Posts Tagged ‘horror movies’

Early next month, the world premiere of Exhumed, a horror film by director Richard Griffin, and produced by Scorpio Film Releasing will make its debut at the Orpheum Theatre in Foxboro, MA. The film stars Debbie Rochon, Sarah Nicklin, Michael Reed, Michael Thurber, Rich Tretheway, Evalena Marie, and Jonathan Thomson. The movie follows the eerie tale of a twisted family that is seemingly trapped in their own home. This confined existence creates an escalating amount of stress and panic, finally resulting in violence. Griffin talked to HEC about the origins of the projects, what it took to get it off the ground, and why he thinks horror movies appeal to our most human side.

HEC: What was the inspiration for this project?

The origins of Exhumed go back to around 2008 when I came up with basic seed of the story. Over the next year or two I worked with a couple of writers trying to flesh out the story, but it never seemed to work out. Around 2010 I spoke to my friend Guy Benoit, who had just written Atomic Brain Invasion for me, about possibly writing a draft of the screenplay. Guy was excited about it, and took my rough treatment for the story and really fleshed it out and brought it to life. Without Guy’s involvement, and just the sheer quality of his screenplay, Exhumed never would have been made.

HEC: What was the most challenging aspect of making this movie?

The most challenging aspect was the fact the movie had to be made in 11 days. There was just a perfect window of time when the cast and crew I were going to be free… so we had to take advantage of that. So, we just hunkered down and worked around the clock — typically 14 hour days — to finish the movie. But when everything was said and done, it was finished…. No second unit shots were needed. That’s an amazing testament to an extremely talented and dedicated cast and crew.

HEC: What makes your movie special?

I don’t know what makes it special per say, but I will say it was made from the heart. Everyone approached this movie with a great deal of passion, knowing what we were going to end up with would be quality. But if I had to give an answer, I would say what makes it special is that it’s a plot/character driven movie in an age where those things seem to be secondary. Visually, it’s elegant in an age of shaky camera moves and other annoying gimmicks. In Exhumed there are no tricks or gimmick… just classic storytelling techniques.

HEC: What do you feel is the most unique aspect of making movies in New England?

I’ve never really made movies anywhere else, nor do I really wish to… I do know there is a magnificent community of filmmakers out here, everyone doing their thing and I believe that over the past five years the quality of the films have just gotten better and better. I hope it continues.

HEC:  Why do you feel audiences love horror movies so much?

I think on a very basic level we love to be frightened as long as there is a safety net underneath us. It’s why people love roller coaster rides and the like. It’s a thrill, a way of getting amped up. It’s also, on a much deeper level, a way of facing our fears and anxieties in a way no other genre of film allows. We’re all basically frightened of the same things… death, madness, disease, isolation. I think there is something very cathartic about going into a darkened theater to share those fears with other people in the audience.

Watch the Exhumed trailer below:

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Check out Exhumed during it’s world premiere at the Orpheum Theatre in Foxboro on November 11th. That evening there will be two showings, one at 7 p.m. and one at 9 p.m. You can find more information at the event’s Facebook page here.