A healthy diet of ‘80s horror in his childhood is what caused Chris to develop an obsession for the films. So much so that when VHS started to become a dead media, Chris did the most logical thing: “When my local video stores closed down their VHS section I bought up as much ‘80s horror, action and soft porn titles as I could. The video covers are a work of art in themselves – I have somewhere over 350 titles lining my bookshelves”.
Along with his production company, Chris is the owner of the successful venue, Red Bennies, which meant his creative side projects were benched shortly after shooting had begun, almost over 18 months ago. However, completion of the film only took two long grueling days, a lot of fake blood, pig intestines and an old St Kilda mansion to polish off the seven-minute zombie fest.
The thirst for blood is not unlike the thirst for drugs. Yes, I know zombies aren’t real (but don’t act like the nerd inside of you doesn’t wish they were) but the emergence of methamphetamine addiction in Melbourne and nationwide definitely is.
Having witnessed first hand someone close to him lose themselves to the drug, Chris decided to use his personal experiences and creative juices to tell the story of Meth To Madness. While highlighting the social message was never the original intention of the film, today’s youth will be able to relate one way or another to the characters.
I’m sure we’ve all at some point in our young lives found ourselves stumbling around like the walking dead after a raging night out (minus the meth I hope!). The film has even been suggested as a propaganda piece for anti-drug campaigners. 28 Weeks Later meets ‘Don’t turn a night out into a nightmare’, anyone?
The film centres on a young woman, Zoe, who is eager to impress on a first date. Not one to follow the clichéd ‘dinner and a movie’ combo, her date takes her to a drug dealer’s house, of course. Given the chance to try methamphetamine for the first time, Zoe simply shrugs her shoulders and replies, “Why not?”
This is where the madness sets in. The physical and mental transformation that Zoe takes on is depicted through a bloody haze of crack pipes and ‘80s gore. If the dark, scary world of serious drug addiction isn’t horrifying enough, throw in some bloodthirsty zombies and you’ve got yourself one killer of a film.
Chris is one serious filmmaker to keep your eye on. Meth To Madness was the only short film to appear in Bloodfest, which screened on the opening night. Since then, the film has been submitted to a number of international horror film festivals.
Bloodfest has been a great catapult for Chris and the film. “It’s an honour to appear as the only short film for the opening night screening; the guys from MUFF do a great job in exposing new talent.”
The film is sure to be a worldwide success, receiving Best Short Film award and Best Short Film Director award at Bloodfest – all that from a guy who never went to film school!
While Meth To Madness continues to ride the waves of success, he already has a second short film, PE:EP completed; a physiological thriller set in a peep show booth, set for release in August. Watch this space.
