Even before my parents were scaring the shit out of
me and my sisters when we were kids with movies like
GREMLINS and
CRITTERS (Keep in mind I was 6 at the time)
they were scaring us at bedtime by
telling us stories of a headless horseman that rode through Sleepy Hollow and
about dead brides who cross ‘Texas Road’ at night. (A local haunted
street) It was a rearing like this that not only helped foster my unhealthy
obsession for horror, but also helped create a love in me for folklore and legends.
It’s because of this love for urban legends and
folklore that I am incredibly excited for the upcoming indy flick
ALBINO FARM.
Co-written and co-directed by Sean McEwen and Joe Anderson, the
film grew out of a local legend that these guys grew up with. I was able to talk
with Sean McEwen who spoke very passionately to me about
folklore in general and the story behind ALBINO FARM.
Sean McEwen
So Sean, tell me about ALBINO FARM
The film is based on a legend unique to Southwest
Missouri and the Ozark Mountains. While there are variations of the legend, we took one and extrapolated on it to create an intensely, frightening and horrific
story, reminiscent of horror fare from the 1970’s. It will absolutely contain
elements geared toward the core audience, including extreme moments that have
never been seen in a horror film before! This is a creature driven film!
Now I understand that this film is based
on an urban legend from the area in which your actually filming ALBINO FARM.
What can you tell me about that legend.
One of the compelling “qualities” of a legend is
that multiple versions or variations can exist and ALBINO FARM is no
exception. What each variation has in common, if it’s a good story, is an
inherent fear rooted in a cultural, sociological or psychological dynamic. Add
to that a universality that is relative to a time or place and you have the
makings for one hell of a narrative.
The story itself becomes a commentary for a place or
time, a window into our own cultural psyche. As outlandish as a legend may be,
they always seem to have a relatable fear threaded throughout. And the closer
they are to plausibility, the more frightening they become.
As far as the ALBINO FARM legend, there was a
particular version that especially intrigued us. The story goes that an
abandoned farm, tucked deep in the hills of the Ozark Mountains, hides a
horrific and embarrassing past for the people of Southwest Missouri. In the
latter part of the 19th century, the farm was believed to have been
used as an interment camp filled with dozens of “misunderstood people”, all
afflicted with various physical deformities and genetic disorders. At this time,
a prevailing climate of religious idolatry fueled by isolationism and ignorance
dominated Ozarkian backwoods culture. Believing that whatever they didn’t
understand must be evil, these “damned souls”, as they were called, were rounded
up and thrown away there. Ostracized, they were forced to live within the
farm’s walls as pariahs of society, simply because they were “different”. Not
until the outside world learned of this injustice was the camp finally shut down
and the poor people freed. Again, we took that version and infused it with our
own relative discoveries to create a terrifying mystery that unfolds throughout
the film.
How did you first learn about this story?
I first heard a version of the legend while
attending school in Springfield Missouri at Missouri State University. It was
one of those tales you hear about in the “pantheon” of collegiate and dorm room
“lore” that begs to grab a couple of your suite mates, crack open a beer and run
around the local woods trying to find it. Of course, we never did, but the woods
and our imaginations inspired all sorts of strange and exciting experiences that
we had to share with other students all adding to the legend and it’s story.
Is folklore and urban legends a common
theme that you would like to continue to work in for future film projects?
I think a major element that separates ALBINO
FARM from the majority of other genre fare is that it is based on something
tangible. And by “tangible” I mean that you can literally travel to that area of
the country (the Ozarks) ask around and through story and recollection see it
take life via one of the greatest storytelling devices of all – oral tradition.
As the lines of “true” and “perceived” history are blurred through this
tradition, they spread roots and take on a weight of reality. The questions of,
“is this real?” and “did this really happen?”, continually crop up. And while
it can’t be 100% answered, even the remote possibility of its truth adds to its
validity and makes it extremely frightening. So to answer your question, we
would absolutely like to continue the exploration of legends and folklore,
especially those that relate to the unique culture of Middle America and the
south.
There are just too many good stories to ignore!
Now what can you tell me
about the ‘creatures’ from ALBINO FARM
One of the most important
components for the production is the design and execution of the creatures. We
all agreed that no matter what, they had to be a “home run”! There is a unique
story behind “Albino Farm” that left the genesis of these creatures wide open to
whatever our imaginations could come up with. It’s been an amazing and inspiring
process to watch what we originally put down on the page, come to life right
before our eyes in full “flesh and blood”! Award winning Creature F/X artist
Jason Barnett and his team have truly blown us away! Jason has worked on some of
Hollywood’s biggest films and is currently launching his own company “Industrial
Monsters and Props” (www.eccentricmonument.com). It’s
unbelievably exciting to see someone so talented and driven making a name for
himself as he spearheads our project!
What is your favorite urban legend or
folklore story?
ALBINO FARM, of course! But I do have to say,
that I have always been interested in legend and folklore. I still remember
watching a TV special on Bigfoot when I was a kid and the impact the Patterson-Gimlin
film had on me…you know, the grainy, 8mm footage of what was supposed to be an
actual “Bigfoot” walking in the wilderness. Of course there are many critics
with regard to the authenticity of the footage but there is something extremely
disturbing because of its “realism”.
The poor quality of the footage and the
distance between the camera and the subject allows the audience to “fill in” the
proverbial blanks with your own imaginative reality. It’s extremely effective
and impactful. And while the ALBINO FARM movie is in NO way shot
documentary style, we will create a horrific palate for the audience to open
their minds to as the mystery of the ALBINO FARM legend unfolds. Believe
me, there’s a lot of applicable information we uncovered that will blow you
away!
Anything else our readers
might like to know about your cast and crew from ALBINO FARM?
Our director of photography is the insanely talented Rene Jung. Rene currently
owns and operates the production company Juri Film Entertainment (www.jurifilm.com).
We’re also blessed to have Scott Rockenfield, award-winning drummer for the
heavy metal band Queensryche as our composer (www.rockenfieldmusic.com). I
can’t tell you how excited we are to infuse Scott’s musical talent with the
terrifying story behind ALBINO FARM! Music Composition is one of the most
important elements in a film. Early discussions with Scott have revealed some
amazing ideas that not only support the story but will transport it to a whole
other level!
Wow, ALBINO FARM sounds like it’s really going to
be great Sean. Thank you for your time and good luck!
Well there you have it folks, some horror from
America’s heartland. I mean the fact that this movie is based on a real story,
and a real f**ked up story at that makes it all the more interesting, don’t you
think? Also I find it incredibly interesting that when ALBINO FARM is
finished, directors Sean McEwen and Joe Anderson are planning to have a showing
inside the cave complex where parts of the movie were actually shot. (Fantastic Caverns
is
located just outside of Springfield, Missouri) So
make sure to check back here at AITH for more information on ALBINO FARM
as it happens, including dates for the screenings at the caves!
VISIT THE OFFICIAL ALBINO FARM SITE HERE