. Imagine that! That kind of alchemy, where horror
and beauty coexist… and the audience can decide which one they see and
how they respond… I think that’s exciting!
What can you tell us about the intended overall
look and feel of your movie? I
want the film to maintain a hypnotic, almost dreamlike tone because the
lead characters are in a sort of surreal daze, emotionally. Almost as if
they were suddenly trapped underwater and unable to catch their breath or
move in any way other than a slow, belabored fashion. I think that’s
often how people in these situations feel, so I want to manifest that in
the film. A visual tone poem, if you will—moving in that slow,
stealthful way that our doubts and demons creep up on us. From what I've read, The
Mystery of Emma Thorn's titular character will be played by none other
than horror icon Lynn Lowry - so what made her perfect for the role, and
how did you get her even? Lynn
and I met at a film festival many years ago and have wanted to work
together ever since. We’ve kept in touch over the years, but no project
has ever come to fruition that brought us together. And then this
odd series of events occurred. I rarely think of actors when I’m
writing—but I suddenly saw Lynn’s face as Emma, and I knew it was a
perfect match. And her ears must have been ringing, because she contacted
me shortly after I’d finished it, and we started chatting. I told her I
thought she’d be great, but that it wasn’t a horror film. She was
thrilled and excited to do a drama. So, I sent her the script and she came
back to me the next day and said she loved it and that she’d love to
play Emma. So,
this film is finally affording us the chance to work together. We’re
both really excited.
Anything you can tell us about
the rest of your cast yet, and why exactly these people? The
rest of my cast are brilliant, talented actors that I’ve worked with
before, and I think people are really going to be excited when I finally
announce them. Will you
appear in front of the camera in The Mystery of Emma Thorn as well? Yes,
I’ll be acting in the piece as well. The actor in me has—as many
actors have—come to embrace the reality that you have to create your own
opportunities. And
after the incredible honor and challenge of playing the hateful Roy Cohn
in Angels in America last year,
I am looking forward to playing a character who is the polar opposite in
this film.
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As
we speak, The Mystery of Emma Thorn is still in pre-production - so
what's the schedule, however tentative, and any idea when and where the
film might be released yet? It
will depend on if we go into production in late spring or early fall of
2024. I’d say its earliest street date would likely be late 2026 or
early 2027. But we’ll see. Any future projects beyond The
Mystery of Emma Thorn you'd like to share? There
are a few others I can’t talk about yet. But I can reveal I’ll be
playing Dr. Hackman (a kind of mad scientist) in Adam Steigert’s OMBIS
2: Alien Awakening [Adam R.
Steigert interview - click here]. It will be the third time I’ve worked with Adam. And
I have a whole handful of projects (as an actor) that are scheduled to be
released this year.
Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27791072/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Mystery-of-Emma-Thorn/100092660858924/
Official site: http://www.2writers.com/TheMysteryOfEmmaThorn.htm
Video teaser: https://youtu.be/Z36RUtVigbA
Anything
else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? We’re
set to launch a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo July 1st, so everyone,
please be on the lookout for that! Thanks
for the interview!
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