Director: Gabriel Carrer
Writer: Dave McLeod
Starring: Kristen Kaster, Sasha Ormond, Matthew Ninaber, Justin Bott, Matt Daciw
Synopsis – After the death of her sister, a woman is visited by a man looking to solve a series of murders by a motorcycle maniac. As their shared fear grows, the killer’s rampage continues, leaving them both questioning who the real monster is.
Death Cycle played at Dead and Sudburied on Saturday, 18th October at 12:25 PM.
Q. Your film Death Cycle has been selected for Dead and Sudburied, can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from the film?
A. Death Cycle is a thriller slasher with some giallo sensibilities woven throughout the film. Audiences can expect black leather, motorcycle, some solid kills, and a really good score. We through the expected out the window, but at the same time, we keep it simple. In a day where everything depends on a twist, we just played it for what it was.
Q. What first attracted you to the script which was written by Dave McLeod?
A. Dave and I have been working together for years. We sort of placed what we had access too, and formed the script around that. A few of us have our motorcycle licenses, and all the locations we had were accessible for us to use. So we built the story around what we had. It gave me some artistic freedom to explore shots and scenes. It was a story that enabled me to flex a visual muscle with our amazing cinematographer Andy Wolting. It also enabled me to zoom in with the actors regarding their performances, and get real intimate with them, and let them breathe within the frame.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I love European cinema. There is no rush, and their films reflect their way of life that so many westerners want to achieve. In an age with quick cuts, and rushing through story and plot, I wanted to take a step back and slow things down. I always enjoy films that linger on frames. In fact some shots in this film were done in between scenes, when the camera was still rolling and the performers were still in their moment. I am a big fan of You Were Never Really Here (2017) by Lynne Ramsay, David Fincher and the obvious league of our giallo favourites such as Dario Argento, Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, etc. We wanted to make sure we had shots in this that played off the giallo technique, but not treat it with satire. We did take a more serious response to our visuals.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. We did. The ending when through so many variants. To this day, the team and I talk about the ending, and where we wanted to go with it. But with time and money being a huge constraint, we really had to minimize certain events. Audiences would probably be shocked to hear what ending we wanted. I often joke saying we should find some animators to do it for us as a post-credit sequence.
Q. What were some of your favourite memories of making the Film?
A. All of them. This was my favourite film to produce to date. Some days Andy and I would just go to set, and literally paint scenes. Him and I would just talk, block and get genuinely excited about shooting certain scenes. One particular death was shot with mirrors. Andy and I were in heaven. The motel stuff was pretty comical, it was just myself, Andy and Matthew Ninaber locked in a motel room for one evening. We shot everything ourselves, then went out for breakfast at Dennys. Shooting the motorcycle stuff was a blast and a learning experience. I had motorcycle elements in my previous film, but I really wanted to get the audience member into the seat of the rider and try some new visuals with this.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. Budget. This film was shot on a shoestring budget. When I say shoestring, maybe have a shoestring. In fact, one shot in the film contains our leftover pizza dinner and black coffee used as blood because
we were so low budget.. I won’t say what scene, but if you look, you’ll see that it’s clearly cheese from
a slice of pizza.
Q. What makes Death Cycle stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. Death Cycle celebrates the slow pace of what makes horror and slasher films fun to watch. We
wanted to have a slasher thriller with giallo sensibilities. It also has a bit of a middle finger to certain tendencies that films who play it safe do. That gives Death Cycle it’s metal flare. We had nothing to loose on this. We don’t care if people like it or hate it. We made it for us, and love the shit out of it.
There is zero risk when you do something that you ultimately love.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. The film is more then just the ending. The film is a commentary on how not everything needs to be wrapped up nicely or neatly. It’s okay to play things out with no surprises. We have a small post-credit sequence plays after the closing credits. Some people came to us wanting a sequel, but it doesn’t mean that. I want this film to be a nod and a handshake to giallo cinema.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. We are currently working on two projects. One monster picture, and another that will be going to camera fall in 2026. Completely different film, not a giallo. Consider it a pissed off horror film that leans into my addiction to solo RPG games.
Q. If someone was looking to get into filmmaking film what advice would you give them?
A. Make the film. I don’t think I have anything new to add to this, but just go and make something that you love to see, and that you feel good doing. Use what you have. Don’t you dare stop because someone tells you that you can’t do it. That is more the reason to go out and do it, and when you do finish it, that is the biggest ass kicking moment. We shot Death Cycle on our weekends! Literally, we would go out, shoot 2-3 days, then prep the other few days. We live in an era where you can grab a camera and shoot something the way you want it. Don’t wait around.
Death Cycle will be playing at Dead and Sudburied on Saturday 18th October at 12:25PM.
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Find out more about the festival and purchase tickets for Death Cycle here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
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