Two features in Film Stories, July 2021 – ‘Censor’ & ‘Drop Dead Fred’ – on sale

On sale now – I’ve written two features for the latest issue of the glorious Film Stories magazine.

First, I chatted with captivating BAFTA-nominated actress, Niamh Algar, about British psychological horror Censor for the cover feature. I’ve been a fan of Niamh’s for a while now since her roles in The Bisexual and Pure, so it was great getting under the skin of her character in this movie – a stylish, smokey piece set against the backdrop of the 1980s video nasty era by debut featuremaker, Prano Bailey-Bond. The UK cinema release date is now 20th August.

Second, I had the honour of interviewing director Ate de Jong about a film I hold dear to my heart, Drop Dead Fred. A personal favourite from my childhood, for reasons I discuss in the piece, Ate and I spoke at length about the serious undertones of this gross-out comedy that was unfairly dismissed in the early nineties, but thirty years later has finally found its audience and cult status. Starring one of my all-time heroes, Rik Mayall, I got the skinny on all the folklore around Fred. I did meet Rik once in my twenties, but that’s a whole other story!

Massive gratitude to the editor, Simon Brew, for once again giving me the pages to write about films I adore and speak to people I admire.

It’s on sale now!

https://www.filmstories.co.uk/news/film-stories-issue-26-july-2021-full-details-and-order-your-copy-here/

Nine-page article in Film Stories, Issue 14, March 2020 – on sale now!

Aside from writing my new play, prepping for my next short film and cooking up some other secret projects, I carved out time to write another piece for the INCREDIBLE movie magazine, Film Stories, issue fourteen.

This time, I interviewed eight great directors about the challenges they’ve faced getting their feature films made, their inspirations, honing their craft, obstacles they’ve overcome and still combat in the industry, and they also shared their wisdom and advice for new filmmakers. Oh, and though not a big deal, all eight of these incredible directors are female filmmakers. Both Film Stories and I are proud of this. We celebrate them in this mammoth nine-age article, the longest feature that Film Stories has published to date. It’s available in indie shops, the BFI Southbank shop and to order online.

Huge thanks to the filmmakers who spoke to me around their exceptionally busy work schedules and personal commitments to share their stories and experiences:

Alice Lowe

Prano Bailey-Bond

Rachel Tunnard

Hope Dickson Leach

Aislinn Clarke

Rita Osei

Jeanie Finlay

Chelsea Stardust

And great thanks to Simon Brew, the editor of Film Stories, for asking me to write this, but also for consistently putting together such a brilliantly entertaining, informative, exciting, independent and cool magazine, and in glorious fine-smelling print no less, not just digital.

Connie Screenings, Panel & Videos for Women in Horror Month 2017!

Women in Horror Month 2017  is almost upon us! Women in Horror Month (WiHM) is an international, grassroots initiative, which encourages supporters to learn about and showcase the work of women in the horror industries.

I’m very pleased to support #WHIM this year, with Connie screening at one event and I’m also part of a panel discussion at another:

WIHM: United in Blood 2017 Vol.1 
Friday 10th February, 7pm, The Macbeth of Hoxton, 70 Hoxton St, London N1 6LP

Shorts:
Used: Destinie Orndoff
Halloween: Monica Demes
Beauty N’ Blood: Tapanga McCarbe
Nasty: Prano Bailey-Bond
Mauvaises Têtes: Rebekah Fieschi

8:10. WHIM Panel moderated by Wendy Rose:
Emma Dark, Cat Davies, Prano Bailey-Bond & more

9:20: Soska Sisters Massive Blood Drive PSA.

WIHM: United in Blood 2017 Vol.2 
Sunday February 19th, 6.30pm, The Hen & Chickens Theatre 109 St Paul’s Rd, N1 2NA

Shorts:
Mindless: Katie Bonham
Slit: Pablo Absento
Connie: Cat Davies 
A Tricky Treat: Patricia Chica
The Stylist: Jill Gevargizian
Madre De Dios: Gigi Saul Guerrero
Innsmouth: Izzy Lee

Feature Film:
Slasher House 2 (Intro + Q&A with MJ & Anna Dixon)

If those line ups aren’t persuasive enough to get you to come and support, Connie has thrown in her two cents worth in a very special video announcement made especially to promote her screening:

***NEW EVENT ADDED***

Connie will also be screening in Dublin on Sunday 19th February – our Irish premiere, as part of another WIHM event!

Acid Cane Presents: Women in Horror (Dublin)

Sunday February 19th, 6pm

The Liquor Rooms

5 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland

€12 on the door

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I also played a nurse for director Damon Rickard for his contribution to the amazing Soska Sisters Blood Drive PSA, Bloody Nurses. It was a really fun shoot and a fantastic way to kick off 2017. For now though, here’s some behind the scenes and official stills from the shoot until the bloody video is unleashed on you all!

Playing a nurse in Bloody Nurses, directed by Damon Rickard Pic: Mike Shawcross at This Thing Called Photography

Fight to the death, with Lucy Clements & Jessica Messenger Pic: Mike Shawcross at This Thing Called Photography

3 Bloody Nurses Pic: James Moran

With fellow Bloody Nurses, Lucy Clements & Jessica Messenger Pic: Mike Shawcross at This Thing Called Photography

Fresh make-up! Pic: Cat Davies

A little light head injury… (SFX) Pic: Cat Davies

BTS shot Pic: Jack Ayers

So, spread the word about these arse-kicking events and let’s celebrate female talent in horror! Shout about them from the rooftops, and enjoy the films!