Paul Risker talks zombies with Matthias Hoene, director of Cockneys vs Zombies and #dontbescared...
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Did you hear the news? Wednesday night saw Zombies take over Channel 4 when the short film #dontbescared aired; created by the writer-director of Cockneys vs Zombies Matthias Hoene and giffgaff. But these were not the Zombies we have become accustomed to through Zombie lore. No, Hoene and giffgaff in their 3 minute short film re-invented the Zombie myth, and offered us a teaser for a possible future based Zombie sitcom or comedy series, which would forever turn the Zombie myth on its head. If you happened to miss it then there is no need to worry, as you can head on over to www.dontbescared.co.uk where you will find the choice to watch the short with our without extras. Afterwards be sure to jump on Twitter and join in the discussion using the hashtag #dontbescared.
Flickering Myth had the chance to interview director Matthias Hoene, in which he spoke about his affection for Zombies, the origins of the #dontbescared short film as well as weighing in on the divisive debate - should Zombies walk or run?
Paul Risker: First Cockneys vs Zombies and now #dontbescared. Why the affection for the Zombie movie monster?
Matthias Hoene: I have loved Zombies since I watched Peter Jackson’s Braindead back in the eighties. I was also a big fan of Evil Dead 2. I like them because they are scary but they are also funny. Of course the Zombie movie has become a genre in itself like a thriller or a romantic comedy I suppose. In a way it is also a screenwriting trope, which is basically the Zombie enemy is kind of a metaphor for the unstoppable monster; the unstoppable enemy against which you can play your character’s dilemmas and dramas.
Paul Risker: What was the genesis of the idea for #dontbescared?
Matthias Hoene: The advertising company Fallon came to me with the idea of making a film that isn’t a commercial but is somehow…
Less people know about giffgaff because they don’t want to do any advertising but they have to in order to make people aware that it even exists. They wanted to do something different. Initially they wanted to organise a Zombie walk with members, and it sort of changed to make a cinematic short film involving the members of Zombies and people coming and working together in the giffgaff spirit, which is symbolised by the Zombies.
What was great about the project was that they came to me because they had seen Cockneys vs Zombies and they wanted to have a funny, warm interpretation of the Zombie myth. We worked on the ideas thoroughly over a few weeks, where to be honest it was unlike anything else; the type of filmmaking where the client would keep saying it is not outrageous enough and it is not close enough to being banned and we need to make it more gory. All of those sorts of things which was amazing! They really wanted to make something that was out there and which was hopefully polarising as well.
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Paul Risker: Recently there have been a number of companies exploiting film characters and creations for corporate gain i.e. licensing Yoda to Vodafone or the recent film based commercials in theatres. Despite the message at the end of #dontbescared is this not just another example of this trend?
Matthias Hoene: All of it is tricky in a world where people are used to getting things for free and downloading work illegally. Licensing Yoda to Vodafone of course is one thing and Star Wars doesn’t need that. For me as a filmmaker, the opportunity to make a three minute short film that is very much in the spirit of the things that I like, and the kind of work I like to do; to do that with giffgaff is kind of cool. It is someone helping me to make a short film. I felt that the advertising message was so quirky and different that I was okay with it. Is that fair to say?
Paul Risker: I personally enjoyed it, but I know there are those out there who are going to be more cynical.
Matthias Hoene: I think some people were disappointed because they thought it was going to be a new TV series. The teasers were intended to create intrigue, not to mislead, but on the other hand if people like it, let’s make it into a TV series. Let’s put the support behind it and then it will exist.
Paul Risker: You have said, “Despite first appearances, #dontbescared is a major departure…” Is this departure something you’d be interested to tackle in a feature film, an accompanying re-invention of the Zombie film which was explored earlier this year in Warm Bodies?
Matthias Hoene:Warm Bodies was a great film. Interestingly they had to create scarier Zombies to keep an antagonist in the face of the friendly Zombies. If you wanted to make a Zombie sitcom or something like that, maybe it doesn’t need that scarier element; it is just Zombies as humans.
It is certainly something that could be fun and worth exploring; a more twisted sitcom, comedy series or something. It would definitely be something I would be interested in, but the process of creating entertainment is very long winded and uncertain. So if there is interest from a broadcast or production entity, then it is certainly a possibility. But you never know with these things.
Paul Risker: Now you mention it I can see it working as a television series. Now I want to see this show. It’s certainly a viable idea because it represents a different take on both the Zombie and the sitcom. The short #dontbescared is a calling card to put the idea out there and to show the proposed tone. So, it sounds an intriguing project, but how likely do you think it is that we’ll see this show at some point in the future?
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Matthias Hoene: Now you say it, it is a good teaser for pitching a longer series. It makes complete sense, and if there is anyone at Channel 4, the BBC or one of these guys listening, then I’m here; I’m ready.
Paul Risker: There is the cynical argument that to re-invent movie monsters, to move them away from their traditional role undermines the reason for their existence. Is the danger of re-invention losing sight of the origins? On the other hand does it not enhance their appeal and develop their legacy?
Matthias Hoene: In the horror genre especially, it is so difficult to be original or add something to the mass mythology of everything that has come before. I kind of feel that it is our duty to try – maybe not to re-invent - but to add different shades to what we know already. In terms of Zombie movies it started with White Zombie or Dawn of the Dead, but as I said before I was a big fan of Peter Jackson’s Braindead. For me that is my favourite Zomedy, and of course there is also Shaun of the Dead.
It is a long history of films that we all draw on and you can never avoid drawing inspiration from all of these sources. But you always have to try and add something new to it. It is our duty and you would feel let down if you were seeing the same thing again wouldn’t you?
Paul Risker: Absolutely, and if you reduce it to one simple purpose, in this case a creation to terrorise, if that is all you ever do with a creation then you fail to explore it as a character within a narrative. Just as the hero evolved through his transformation into the anti-hero, so too should the Zombie, Vampires and other monsters have the same opportunity.
Matthias Hoene: Absolutely and even with this giffgaff short, I was aware of Warm Bodies and all the other films that came before it. Whilst there have been friendly Zombies before it was in the romantic context, and I wanted my Zombies to be a little bit more edgy whilst still being friendly. So they are friendly but they still snap at you. They are still interesting to be around though they are a different shade to what has come before.
Paul Risker: I need to ask you to weigh in on the debate that divides horror fans. Should Zombies run or walk?
Matthias Hoene: When I started devising Cockneys vs Zombies it was all about fast moving Zombies. Nobody was doing slow. People were even saying, “You can’t do slow because they are not scary and no one wants to watch a slow moving Zombie film.” Then of course The Walking Dead came out and that all changed again. Now there are two camps.
I am a slow moving Zombie guy because otherwise I feel that it is a different genre. Fast moving Zombies turn your film into a chase movie where everyone is out of breath and running away all of the time. Slow moving Zombies give you a little more time to explore the characters and basically have fun with the Zombies. I still love the fact that Zombies are kind of endearing in their pained, shuffling, and groaning misery.
Paul Risker: Likewise I am a slow moving Zombie guy. What can we look forward to seeing from you next?
Matthias Hoene: I have been developing a science-fiction script with Ian Shaw, an American writer. We recently set it up at Twentieth Century Fox and I am going over there next week to meet all the producers and executives. It is sort of the first step into development and hopefully at the end point we’ll have a green light.
It is certainly an exciting time. I met producer Hutch Parker who is working on X-Men: Days of Future Past at the moment and who has just finished The Wolverine. I am very excited but it is down to the team to take this first step and then turn it into a green light. As always in the movies it is a big hassle to make something happen. It is so difficult to get a movie off the ground in the first place. People have no idea [laughs].
You can watch #dontbescared at www.dontbescared.co.uk.
Many thanks to Matthias Hoene for taking the time for this interview.
Paul Risker is co-editor in chief of Wages of Film, freelance writer and contributor to Flickering Myth and Scream The Horror Magazine.
Flickering Myth had the chance to interview director Matthias Hoene, in which he spoke about his affection for Zombies, the origins of the #dontbescared short film as well as weighing in on the divisive debate - should Zombies walk or run?
Paul Risker: First Cockneys vs Zombies and now #dontbescared. Why the affection for the Zombie movie monster?
Matthias Hoene: I have loved Zombies since I watched Peter Jackson’s Braindead back in the eighties. I was also a big fan of Evil Dead 2. I like them because they are scary but they are also funny. Of course the Zombie movie has become a genre in itself like a thriller or a romantic comedy I suppose. In a way it is also a screenwriting trope, which is basically the Zombie enemy is kind of a metaphor for the unstoppable monster; the unstoppable enemy against which you can play your character’s dilemmas and dramas.
Paul Risker: What was the genesis of the idea for #dontbescared?
Matthias Hoene: The advertising company Fallon came to me with the idea of making a film that isn’t a commercial but is somehow…
Less people know about giffgaff because they don’t want to do any advertising but they have to in order to make people aware that it even exists. They wanted to do something different. Initially they wanted to organise a Zombie walk with members, and it sort of changed to make a cinematic short film involving the members of Zombies and people coming and working together in the giffgaff spirit, which is symbolised by the Zombies.
What was great about the project was that they came to me because they had seen Cockneys vs Zombies and they wanted to have a funny, warm interpretation of the Zombie myth. We worked on the ideas thoroughly over a few weeks, where to be honest it was unlike anything else; the type of filmmaking where the client would keep saying it is not outrageous enough and it is not close enough to being banned and we need to make it more gory. All of those sorts of things which was amazing! They really wanted to make something that was out there and which was hopefully polarising as well.
Matthias Hoene: All of it is tricky in a world where people are used to getting things for free and downloading work illegally. Licensing Yoda to Vodafone of course is one thing and Star Wars doesn’t need that. For me as a filmmaker, the opportunity to make a three minute short film that is very much in the spirit of the things that I like, and the kind of work I like to do; to do that with giffgaff is kind of cool. It is someone helping me to make a short film. I felt that the advertising message was so quirky and different that I was okay with it. Is that fair to say?
Paul Risker: I personally enjoyed it, but I know there are those out there who are going to be more cynical.
Matthias Hoene: I think some people were disappointed because they thought it was going to be a new TV series. The teasers were intended to create intrigue, not to mislead, but on the other hand if people like it, let’s make it into a TV series. Let’s put the support behind it and then it will exist.
Paul Risker: You have said, “Despite first appearances, #dontbescared is a major departure…” Is this departure something you’d be interested to tackle in a feature film, an accompanying re-invention of the Zombie film which was explored earlier this year in Warm Bodies?
Matthias Hoene:Warm Bodies was a great film. Interestingly they had to create scarier Zombies to keep an antagonist in the face of the friendly Zombies. If you wanted to make a Zombie sitcom or something like that, maybe it doesn’t need that scarier element; it is just Zombies as humans.
It is certainly something that could be fun and worth exploring; a more twisted sitcom, comedy series or something. It would definitely be something I would be interested in, but the process of creating entertainment is very long winded and uncertain. So if there is interest from a broadcast or production entity, then it is certainly a possibility. But you never know with these things.
Paul Risker: Now you mention it I can see it working as a television series. Now I want to see this show. It’s certainly a viable idea because it represents a different take on both the Zombie and the sitcom. The short #dontbescared is a calling card to put the idea out there and to show the proposed tone. So, it sounds an intriguing project, but how likely do you think it is that we’ll see this show at some point in the future?
Paul Risker: There is the cynical argument that to re-invent movie monsters, to move them away from their traditional role undermines the reason for their existence. Is the danger of re-invention losing sight of the origins? On the other hand does it not enhance their appeal and develop their legacy?
Matthias Hoene: In the horror genre especially, it is so difficult to be original or add something to the mass mythology of everything that has come before. I kind of feel that it is our duty to try – maybe not to re-invent - but to add different shades to what we know already. In terms of Zombie movies it started with White Zombie or Dawn of the Dead, but as I said before I was a big fan of Peter Jackson’s Braindead. For me that is my favourite Zomedy, and of course there is also Shaun of the Dead.
It is a long history of films that we all draw on and you can never avoid drawing inspiration from all of these sources. But you always have to try and add something new to it. It is our duty and you would feel let down if you were seeing the same thing again wouldn’t you?
Paul Risker: Absolutely, and if you reduce it to one simple purpose, in this case a creation to terrorise, if that is all you ever do with a creation then you fail to explore it as a character within a narrative. Just as the hero evolved through his transformation into the anti-hero, so too should the Zombie, Vampires and other monsters have the same opportunity.
Matthias Hoene: Absolutely and even with this giffgaff short, I was aware of Warm Bodies and all the other films that came before it. Whilst there have been friendly Zombies before it was in the romantic context, and I wanted my Zombies to be a little bit more edgy whilst still being friendly. So they are friendly but they still snap at you. They are still interesting to be around though they are a different shade to what has come before.
Paul Risker: I need to ask you to weigh in on the debate that divides horror fans. Should Zombies run or walk?
Matthias Hoene: When I started devising Cockneys vs Zombies it was all about fast moving Zombies. Nobody was doing slow. People were even saying, “You can’t do slow because they are not scary and no one wants to watch a slow moving Zombie film.” Then of course The Walking Dead came out and that all changed again. Now there are two camps.
I am a slow moving Zombie guy because otherwise I feel that it is a different genre. Fast moving Zombies turn your film into a chase movie where everyone is out of breath and running away all of the time. Slow moving Zombies give you a little more time to explore the characters and basically have fun with the Zombies. I still love the fact that Zombies are kind of endearing in their pained, shuffling, and groaning misery.
Paul Risker: Likewise I am a slow moving Zombie guy. What can we look forward to seeing from you next?
Matthias Hoene: I have been developing a science-fiction script with Ian Shaw, an American writer. We recently set it up at Twentieth Century Fox and I am going over there next week to meet all the producers and executives. It is sort of the first step into development and hopefully at the end point we’ll have a green light.
It is certainly an exciting time. I met producer Hutch Parker who is working on X-Men: Days of Future Past at the moment and who has just finished The Wolverine. I am very excited but it is down to the team to take this first step and then turn it into a green light. As always in the movies it is a big hassle to make something happen. It is so difficult to get a movie off the ground in the first place. People have no idea [laughs].
You can watch #dontbescared at www.dontbescared.co.uk.
Many thanks to Matthias Hoene for taking the time for this interview.
Paul Risker is co-editor in chief of Wages of Film, freelance writer and contributor to Flickering Myth and Scream The Horror Magazine.