HYENA: Actor Profiles

"I actually wouldn't have minded hearing a rap. What a let down..." 

[Updated: Sept 3, 2014]

After our director profile last week, we have to say we're even more excited to see what Gerard Johnson has in store for us with Hyena. To get you even MORE excited (if such a thing is possible), we're going to break it down with a rap. Not actually. But we will highlight a few of the actors appearing in Hyena. (Trust us, this is preferable.)

"Peter who?" 

Hyena stars acclaimed actor Peter Ferdinando. You'd be lying if you said you recognized him from Midnight Madness/Vanguard darling Ben Wheatley's A Field in England (we're still recovering from that crazy awesome trip) because Ferdinando is such a chameleon from role to role. His portrayal of a 17th century war-deserter is absolutely fantastic.

How do we even describe A Field in England? Well, there's a field. And some war-deserters. And an alchemist. And, hm, might as well watch the trailer embedded above because it all gets a little (read: a lot) stranger after that. Wheatley and Ferdinando fans can rejoice, because they'll both be together again in Wheatley's upcoming High-Rise, which also stars dreamy Tom Hiddleston. Not that we care or anything. Ahem.

If need to get your Ferdinando fix sooner, check out Starred Up in the trailer above. It's a gritty, amazingly acted prison drama. Ferdinando, again nearly unrecognizable has a smaller—yet still memorable—role as the "head-honcho" (very technical term, trust us) inmate and he doesn't take shit from anybody. 

"No, afraid I don't know of any Peter."

And, of course, we couldn't end our profile of Peter Ferdinando without mentioning the other Gerard Johnson film he starred in: Tony. Now Tony is worthy of writing a completely separate post about (stay tuned!) but we will say that again Ferdinando completely embodies his character, this time that of a rather odd serial killer. 

"Sigh, I kinda miss my old-timey hat."

A film and its star are only as good as their co-stars. Lucky for Hyena and Ferdinando, he's got an amazing supporting cast. Take Stephen Graham, for instance. He is probably most recognizable for playing the young Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire but you might also recognize him from his roles in This is England, Gangs of New York, Snatch, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. From skinhead to pirate to gangster, we're mighty impressed with Graham's body of work and ability to transform himself into pretty much anything on screen.

"I'm just a regular hit-man and this is totally just your run-of-the-mill hit-man movie. Promise." 

Ferdinando and Neil Maskell can be part of a rousing game of "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" as they not only appear in Hyena together, but they've both also starred in Ben Wheatley films. Maskell shocked and delighted Midnight Madness audiences in 2011 with his role as a hitman in Kill List, another nearly indescribable genre-bending film from Wheatley. Maskell has a role in Wheatley's upcoming High-Rise, so him and Ferdinando will be together on screen again (awwww). Maskell was also a part of The ABCs of Death, where he briefly appeared in, you guessed it, Wheatley's segment "U is for Unearthed." [Update: It was brought to our attention (uh, totally not by Gerard Johnson because wouldn't that be embarrassing) that due to an oversight we failed to mention Neil Maskell's appearance in the aforementioned Tony.  This is not just great because Maskell is great and Tony is great and Gerard Johnson is great, but also because it further perpetuates the amazing crossover love-fest going on with the cast of Hyena. Please all keep making movies together.]

"Yeah, I'd rather not talk about that vampire movie..."

We're really on a roll with these Johnson/Wheatley film crossovers because MyAnna Buring not only appears in Hyena but also stars opposite Neil Maskell in Kill List where she holds her own as his wife, struggling to wrap her head around his job as a hitman. It makes us pretty much forget about the time she was a sparkly vampire. Don't worry Downton Abbey fans, we haven't forgotten about you: Buring plays maid Edna Braithwaite, who (according to the internet because this author doesn't watch Downton Abbey, oops) is basically there to stir shit up. And also find a husband. Get it, girl. 

This film is sure to be an electrifying film, given director Johnson's considerable filmmaking talents along with the combined talents of all of these seasoned actors. Screening times can be found below—mark your calendars!

Hyena is screening as part of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival in the Vanguard Programme. Check out more Vanguard films on the official Festival website.


HYENA screening times:
Sunday, Sept 7th  6:45 PM THE BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
Tuesday, Sept 9th 9:00 PM SCOTIABANK 12
Friday, Sept 12th 12:00 PM THE BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

Acquired Vanguard Films, High Five!

So TIFF is officially over. Womp, womp, womp. Yesterday was spent in denial--either sleeping or cleaning apartments or tying up any festival loose ends. But today, Tuesday, we all have to face the harsh reality that it's really over. Colin even cleaned his fridge; what is the world coming too?!

It's always bitter sweet when the Festival comes to an end, but we're quick to get excited again at the prospect of seeing some of our favourite Festival films out there in the world. So far, four of our Vanguard films were acquired either before or during the festival. Fingers crossed we won't have to wait too long before these ones hit the big (or small, depending on their distribution deal) screen.

Jeremy Saulnier's Blue Ruin was acquired by Radius - TWC for North American distribution after its premiere at Cannes and we couldn't be more excited for the rest of everyone see this deft, tense revenge story.

Alex van Warmerdam's Borgman was also picked up after Cannes by the always awesome Drafthouse Films for U.S. distribution--a perfect fit for the disturbingly dark and hilarious film, if we do say so ourselves.

Magnolia Pictures was wise to snatch up U.S. rights to Ti West's The Sacrament--news that we're sure had Ti West fans around the world rejoicing.

And if a terrifying docu-style movie about a cult isn't enough for you, IFC Midnight acquired the North American rights to Zack Parker's Proxy--a chilling, powerful thriller centred on a pregnant woman. (Best idea ever, but maybe also the scariest: screening a double feature of The Sacrament and Proxy.)

Lastly, even though it was technically in the Wavelengths Programme, we'll always love Ben Wheatley and we were pleased as punch to hear the psychedelic mind-trip A Field In England was also picked up for US distribution by Drafthouse Films last spring.

Congratulations to all of these Vanguard films and the rest of the films that were purchased during the Festival. There are still many films we're hoping gain distribution and we're sure you feel the same. We'll keep our fingers crossed if you do too.

Colin's Candid Pictures: A FIELD IN ENGLAND Director Ben Wheatley

Director Ben Wheatley at the premiere of A Field In England at the Ryerson last night.  Photograph courtesy of Vanguard progammer, Colin Geddes.

There is one more screening of A Field In England:

Saturday, Sept 14th, 9:00 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

A FIELD IN ENGLAND: 5 Questions with Director Ben Wheatley

Well, kids, it's that time of year again. Time for our annual 5 Questions with Director Ben Wheatley, that is! Siân had a lot of fun asking Mr. Ben Wheatley questions last year about his Vangurd film Sightseers and now she's back with round two for Wheatley's Wavelengths film, A Field in England.

//

SM: Watching A Field in England, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to Barry Lyndon and Witchfinder General. Did either of those films inspire yours? What drew you to doing a period piece in the first place? 

 BW: All Kubrick is an inspiration. Witchfinder is a similar period but not really an inspiration. History drew me to the period. It's a fascinating time.

SM: Just being on set--stuck in that field--must have been a surreal experience. Were there ever times when you started to doubt you'd bring it all together?

BW: No. Not really. It was a pretty good experience. I tend to be pretty happy when I'm shooting.

SM: In the last few years black and white films have experience quite a renaissance; films like The White Ribbon, Nebraska, Frances Ha, Blancanieves, and Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing, have embraced this aesthetic. Could you share some insight on why you think filmmakers are being drawn to this?

BW: For me Black and White makes you look at faces and texture. It funnels the amount of information the viewer receives. I can't speak for other film makers.

SM: The soundscape and music in the film are stunning and pretty much a character in their own right. Although this is a period film, the music is decidedly anachronistic, but it really enhances the films' otherworldliness. Did you play a large part in this process or was it all the invention of the composer?

BW: I play a large part in the music. I worked closely with Jim Williams on this score. I'm not a musician though. We talk about the score a lot then he demos it. I get the demos as stems then I make a rough mix of what I like from the stems. The score is then created from that.

SM: So far, each of your films has been wildly different than the last and often gives the audience an unexpected experience (for example, Sightseers starts off as a quirky British road comedy and evolves in to Natural Born Killers with sweaters). Has this been a conscious decision?

BW: Making an experience is a conscious decision. Every frame of a film is deliberated on. You see the films as different from each other. I see them as too similar to each other. I'm trying not to make the same film again and again. But it's hard.

//

We here at the Vanguard Blog are some of Wheatley's biggest fans and we're confident that whatever he does next will be mind-alteringly awesome. We just hope it's out in time for the Festival next year so we can have our third annual 5 Quesetions with Ben Wheatley. In the meantime, don't forget to check out A Field in England.

A FIELD IN ENGLAND Screening Times:

• Friday, Sept 13, 9:00 PM RYERSON THEATRE
• Saturday, Sept 14, 9:00PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 3

Director Profile: A FIELD IN ENGLAND'S Ben Wheatley

Does director Ben Wheatley really need an introduction at this point? Well, maybe if you've been living under a rock for the past few years. In that case: all you really need to know if Ben Wheatley is freakin' awesome. (In fact, The Guardian listed him as one of the 23 Best Film Directors in the World.)

Okay, okay: we'll elaborate.

Wheatley's first feature film, Down Terrace (2009), is a crime drama that won awards from the British Independent Film Awards, Next Wave Awards, and Fantastic Fest. Kill List (2011) premiered at SXSW, went on to simultaneously wow and terrify Midnight Madness audiences at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival and, because of course it didn't stop there, it was nominated for six British Independent Film Awards, winning one. In 2012, Wheatley took his third feature film, the hilariously dark Sightseers, to the Directors' Fortnight section at Cannes Film Festival, went on to screen at a bajillion (maybe an exaggeration) film festivals, including the Vanguard Programme at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, and (you're probably noticing a trend here) also went on to be nominated for a bajillion (also maybe an exaggeration) of awards, winning another British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay and an Empire Award for Best British Film.

Phew. Okay, we need to take a break now. Here, enjoy this picture.

director Ben Wheatley, writer/cctor Alice Lowe, and programmer Colin Geddes
at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival

…Anddddd, we're back. Deadpan, comedic crime drama; twisty, terrifying horror; dark and hilarious road trip adventure--what could Wheatley possibly get up to next?

A psychedelic, black and white, freak-fest imagining of the English Civil War. Obviously. Now Wheatley's A Field in England is technically part of the Wavelengths Programme, but we love it so much and Wheatley IS a part of the Vanguard family, so we're blogging about it any way. Try and stop us.

A Field in England

The film picked up a Special Jury Prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and was released in the UK through various platforms this past July. After it's North American Premiere at the Festival, Drafthouse Films--in its infinite wisdom and solid understanding of kickass-ery--has secured the US rights and Films We Like will be distributing in Canada.

As if you're still on the fence about catching A Field In England at the Festival, here's a few more reasons why it's not to be missed:

"A tough film to synopsise or encapsulate, it evokes classic British horror . . . but is closer in tone to a grittier yet still metaphysical brand of arthouse mystification."

"What a unique film-maker Wheatley is becoming. From the realms of contemporary social realism, crime, comedy and fear, he has moved on to lo-fi period drama, but cleverly alighted on the one period that suits his stripped-down visuals and subversive instincts perfectly."

"What is most refreshing about the film is its utterly offbeat quality.


A FIELD IN ENGLAND Screening Times:

• Friday, Sept 13th, 9:00 PM RYERSON
• Saturday, Sept 14, 9:00 PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 3

A FIELD IN ENGLAND Behind-the-Scenes

Because we know you're just dying to hear more about director Ben Wheatley's A Field in England, we found a behind-the-scenes featurette to share with you. WHAT?! Amazeballs, right? Right.

Wheatley originally posted this on his blog, with a link to the full, treasure trove of materials on the film's website, saying he "wanted to make available the process of how you make a film" and that he hopes we find it useful.

If you head on over to the website, you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about A Field in England in a handy, dandy Masterclas--from development to costumes to acting to the score. See, EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know. It probably goes without saying that all of this information contains spoilers, but we don't want anybody whining to us about ruining the film, so we'll say it here, in caps, with bolded font for even more effect: IF YOU PARTAKE IN THE DIGITAL MASTERCLASS, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. GOT IT? GOOD. CLICK HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

For those of you who haven't seen the film yet, here's a little spoiler-free snippet from the Masterclass about A Field in England's influences:

A FIELD IN ENGLAND Screening Times:

• Friday, Sept 13th, 9:00 PM RYERSON
• Saturday, Sept 14, 9:00 PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 3

A FIELD IN ENGLAND trailer and posters

Ben Wheatley's black and white English Civil War freakout plays in the Wavelengths programme, but it could easily have fit in amongst the other Vanguard titles, so we're going to feature it here. Wheatley's a TIFF favourite, with his last two features (2012's Sightseers and 2011's Kill List) showing in the festival. Here's the trailer:

And now for the gorgeous posters. First, the official one:

Now a limited edition one designed by The Twins of Evil (Luke Insect and Kenn Goble), and included only with vinyl copies of the soundtrack (now sold out):

Finally, a fan art one designed in woodcut style by Richard Wells:

A FIELD IN ENGLAND Screening Times:

• Friday, Sept 13th, 9:00 PM RYERSON THEATRE
• Saturday, Sept 14th, 9:00 PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 3

SIGHTSEERS: Talking About The Soundtrack

A huge part of the fun in Ben Wheatley's Sightseers is its terrific soundtrack, with many songs used as commentary on the hilarity and depravity within.

If you were sentient in the 1980s or even if you weren't, chances are you've heard Soft Cell's ginormous hit "Tainted Love." What you may not know is that it's a cover of Gloria Jones's 1964 song, written by Ed Cobb, which became an underground smash in the 1970s when Northern Soul was all the rage. Miss Jones was also later romantically involved with T.Rex's Marc Bolan, and performed on several of that band's albums.

But back to Soft Cell. The version used in Sightseers is actually the EP version, which goes right into "Where Did Our Love Go?" yet another cover, this of the1964 hit by The Supremes. Soft Cell may have covered well-known radio hits, but their own creations were considerably more salacious. (See also: "Sex Dwarf.")

Wheatley cleverly opens Sightseers with the Soft Cell version and ends it with the Gloria Jones version, a bookending that makes the phrase "tainted love" funny at first and then both funny and sinister later on.

Skipping ahead, past Francoise Hardy's "Amour Toujour Tendresse Caresses" (not on YouTube), there's another tune that became popular through a cover version, in this case, Vanilla Fudge's "Season of the Witch." You may know the Donovan version from 1966, but Vanilla Fudge's 1968 cover is perhaps creepier, especially in the context of Sightseers and Tina's witchy behavior.

It gets even weirder with Neu!'s "Lieber Honig" (translating to "come to me"). Even if you've heard Mrs. Miller or The Shaggs,  you may still be distressed by this track. As one YouTube commenter notes, " I love? Neu!, but this might honestly be one of the worst vocal performances ever... lol." It's definitely . . . something.

NEU!

However, Neu! is a band that has serious diehard fans despite the fact that they were never hugely famous. You can find out more about them on their official website.

Next up is "Ah!" from Popol Vuh, another German group from the 1970s, considered one of the earliest ambient groups. When you think about the fact that Brian Eno was just making his first solo albums in 1972, the year "Ah!" was released, it kinda blows your mind.

Things take a turn for the classical and British with the stately "Nimrod" from Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations. Elgar was a British composer during the early 20th century, appointed "Master of the King's Musick" in 1924. So says Wikipedia.

There is also a performance of Henryk Wieniawski's "Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Opus 22" (that's a mouthful) with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and Marat Bisengali on violin. This version is not on YouTube, but another one, featuring Rudolf Koelman and the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra is.

Not one to stay too serious for too long, Wheatley ends the movie proper with Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "The Power Of Love" which is absolutely ridiculous in the scene in which it appears in Sightseers. To quote Tina Turner, "what's LOVE got to do with it?"

Anyway, if you only know of Frankie Goes To Hollywood from those FRANKIE SAY RELAX T-shirts from the '80s or "Relax" from the Body Double soundtrack (and every radio station and club for much of the 1980s), you're really missing out

They were such a great band, and real pioneers in British pop music and particularly in gay culture (as were Soft Cell, actually). As a bit of an extra treat, you should definitely check out their cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run."

If you want to hear all this great music, you're in luck! There's one more screening of Sightseers on Sunday!

Sun., Sept. 16th, BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA 7:00PM

SIGHTSEERS: Review

Gorgeous cinematography, ghastly characters, and an incredibly cute dog. These are the three main things I took away from Sightseers. These things, and also this: Ben Wheatley is one twisted dude.

If we're talking twisted, I must also include Steve Oram and Alice Lowe, who portray Chris and Tina in Sightseers. The pair had already created these characters for live comedy shows and along with writer Amy Jump and Wheatley himself, have now brought them to film fruition. Unlike Dr. Frankenstein's creation, however, Chris and Tina are not misunderstood. They truly are despicable people. It's okay to think they're monstrous.

It's a big gamble to make the protagonist a bad person; it's an even bigger one to have two bad people. In truth, no one is very likeable in Sightseers, except for the dog. It results in a lot of howling laughter; some of it feels justified, while some of it will make you feel terribly ashamed. These conflicting feelings can take place one after another, layered repeatedly throughout the entire movie.

With no overarching conflict to resolve, Sightseers becomes even more dependent upon its characters. You may think you have them figured out in the beginning, certain of who you'll be rooting for and against, until the movie pulls the rug out from under you, watches mutely while you crack your skull on the floor, and then snickers.

As a contest of "who is the least repugnant?" it seems that Tina is the clear "winner," but she's no anti-hero like Taxi Driver's Travis Bickle or Alex from A Clockwork Orange, dysfunctional figures that elicit sympathy due to the terrible circumstances of their lives. Even with a manipulative harridan of a mother, Tina becomes more difficult to root for than Monster's Aileen Wuornos, and not just because Wuornos was a real person.

In this way, Sightseers is more brutal and cynical than your average horror movie because there is no point to the bad behavior. There's no message of hope or triumph of the human spirit, even though Tina is the Final Girl. Though she does undergo a change from the beginning of the movie to the end, it's not one that induces a wave of relief, only the grim realization that she's just become more awful.

Do not misunderstand: Sightseers is a ridiculously funny, can't-breathe-from-laughing so hard movie. Remembering the oversized pencil, the knitted crotchless panties, the line about Daily Mail readers, and the misuse of the word "muse" will make you laugh during the movie, and later. I think ultimately, however, the movie will have the last laugh, at our expense.

SIGHSTSEERS Screening Times:
Sun., Sept. 16th, BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA 7:00PM

SIGHTSEERS: Twitter Round Up

If you knew what was good for you, you were at the Sightseers premiere the other night. And if you really, really knew what was good for you, you were at the second screening today. Because what is good for you is the watching the movie Sightseers. Well, that and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Also brushing your teeth. Yeah, that's good for you too. But, but! Way more important than something like "eating healthy" (pssh) is making sure you saw Sightseers. The packed house at the Ryerson premiere knew they were in for a treat when director Ben Wheatley introduced the film by saying there was a lot of f*cking in it. And dogs and vistas. You know--all the things that make a good film.

To those of you who apparently don't know what is good for you, you're in luck too because there is one more screenings of Sightseers during the festival. This is the best news since we found out that Yorkshire has the good kind of pasta sauce. See you at the last screening, Vanguarders.


SIGHTSEERS Screening Times:
Sun., Sept. 16th, 7:00 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

Sightseers was an excellent little film that really shows off Ben Wheatley's amazing style, really loved it #tiff
— Charlotte Stear (@Kidsbecool) September 12, 2012

SIGHTSEERS (Wheatley, 2012) **** Uproarious & gory "evil Thelma & Louise" TIFF's most downright fun comedy in years. #TIFFvanguard #TIFF12
— Corey Caplan (@CoreyCaplan) September 12, 2012

Yes! SIGHTSEERS is equally as hilarious as KILL LIST is gonzo and every bit as violent. Funniest movie I've seen at #TIFF & a definite fave.
— Ryland Aldrich (@RylandAldrich) September 12, 2012

Looking forward to Sightseers AGAIN tonight. One of the best films I've seen this year.
— Phelim O'Neill (@Phelimo) September 13, 2012

SIGHTSEERS - Pitch-black comedy dripping with crimson red. Wickedly funny. Ryerson crowd loved it. #TIFF12
— Ben Gordon (@itsbengordon) September 12, 2012

SIGHTSEERS: utterly dark & brilliant; somebody take me to the pencil museum! "Check to see if he has any sandwiches." #TIFF12 #TIFFVanguard
— Siân Elizabeth-Anne (@sharnacious) September 12, 2012

Sightseers: "This is the worst movie ever made" - 75 year old woman next to me 4.5/5 #TIFF12
— Corey Pierce (@coreypierceart) September 12, 2012

SIGHTSEERS Premieres Tonight!

Ben Wheatley's Sightseers premieres tonight at the Ryerson Theatre at 9:00 PM. Head over to our previous post to see the film's trailer and poster.

Tickets can be purchased:

• ONLINE: TIFF.net/thefestival
• BY PHONE: 416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433 (Toll-free) 
• IN PERSON
• Festival Box Office; 225 King St. West
• Ryerson Theatre Box Office; 350 Victoria Street

Further information about Ben Wheatley's Sightseers can be found on the Festival website, as well as on the Sightseers website, Twitter account, Facebook page, and IMDB page.

SIGHTSEERS screening times:

• Tues., Sept. 11, Ryerson Theatre 9:00 PM 
• Thurs., Sept. 13, Ryerson Theatre 12:00 PM 
• Sun., Sept. 16, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema 7:00 PM

SIGHTSEERS: Writer/Actor Profiles: Alice Lowe & Steve Oram

Hilarious, dark movies about dog-loving murderous couples caravanning around the English countryside don't just pop out of thin air. So lucky for us there are people like Alice Lowe and Steve Oram, the writers/actors responsible for the story and original characters of Tina and Chris from the upcoming Vanguard film, Sightseers. Lowe and Oram originated the characters and perfected them before teaming up with Ben Wheatley and his collaborator, Amy Jump, who helped to refine the script. 

Alice Lowe is no stranger to comedy, already having won our hearts as Madeleine Wool as Dr Liz Asher in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. She aced all of her classes at Harvard-College-Yale, can sometimes talk to cats, and is on top of the chicken situation. Sanchez might want her, but we want her more. Lowe has also appeared on episodes of Horrible Histories, Little Britain, The IT Crowd, and The MIghty Boosh. 

Steve Oram appeared in the feature film It's All Gone Pete Tong and was a regular on Tittybangbang. He also wrote and starred in "Matthew & Tone: Tales Of Friendship and Innocence", which screened during BBC's Comedy Lab. And, for reasons we aren't entirely sure of (but the Canadian in us is super thrilled, because Canadian tuxedo), Steve Oram really loves denim. Denim, denim, denim. Denim.

See both of these hilarious (and possibly denim clad, but we can't make any promises) comedians in Sightseers, screening times below:

SIGHTSEERS Screening Times:

Tue., Sept. 11th, 9:00 PM RYERSON

Thurs., Sept. 13th, 12:00 PM RYERSON

Sun., Sept. 16th, 7:00 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

SIGHTSEERS: 5 Question Director Interview with Ben Wheatley

The Vanguard Blog had a chance to ask Ben Wheatly, director extraordinaire of Sightseers, some questions. Five to be exact. As the title of this blog would suggest. Check them out below and don't forget to add Sightseers to your list of "Must See" films at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.

1.) Sightseers is a comedy, as you are probably well aware (hopefully)--albeit a black one. How do you feel having a film that will be judged primarily based on how "funny" people find it? I imagine sitting in on screenings would be nerve-wracking: "Will they laugh at this?"; "Why aren't they laughing now?"; "Why ARE they laughing now?" 

All screenings are nerve-wracking initially. You always know that the film is made or broken by a handful of gags, if they don't play then the smaller ones won't play either. Once you have the main 'tent pole' gags working then the other laughs are a bonus, and can be very different from audience to audience, you can't worry about this.

2.) The screenplay was developed by your two main actors, Alice Lowe and Steve Oram. Would you mind explaining a little more about how the story came about and how you became involved? 

The characters had come from Alice and Steve creating them for stand up. Later they made a short film based around them and that was seen by Edgar Wright and he took the project to Big Talk and Nira Park. Nira and I had a chat after I directed Down Terrace and asked if I'd like to direct the feature film version of Sightseers. I had worked with Alice and Steve before and liked the idea of doing something a bit lighter after Kill List. Amy Jump rewrote the script and away we went. Producers Andy Starke and Claire Jones came in from Rook Films and we used pretty much the crew from Down Terrace/Kill List. 

3.) If you were going to go on a caravan holiday, where would you go and would you bring anyone along? Also, would you participate in a killing spree whilst on holiday? (I promise I won't tell on you.)

I would probably travel on the route that Chris and Tina took because it was beautiful. I suppose I could use the Catherine Tramell defence if I went on a killing spree in a caravan.

4.) Sightseers is the first feature you didn't also write. How was it working with someone else's material?

It was fine. It was about things I'm interested with and fitted with the other two films. Also I've directed a lot of TV and adverts from other peoples' scripts, so its not new territory for me.

5.) I promised I wouldn't ask about whether or not you are a pirate, so instead I'll end with: what's next, Mr Ben Wheatley? Another film? World domination via Mechanical Death Spiders? Inquiring minds want to know. (I've always wanted to say that.)

I am not a pirate. I wore a pirate hat once and there is a photo of it.* I have a couple of projects in the pipeline. A film about monsters and cops called Freakshift and a film about the English civil war called A Field in England.

(Questions thought up by Siân Melton; answers provided by Ben Wheatley)

*That is a very pirate-y answer, hmmm. 

SIGHTSEERS Screening Times:
Tue., Sept. 11th, 9:00 PM RYERSON
Thurs., Sept. 13th, 12:00 PM RYERSON
Sun., Sept. 16th, 7:00 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

Director Ben Wheatley: Viral, Commercial, TV Works

When we mentioned in a previous post that Mr Ben Wheatley has won at both the Internet and TV, we simply made the statement and moved on. Oh-ho, but wait! What about proof? Proof? Yes, proof. Has that word now lost all meaning to you from saying it too many times as well? Proof. 

Anyway, we here at the Vanguard Blog love our loyal minons--er, readers--and want them to be happy. That is why we scoured the Internet for all of Wheatley's prior works. And it was not an easy task, let us tell you. You know how people say that once something is on the Internet, it is there forever? Well, they're wrong. We were rooster-blocked from viewing a lot of his early viral work. Ugh, right? Never fear: we still managed to curate this super rad playlist of Wheatley's hilarious viral, commercial, TV, and wizard work:

This viral video not only won awards, but teachers children a valuable lesson: if you play video games, you will die. (AMBX viral advert)

The Mechanical Death Spider comes in four colours, so it really is the gift for everyone in the family. (Ratchet and Crank fake advert)

Yeah. Less salt. (Pot Noodles commercial)

The entire Cardboard Robot Foundry of America (CRFA) resents the implication that they don't have friends. (Phones 4 U commercial)

There was a time when yo-yoing (is that right?) was popular. We are glad it is no longer that time. (Phones 4 U commercial)

Ugh, not again Anna Hensen. (Dustin commercial)

Finally a game we can get behind. (Shooting Stars advert)

Quick, pass the carbonated dipping jam. (Shooting Stars advert) 

Nobody liked Sophie anyway. (The Wrong Door - a BBC sketch comedy series written and directed by Ben Wheatley)

We take it back: Ikea isn't that bad after all. (The Wrong Door - a BBC sketch comedy series written and directed by Ben Wheatley)

Mmm, pie. (Modern Toss - a BBC series with live action segments directed by Ben Wheatley)

And, lastly, the jury is still out on whether or not Wheatley is a pirate, but it appears he is definitely a wizard. 

You can find even more hilariousness on Ben Wheatley's website. And if you go back far enough, there are even comics. They can't be posted here because of bad words and such, so you know you totally want to go find them. 

And don't forget you totally want to go see Wheatley's latest feature, Sightseers, screening at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. We'll see you there--don't forget the carbonated dipping jam!


SIGHTSEERS Screening Times:
Tue., Sept. 11th, 9:00 PM RYERSON
Thurs., Sept. 13th, 12:00 PM RYERSON
Sun., Sept. 16th, 7:00 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

SIGHTSEERS Poster and Trailer

Following up on the 2011 Midnight Madness favourite Kill List, director Ben Wheatley takes the sad-sack lovers of his new film -- Sightseers -- on a homicidal holiday. Yes, Tina and Chris' caravan vacation gets more than a little bloody. The Hollywood Reporter declares Sightseers as "the most consistently hilarious Brit-com for a good half-decade -- probably since Edgar Wright's Hot Fuzz," who also serves as Executive Producer on Wheatley's film.

Below are the poster and trailer for Sightseers, which plays the Toronto International Film Festival within the Vanguard programme.

Further information about Ben Wheatley's Sightseers can be found on the Festival website, as well as on the Sightseers website, Twitter account, Facebook page, and IMDB page.

SIGHTSEERS screening times:

• Tues., Sept. 11, Ryerson Theatre 9:00 PM 
• Thurs., Sept. 13, Ryerson Theatre 12:00 PM 
• Sun., Sept. 16, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema 7:00 PM

First Clip from SIGHTSEERS

First clip from Ben Wheatley's Sightseers via Wheatley and Amy Jump's blog, Mr. And Mrs. Wheatley.


SIGHTSEERS Screening Times:
Tue., Sept. 11th, 9:00 PM RYERSON
Thurs., Sept. 13th, 12:00 PM RYERSON
Sun., Sept. 16th, 7:00 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

Director Profile: Ben Wheatley (KILL LIST)

If you type "Ben Wheatley" into the Google search engine, you might end up thinking he is a pirate. But more importantly than maybe being a pirate, he definitely is a filmmaker. And a good one at that.

Wheatley started off his career by winning at the Internet. Unless you're a cat or coming home from the dentist, winning at the Internet is not easily accomplished, but Wheatley managed to create a name for himself with viral videos (most of which can still be found on his website). After winning at the Internet, Wheatley moved on to winning at TV, working with the likes of the BBC and Modern Toss.

In 2009, Wheatley directed his first feature film, Down Terrace. Co-written with and starring Robin Hill, the dry and hilarious crime film went on to win the Raindance Award at the 2009 British Independent Film Awards and the Next Waves Awards for Best Feature. Did we mention it was also shot in just eight days? Yeah: wow.

If you're part of the Festival's Midnight Madness club (note: must provide own beach ball), you're no stranger to Wheatley's second feature film, Kill List. Dark and unforgivingly terrifying, Kill List was a hit at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. And everywhere else it screened, for that matter. Co-written with his wife and collaborator, Amy Jump, the film has been lauded as "the best British genre film in years". Also, it will totally give you nightmares.

This year, the Toronto International Film Festival is welcoming Wheatley back with his third feature film, Sightseers. Another black comedy, Sightseers follows a drab couple, Chris and Tina, on a lovely caravanning holiday. How sweet, right? Wrong. The holiday takes a turn for the worse. And while "turn for the worst" on a holiday usually just means shouting about whether or not you should have taken that left back there, this is the sort of "turn for the worst" that involves a lot of bloodshed. And given the unpredictable twists of Kill List, we can't wait to see what happens on a holiday when Ben Wheatley is directing it.

SIGHTSEERS Screening Times:
Tue., Sept. 11th, 9:00 PM RYERSON
Thurs., Sept. 13th, 12:00 PM RYERSON
Sun., Sept. 16th, 7:00 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA