Interview with local makers of new horror, The Last Light
by James Gracey Belfast based Production Company Yellow Fever Films burst onto the local scene in 2008 with their blackly comic and gore-drenched zombie flick, Battle of the Bone. A major hit on indie film festival circuits around the world, Battle of the Bone proved there could be more to Northern Irish cinema than ‘the troubles.’ Their follow up, The Knackery, was a no-budget reality TV satire featuring genetically modified zombies and yet more buckets of the red stuff. A change of pace produced last year’s offering The Truth About Tom, Dick and Harry, an existential sci-fi oddity which premiered at the 2nd Yellow Fever Film Festival. Currently in post-production on their latest project, an old-school chiller called The Last Light, YFF have gone back to basics to produce a creepy spook-fest. Filmed in a reputedly haunted house on the North coast, and based on events alleged to have occurred in the house, The Last Light promises to deliver moody thrills in the way which only classic, old fashioned ghost stories can. The Big List caught up with director George Clarke and actor Robert Render to talk about things that go bump in the night. This is the first excerpt from the interview, the next will go on our website on Wednesday June 8. Where did the idea for The Last Light come from? Clarke: The idea for the story came to me when I was at Cairndhu House last October with the investigation group Paranormal Ulster. Although it was pitch black, I was able to piece the place together in torch light and as always, started thinking ‘movie.’ When I got home, I started writing. A few weeks later, we returned with a medium, which opened up many new avenues for the story. I came up with an experiment for the film that would involve recreating the sightings and hauntings in the house, filmed in the exact same spot they would have happened. Robert, can you tell me about your character? Render: My character, Rob Walker, is a maintenance man who is tasked with trying to stop kids from breaking in and destroying the old house. He is heading out to the house for what should be his last day there, in order to board up the last few windows of the house, but when he gets there, the kids start to mess with him. Or is it really the kids? What was it like filming in the house? Render: The first few days there felt really creepy, as it gets so dark in some rooms that even at midday on a very sunny day, you cannot see your hand in front of your face. After I got used to the layout of the house however, it got a lot easier to get around. I was happy to get out of there on the last day of filming, but I was also sad to leave. The house is absolutely awesome. I really wish I could have seen it in its heyday, as it must have been a beautiful, majestic building. It is such a pity that it went into such disrepair. Clarke: I had waited 17 years to get into Cairndhu House. I had seen it in its former glory, and knew it wouldn't be the same again. A property developer that had too much money and not enough concern for a listed building, let it fall into disrepair, so my first visit inside was actually quite upsetting but certainly not disappointing. It has been an honour to have it as the star of my new film. You can find out more about the film on their Facebook page and watch a trailer for the film here. Visit here for the concluding part of the interview
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all articles, advertisements and other insertions in the Website, the publishers can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or incorrect insertions. The views of the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the advertisers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. By entering this site the user accepts a charge of £10,000 if the site is used for advertising canvassing purposes or published in any way.
Incoming Incoming….Prepare For Evacuation!
