Friday night was Day 3 of the NYCHFF - and on this great night - among other things - I was able to sit down and chat with Kevin Shulman and have a discussion about his latest horror short film, and entry into competition, Eyes of Samir. Eyes of Samir was a gritty, offensive and horrific piece of film that centered on a western reporter waiting for her execution by beheading. This film did not hold back - in a city where this topic is especially sensitive - and came across well balanced enough so as not to seem exploitative, yet at the same time delivered a very gruesome blow to the deep pit of your stomach. The beheading was shown in graphic detail and the twist was dead-on horror film. It also starred Tony Todd, who had appeared in Kevin's entry to last year's NYCHFF - I.O.U. (review). Tony was also appearing in the full length feature - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde which was outstanding (we will be covering both this and Eyes of Samir in closer detail in the days to come).
After the screening, I went upstairs to the balcony and sort of stumbled onto the best experience I had the entire festival. I sat in a small triangle with legendary actor Tony Todd and director Kevin Shulman and had a very casual open discussion about the film, the festival, and the life in the city. We had a kick ass time just shouting over drinks and shootin the shit. Here's how it all went down... I started with a one-on-one conversation with the director of Eyes of Samir, while Tony made his way slowly up the stairs amongst the crowd.
John Marrone: Everyone here is having an awesome time... Kevin - share a bit with the readers what you find so unique and enjoyable about this festival in particular...
Kevin Shulman: Well - not to name names, but, I do appreciate any venue that treats the filmmaker like the "brother". It something thats rare. I like venues that keep it about the genre. They dont incorporate any anime - they don't incorporate any booths selling autographs - that sort of shit. This is about the films and the filmmaker.
John Marrone: I haven't been around maybe as much as you have - but what touches me about the NYCHFF is that its just so fucking accessable to the common fan. I mean, if I weren't a writer, I'd be here just the same. And - I mean - I walked in and Tony Todd is sittin there at the bar. He shakes my hand - he's fuckin nice - he's like, "Hey - are you coming in to see the film?" And he don't know me from the other 150 holes in the wall. So - as a fan - that's priceless.
Kevin Shulman: Tony's one in a million. That was why - when everyone says to me, "How did you muster up the balls to go stand in a line and ask for him to do your first film?" I worked with him on something else on a much lower level. I was a second unit director on House of Grimm. I knew from meeting Tony that he was the kind of man that was going to be responsive, and understand the situation, and really give me, uh - he'd hear me out. So it didnt seem like that big of a risk.
John Marrone: He's very approachable.
Kevin Shulman: That and I told Sid Haig to go fuck off! He was making fun of me up there... And he liked that.
John Marrone: Oh - so what - you ran into Sid Haig and he had this fuckin attiutude with you?
Kevin Shulman: Yeah - no... I got up to the front and he was signing autographs right next to him. And Sid says, "Hey kid - why dont you just beat it!" So I said, "Nobodys talkin to you fucker!" And thats when Tony was like - "Ohhh shit!" And thats how we hit it off...
John Marrone: Hey man - you want me to leave that out?
Kevin Shulman: Fuck it. Put it in.
John Marrone: Awesome. Hey I remember back when I first met you last year, and you were presenting I.O.U.. We talked about Eyes of Samir and you had mentioned that maybe you were going to aim for a feature with this? What made you decide to go the short route?
Kevin Shulman: To be completely honest, I lost momentum. I lost momentum and I had to start over. I had taken the financing that I had secured for an I.O.U. feature - and it wasn't enough so I said fuck it - lets start over. Lets do something a little racier - a little cuttier - a little more controversial - and lets try to make a small feature film but start first with a real sick ass short. And then incorporate those scenes into the actual feature. So if this takes off - Ive already shot a quarter of it. But to be honest with you, at this point - this film has already served its purpose - to like no end. Ever since I started shootin in with the internet - I mean - the casting of this thing was ridiculous because you have to be forthcoming about what the film is about - for the actors on the internet. Actors were getting wind of it, calling me a fucking asshole...
John Marrone: Thats a sensitive subject.
Kevin Shulman: Its a very sensitive subject. I dont look at it as an exploitive piece. I dont look at the terrorists, or the muslims, in a derrogatory light. It paints ALL parties involved in this film as just as faulty as the other ones. There's this overwhleming social commentary throughout the film, obviously - that the media is perpetuating the war and theyre the ones turning the dials. And I think thats what steers the film away from simply just being an exploitive piece, you know? Im happy that the film has already served its purpose. What we were looking to do was do a feature of it. But now it looks like Ive got meetings coming up. Ive got an offer on the table - and Ive got, for the first time in the last four years - I have a life inside the directing world, and Im really really happy about that. Its thanks pretty much to Jeff Goldberg - who through IOU and Tony Todd saw me, picked me up, and steered me in the right direction. I just produced my first feature film with Bill Pullman and Taryn Manning called Your Name Here. Its an homage to the Philip K. Dick uh, kind of, biography, and its a really, really wacky piece. I know theyre in negotiations right now with New Line...
John Marrone: Philip K. Dick - thats science fiction - are you a scifi fan?
Kevin Shulman: Not per say. Im more of an entirely horror guy. When I saw the opportunity to bring a great script to the screen, and I knew that I was the only person that could do it with that amount of money - because the budget was very, very limited.
John Marrone: Thats the key to successful filmmaking - working within the means of your budget.
Kevin Shulman: We essentially robbed, cheated, and stole this film. I mean - this film had a life because of passion - and that was great. But - to zero back in on Eyes of Samir. I was posting the film across the way from Mark Jones - from Leprechaun, Rumpelstiltskin - and we're in talks right now to possibly have me do the next Leprechaun film. Which is an honor - to be able to step in and do a piece of a franchise - but... Im gonna wait it out though. Ive got a couple of other things that are planning out, and... I think I'll probably have that to fall back on.
---Tony Todd comes up the stairs emptyhanded and looks at Kevin and me drinking and gives a look like, "Where the hells my drink?" I ask Kevin if he wants to take a break for a second. Kevin shakes his head as someone grabs Tony's attention and we continue---
John Marrone: Ive seen the beheading videos of Nicholas Berg and the like - God rest all their souls - there's something about the whole act of beheading someone with a knife that just gets to me worse than anything else. So I can understand the angle from which youre coming from to disturb the audience. Ive watched the news and seem some of the comments made form overseas, about the American being the "White Devil". The ridiculous fucking notion that Americans are the forces of Satan. There's a point in the film where the executed reporter, while having her head severed off, turns demonic and into "a white devil" or "American Satan". Are those comments the source from which that idea comes from?
Kevin Shulman: The back story to what Sarah [the reporter facing execution] is - Sarah is a Djinn. Djinns are the muslim versions of demons. Essentially they kidnap the wrong fuckin journalist. But yeah - that was the idea. You can see in the beheading scene - the translation is "Forces of Satan - retreat!" - it brings a literal connotation to whats taking place.
John Marrone: So yeah - I wont blow smoke up your ass but Eyes of Samir was kickass - sensitive material, insane gore - it honestly bothered me.
Kevin Shulman: Thank you. Of all the people, though, that I wanted to like it, was you. I didn't want to disappoint you.
John Marrone: No - thats cool, man. I appreciate that you respect my point of view.
Kevin Shulman: Well - you know, it all goes back to our first conversation here at the festival last year and our mutual appreciation of -
John Marrone: John Carpenter! Right! Right over there by the bar, I remember. (Which is something in itself because Im a pretty burnt dude and dont remember much of anything)
Kevin Shulman: Yeah - maybe he'll stop smoking cigarettes - stop playing video games - and make another film.
John Marrone: Yeah. I loved Cigarette Burns, man.
Kevin Shulman: Yeah I liked Cigarette Burns too but its time - he's got enough properties optioned now. Do one!
--Tony Todd is sitting opposite just kind of staring at us blankly, and Kevin notices---
Kevin Shulman: All right, so... Im gonna go grab you [Tony] a drink...
--Tony holds his up---
Kevin Shulman: Oh - you got one.
Tony Todd: Shit - man. I wasn't gonna wait for you!
Kevin Shulman: You guys wanna speak for a bit?
John Marrone: You know what Tony - I got so much I wanna ask you, I cant get it all in order off the top of my head.
Tony Todd: You wanna ask me a question?
John Marrone: Yeah - but shit - how about I just get in touch with you and we'll do a bigger piece.
Tony Todd: You got my info? I dont have a card...
John Marrone: If its OK Ill get it from Kevin later - you guys just have fun tonight, shit.
Tony Todd: Where are you from?
John Marrone: House of Horrors.
Kevin Shulman: Yeah - he's the guy - they gave IOU a fantastic rating. Fantastic review.
Tony Todd: Yeah - anytime, John. Anytime.
John Marrone: Great! ---I raise my glass in his direction--- Cheers man. Much respect - great fuckin work.
Tony Todd: Thanks man.
John Marrone: I thought you were from New York?
Tony Todd: I am. I used to bartend on 43rd and 9th. Back in my strugglin, strugglin, strugglin days!
John Marrone: Shit Im still strugglin worse than that still! (we all laugh)
Tony Todd: Ha - well - me too. Its not like, you know.... You see what happened to Snipes?
John Marrone: No - what happened.
Kevin Shulman: Theyre up his ass for 6 million, or something like that - tax evasion.
John Marrone: Sounds like a head hunt...
Kevin Shulman: Yeah - and you know he's not gonna be in the general population.
Tony Todd: And you know - mother fucker's prison time isnt gonna be easy. Everybodys gonna be walkin up to him goin, "Hey, New Jack! New Jack!!"
(laughs)
Kevin Shulman: The other thing I wanna add - Ive said this before - and Id just like to make it very clear...
Tony Todd: There you go - running your mouth again!
Kevin Shulman: ...This is the premiere horror film festival in the country. This is the final word. Its about the filmmaker. And theres really only a few festivals in the country that matter. Screamfest is one of them. But the NYCHFF is the premiere horror film festival in the US.
John Marrone: There's no gimmicks.
Kevin Shulman: Exactly - there's no booths. We're not in Universal Studios. We're not doin the fuckin.... Michael Hein and Anthony Pepe - I know they know what they've created but I dont think they realize actually how big this thing is going to be. This is the one. Now, Europe - thats a different story. We did Dead By Dawn - with IOU - in Scotland.
John Marrone: Thats right. I remember you mentioning, Tony and you flew there. How'd IOU get recieved over there?
Kevin Shulman: We did all right...
Tony Todd: Did he tell you that he almost got his ass kicked?
John Marrone: Did he? What was he runnin his mouth?
Kevin Shulman: That is pure speculation.
Tony Todd: You edited that shit out.
Kevin Shulman: Of what? Of that conversation?
Tony Todd: Youre a punk! He's a punk.
Kevin Shulman: I am a punk.
Tony Todd: He's gonna get his ass kicked again.
John Marrone: --Referring to Kevin's mohawk-- You know what - hey Kevin - if youre gonna do that shit you gotta shave it down to the skin on the sides....
Tony Todd: Yeah, you know man? Its the little things...
Kevin Shulman: I did. I had one. Its growin in.
Tony Todd: You HAD one? Now you look like Fluffy the Squirrel.
Kevin Shulman: Im sorry we all can't be fuckin Pepe LePue with the beret.
Tony Todd: ...Im gonna give you a pass. Im gonna let you get away with that one, but dont think Ill forget... I love kicking directors asses.
John Marrone: Do you?
Tony Todd: I really do.
---The hardyharhars settle down for a couple of seconds and I get my last questions in, as the music and roar of the crowd is making it difficult for us to hear each other---
John Marrone: Tony - I do have a quick question. Im a big fan of the horror shorts - and it seems there are very few big name actors or actresses that get involved in this scene. Last year you were in IOU - this year you were in Eyes of Samir - both by Shulman. Can you share a bit why you gravitate towards a filmmaker like Kevin?
Tony Todd: What am I supposed to do - wait for Snakes on a Plane? (laughs) No - as you know - Kevin wrote and directed both shorts - IOU and Eyes of Samir. We met on the set of a movie called House of Grim. And no Kevin - Im not gonna call you a PA - you werent a PA - but anyway, he had the hutzpa - and I read his script and I liked his vision. So - I like taking chances with new filmmakers, soon to make their dynamic mark in the film world. And I think - I like doing independents, so... All kinds. Not just horror. I just love working. So it was an easy gamble. And let me say just one thing - all you filmmakers out there - just keep doing your thing. Tell the stories - write the scripts - keep your eyes open. Theres some amazing stuff out there. I was really impressed by the work I saw tonight.
Kevin Shulman: Yeah - I think Tony is at the point in his career where he's looking not to rely so much on lasting relationships he's had with previous directors, and he realizes he's been working long enough in the game to have a side career that 99.9% of the world has never even fathomed. You know? I mean how fuckin lucky am I to be working with a great actor in Hollywood. Its something that everybody dreams about. But you cant rest there. You cant rest on - you have to continue to build new relationships - continue to really take chances - and I think I embody, hopefully, one of those chances.
John Marrone: No - Kevin - what I liked about Eyes of Samir as opposed to most of these shorts that have been shown - personally - was that it was shot in a way that was really gritty. It brought things down to like a street level.
Kevin Shulman: The editor of the film is Tanner Stauss. Im privledged to have such an awesome circle in the film community - and he's an editor that I plan to work with from here on in. On everything. He cut IOU. I mean - that just goes to show you his range. Theyre two totally different looking films. Im very proud to be here in New York City for the premiere - and Im very proud to be part of this festival.
---Kevin at some point becomes distracted by fans and picture takers so I raise my glass to Tony, who's sitting opposite me, and cheers once again---
John Marrone: I think you got a good keen eye on whats coming up - Kevin's work really stands out.
Tony Todd: Yeah, I hope he appreicates it. I really do... No. Kevin's a good guy... (Tony is looking around at the crowd which is settling down a bit, but only slightly...) Look at this place - whats going on - its already thinned out.
John Marrone: Yeah - it'll crank back up definitely. You never really know. Sometimes - no matter whats going on - it just depends on that randomness of who has a 20 dollar bill in their pocket...
Tony Todd: Yeah - but this is New York City - you drop a 20 dollar bill on a little Metro card!
John Marrone: Tony - I pay 1800 in rent and make somewhere around 2200 a month. Figure that out - I have to work miracles every month. Im broker in this city than anywhere - I had to smuggle rum in! You probably remember what thats like...
Tony Todd: No - I do. I do. I hear you. Like freakin Long Island...
John Marrone: Im from Long Island. Thats the only bad part about the island - its too much about finances. The dating scene for me is about non-existent. Its a shame - it doesnt matter if youre a good guy or not - do you have dollars?
Tony Todd: You know - before I did my first film - I used to just walk in New York City. All through the village... And those were great days.
John Marrone: Candyman days?
Tony Todd: No - before that. I was doin a lot of theater, right? Nobody knew me. Can't do that now. Subway stations... Forget about it. But yeah - the money situation? The rents too high. Gotta go to Connecticut or upstate New York and just take the Metro in for an hour and a half and youre good to go.
John Marrone: I dont know - still too pricey for me. Ive lived 6 of my last 10 years out in Ohio - got my Mortuary Science degree - but goddamn I missed New York City and I can't really put it into words why. Do you have any plans to come back to the city?
Tony Todd: Oh yeah! My second son - he's 17. One more year. He's gonna go to school in Boston - after that Im back to the city. I love this city. Love it. You ever been to Vinnie's on the upper west side? One of my favorite pizza joints.
John Marrone: Which one there's like 100 Vinnie's.
Tony Todd: Right I forgot. Its on 73rd and Amsterdam. I know a lotta people are always like this about their pizza - but thats is one of the best pieces of pizza Ive ever tasted.
John Marrone: How long have you been gone?
Tony Todd: Ive been living out in LA for too long. About 7 years. I mean - if I had to choose between Ohio and LA - Id choose LA. But - its too phony.
John Marrone: Yeah - and everyone knows it. You're either in la-la land, or you like stress and reality.
Tony Todd: Even the la-la part, living out in Beverly Hills - its not all its cut out to be. Got a beautiful house up there - go downstairs - there's a huge freakin rat in my grill. A rat.
John Marrone: Shoulda just fired that baby up!
Tony Todd: No shit! I go to get my brother - come back - five minutes later, that fucker is still in my grill! Its the little things, man! So - it aint all that. Where I grew up we didnt have rats in the grill.
John Marrone: There's so much hype involved with money places - where you live. Like The Hamptons. You ever make it out there? They are "out of touch".
Tony Todd: Thats all about people wanting to be fuckin posey, man. Posers. What I love about New York City is that there's a little bit of everything - like the dive bars. It builds character. Cause Im a writer, too, right? It just speaks real character.
John Marrone: Right. I mean you can sit on the train. Have a white guy, a black guy, a chinese dude - you know - a muslim, a catholic, and a satanist - and theyre all talkin the Yankees. Nobodys really caught up in that "shit". Thats whats beautiful about this city. I mean, even with all the muslim, east west crap going on - you can still bring a film like Eyes of Samir to this city, and youre not going to get a hwole bunch of pissy people going, "How can you portray Muslims in that light!" "How can you try to sensationalize a horrific event like that?" Its just a great example of how things can be - regardless of political, cultural, or religious differences.
Tony Todd: It truly is the melting pot.
John Marrone: Is it like that out in LA?
Tony Todd: No. No. People sit in their cars. They dont intergrate like out here. No - you know what? I just hop in the car - get the shit I need - go home - play my Xbox...
John Marrone: Xbox! Awesome - what games to you like on the Xbox?
Tony Todd: Table Tennis right now. Diggin Table Tennis right now.
John Marrone: You do Halo?
Tony Todd: No. Too overhyped for me. I like the sports. Im playing NBA2K, Table Tennis - shit like that.
John Marrone: Its been great talkin with you Tony.
Tony Todd: My brotha...
John Marrone: I hope I dont sound like Im kissin ass - Im not a kiss ass kinda guy...
Tony Todd: I can tell youre not. I know...
John Marrone: I loved Candyman - Minotaur...
Tony Todd: You saw Minotaur?
John Marrone: Hell yeah.
Tony Todd: Where - they have that here last year?
John Marrone: Caught it on SciFi. No - just big fan of the roles you play. Always givin a good, red eyed, stress teary performance - like even in that X-Files episode where you never slept - Shadow, IOU...
Tony Todd: I didnt have a teary eye in Shadow.
John Marrone: Yes you did.
Tony Todd: No I did not.
John Marrone: Yes you did man, when you were laying on the fuckin execution table, when they were gonna kill you...
Tony Todd: Well... Wouldn't YOU!?
Friday night was a lot of fun. We all continued to sit there and drink, and the party didn't thin out - it got extremely packed. Pretty soon a very tall familiar man was walking up the stairs and sat down with us. It was none other than Ken Foree from 1978's Dawn of the Dead. Ken was extremely friendly as well - and didn't have an attitude at all. Probably sick to death of hearing fans tell him how much they loved him in Dawn of the Dead, he was still very gracious and polite when I gave him my kudos. So that was Friday late night at the NYCHFF 2006. Unfortunately, I missed the premiere of Tobe Hoopers' Masters of Horror entry - The Damned Thing (review) - and his appearance for the live Q & A - but how could I pass an opportunity to sit there with one of my favorite up and coming horror directors, his girlfriend (who was as sweet as she was beautiful), Ken Foree, and my favorite horror actor of all time, Tony Todd. I hope you enjoyed the candid interview. I hope to be in touch with Tony in the very near future - and get back to you all with a kick ass in-depth interview. Thanks again to Michael Hein and Anthony Pepe just for bringing the New York City Horror Film Festival to life, and the House of Horrors Caretaker for having me attend, and giving a fan like me the opportunity to meet one of my only idols in the business.
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