07 February 2014 (released)
07 February 2014
A zombie movie set entirely in a public restroom? Yes, that is the concept of British lowbudgeter 'STALLED'. But instead of wallowing in obvious toilet humour this film is one of the most surprising horror-comedies of recent years.
Fresh from it's festival success 'STALLED' is soon to be released on DVD and Blu-Ray. I caught up with the film's leading lady Antonia Bernath. She plays an office worker trapped in a stall alongside a melancholy handyman played by Dan Palmer.
You starred as Priscilla Presley in the U.S mini-series Elvis, you've had your own ITV2 show AND you're a St.Trinian! I suppose I should start off by asking how you first got involved with a film set in a ladies' toilet?!I've been in touch with Dan Palmer (writer and co-star) for a while as I think he's a really talented writer. I was going to do another of his and (director) Christian James' projects that didn't end up happening sadly. When 'Stalled' got green-lit I was excited to be involved with it instead.
I have to admit when I first heard of the concept I was expecting the worst. I was persuaded by friends, who were raving about it after Film4 Fright Fest, to attend a screening at The Prince Charles Cinema. I was absolutely won over by the originality of the production. What were your first thoughts when hearing about the project and then
reading the script?I had complete faith that Dan would have written something great before I read it, so I wasn't surprised when I read it and loved it. Perhaps there's something wrong with me, but it didn't strike me as odd that it was all set in a loo. I've just done another film, 'Powder Room', also set in a toilet, and again I was all blasé about it. Ignorance! Very clever to set it all in a loo I now realise!
Can you tell us about your character?I don't want to spoil anything as she represents a bit of a twist. Spoilt. Oops. Anyway, in brief she's someone who works in the office and I think she's very funny ..not me, her! Dry, warm and loving.
Although we only hear your character you most definitely leave your mark with an impressive vocal performance. I was reminded of the film again at a recent viewing of Spike Jonze’s ‘Her’ (in which Scarlett Johannsen is also seen but not heard). Both films had me wondering whether a performer approaches a voice-only role any differently?That's a hard question, Scarlett might be better at answering it. I tried not to over think it too much and to just imagine I was stuck in a toilet cubicle as opposed to 'doing a voice over performance.' I don't know if that's the right thing to do or not, but that's what I did!
How did Christian James handle your role specifically? Did he direct you, dare I say, on the toilet or did you provide your performance separately? If so did you work off a film print and react to the other actors’ performances?Christian, Dan and I did it all in a day at Pinewood Studios. Dan gave me a perfect rendition of his performance in an adjacent Pinewood sound booth, a little like a toilet cubicle, and Christian gave me direction. For each bit we'd do a couple of different versions and then Christian no doubt spent a while working out which worked best and told the story best. I had complete faith in Christian. He's a brilliant director and I trusted him implicitly so it was
a pretty relaxed, fun day!
Even though we never see you, both you and your co-star Dan Palmer had amazing chemistry. What is he like to work with?Dan is ridiculously lovely. We're very good friends so it was easy to work with him! It was a total pleasure in fact! I hope it happens again! I also think he's a fantastic actor as well as writer. It would be nice to see him do stuff other people have written too. I think he's going to be really successful as an actor as well as writer.
Could we be watching the birth of the new Simon Pegg or Seth Rogen?Yes, he's a genius. I've moved into casting now and so I'm seeing a lot of actors at the moment and would say Dan is exceptional.
Do you have any plans to work with him and/or Christian in the future? If so, anything you can tell us about?I've taken a step back from acting and moved into casting. I'm loving it! I'm not actively pursuing that side of things at the moment.
Well, I sincerely hope we get to see more performances from you. 'STALLED' maybe played for laughs but it does have the odd scary moment. Before I let you go, have to ask - what’s your favourite scary movie?I don't watch that much horror. If I do, I have nightmares for weeks. Scary films with kids in freak me out the most. After I watched 'The Grudge' I had to move train carriages if I found myself beside or opposite a child with long dark hair. I still struggle a bit with that so I'll say 'The Grudge' because of the lasting impact it's had!
Haha! Thank you for your time and congratulations on a cult classic in the making.Take care!
'STALLED' is released on both DVD and BLU-RAY on February 24th in the UK.
You can order today at Amazon.co.uk or pick it up at ASDA ..