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Thursday, August 28, 2008
So, it's stupid o clock in Heathrow airport. I'm sure I've been here before.
A combination of my nervousness about missing my flight (running to the gate in bare feet, clutching my wedges and distracting the gate attendant by dropping the content of my handbag on the floor so that Mark (Bushnell) had enough time to run back to security and retrieve his mic on the Goth Cruise pilot shoot, as he screamed "this flight's going, are you going on it" has done it to me. In theory it should make me more reckless but the lingering memory of tucking into breakfast the wrong side of security and realising that the huge queue was still ahead of us) and staying with the in-laws within earshot of Heathrow meant that I was through security and checked in more than 3 hours ahead of time. So now I'm hoovering up coffee with the flotsam and jetsom of Heathrow Terminal 4.
Heathrow, and it's surrounding area seems to be the backdrop to this year.
Sheil grew up within spitting distance of the end of the runway and the flights team over relentlessly. We've spent a lot of time here, visiting his parents or bringing our daughter down to stay. It's also the setting for his horror feature "Mum & Dad" which for economy's sake is the "Heathrow Texas Chain saw Massacre".
We travelled to Edinburgh film festival for the premiere - which saw the brochure contain the first official warning for years. It's not that grisly, well I guess it is, at times. Edinburgh was a full on onslaught of parties and films, like Glastonbury in heels.The fragrant Dido Miles aka "MUM" at Fright Fest, Leicester Square
Last weekend was the English premiere at
Fright Fest and I had the pleasure of viewing the film in Odeon Leicester Square along with about 600 ardent horror fans. It's amazing what the dynamic of an audience can do to a film. At Edinburgh it felt like the crowd winced with each new horror, at Fright Fest they revelled in it and each deserved death was met with cheers, leers and applause. Sheil introduced the film by telling the audience that "his mum had asked him to say that he came from a loving home and that this was no reflection on his upbringing" which got a big laugh, but is true. I don't think his parents will ever see Mum & Dad, and they probably shouldn't but we've had some weird stares when we've told people that our daughter "is with Mum & Dad" in Hounslow, you know, near the airport". Since the premiere I've been repeatedly asked - "what's it like going out with someone that dark?" and Sheil's stock response is "better out than in" but I love the fact that horror is the complete polar opposite to my work, in outcome, if not approach. And to be honest it's quite nice asking "kill many people at work today darling?" as the new scripts take shape.
The reason that I'm sat in the hinterland of T4 is that I'm waiting for a flight to St Louis. I'm taking part in some "meet the film-maker" events and sneak preview screenings of Goth Cruise at the Webster Film Series, St Louis, and a double bill of Teenland and Goth Cruise at Rag Tag Cinema, Columbia, 100 miles up the road. I'm being brought out by the lovely Mike Steinberg whom runs the Webster Film series and I met at Big Sky Documentary Festival, Missoula, Montana.Last time I met I was showing Teenland and Goth Cruise was merely a twinkle in IFC's eye. I can't believe that the film is done and dusted so quickly. I'm very interested to see how the film goes down with an American audience. We had a special screening, here in London about a month ago in support of the Sophie Lancaster charity at Rich Mix, London, which sold out and went overwhelmingly well. I got a lot of feedback after that night...
"Really, really enjoyed it - funny without being gratuitous; sweet without being sentimental."
"Don your best black eyeliner and run to see this film…. Whilst we went along expecting a giggle at the men in black, we actually saw a funny and touching portrait of a bunch of mostly very sweet, intelligent, welcoming misfits who are fiercely proud to be different and don't give a toss what the "norms" think of them." MTV
I think the aspect of the film that was perhaps surprising and I think is a strength is that the protagonists are given time to present themselves to the world, for good and bad, without being torn apart fro the amusement of the audience a la wife swap and other TV docs of their ilk. This isn't to say that I let my character's off, rather that I would rather people had time to present their story, again for good and bad, than be hamstrung by a damning voiceover.
It was all incredibly nerve-wracking - I've talked to Sheil about this and agree that it can be very exposing, you are putting your views out there to be liked or rejected, or worst of all - met with an indifferent shrug. Prior to the screening I had shown the completed film to about 10 of my nearest and dearest, full stop, so the prospect of showing to a sold out house was faintly terrifying.
The fastidiousness of the ushers at the cinema and enforced comp ticket seating, meant that I was seated directly behind Ian and Bridie (both in the film) and both seeing it for the first time as well. This made for a somewhat painful experience for me, as I anticipated each new scene, but they responded warmly and have come up with strategies for playing the film at Whitby Goth Weekend which would be a fitting home-coming. Wayne Hussey and Voltaire who are both in the film are appearing there this year so the timing seems fortuetous, watch this space. The film, as it is now, out there in the world, feels complete in a way it never could, sat on my shelf.Crispin after touching the archway (courtesy Mike Steinberg)
I have no expectations at all of St Louis. I saw some great pictures of Crispin Glover racing up some steps to touch the archway - he was last week's guest at Webster - and the city looks bigger than I imagined. Apart from that it'll all be new and I'm open to anything.Labels: crispin glover, Goth Cruise, st louis
posted by Jeanie Thursday, August 28, 2008
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