One of the coolest things about TIFF is being able to see a film before, and in some cases LONG before it's released to the general public. Midnight Madness 2009 selection Solomon Kane is one of these - it's only seeing limited release in late September if IMDB is to be believed - and last years selection The Day is another.
The Day, however, is unique in that it's got the chokeslamming, powerbombing muscle of the WWE marketing machine behind it. It's being released on the 28th of August and Vince McMahon and his cadre of publicists ran a special sneak preview of the post-apocalyptic siege film with several wrestlers (don't worry, no cameos from The Big Show in this film) in attendance. Check it out!
With this in mind, don't forget to pick up your TIFF Midnight Madness passes, so when your friends are lining up like schlubs to see these films next year, you'll be able to lord over them the fact that you've seen them all already. And isn't that what friendship is all about?
TIFF Midnight Madness passes for all ten films in the 2012 schedule are SOLD OUT, but you can still pick up single tickets to films in the Midnight Madness Programme (and others) starting on Sept 1.
The Midnight Madness Red Carpet was rocking Thursday Sept. 16th when Doug Aarniokoski's post-apocalyptic film The Day had it's world premiere. I had the opportunity to speak with actors, Dominic Monaghan, Michael Eklund and Ashley Bell as well as director Douglas Aarniokoski and producer Guy Danella. Here is the video:
Thursday night's screening of The Day is actually the most star-studded of the Midnight Madness lineup this year. Here's a little rundown of the cast in this post-apocalyptic journey through a bleak, ruined landscape.
Dominic Monaghan - If you were a geek at any point in the last ten years, Monaghan's name will undoubtedly be a familiar one. Starring in two of the biggest geek properties of the last decade - JJ Abrams' LOST and Peter Jacksons' Lord of the Rings films - Monaghan has made a name for himself as one of the go-to actors when something sinister and dark is afoot. In The Day, Monaghan straps on his genre hat (yes this is a real hat) once again as the leader of a small band of survivors traversing a world without hope.
Ashley Bell - The highlight of last year's Eli Roth-produced possession tale, The Last Exorcism, Bell made a splash as the young farmer's daughter caught in the grips of a demonic spirit. Her unbelievable transformation from wallflower to venom-spitting hellion invited comparisons to Linda Blair and even her sickly-arched posture on the film's poster was enough to give most people chills.
Shannyn Sossamon - Sossamon's not widely known for her genre efforts but she does have a couple of horrors under her belt in the form of 2007's Catacombs and 2008's One Missed Call. Her skills at playing bleak characters in other fare such as The Rules of Attraction and Wristcutters: A Love Story are put to great work here in the tense, desolate landscape of The Day.
Shawn Ashmore - Richmond BC's Ashmore is no stranger to science fiction roles with several high-profile turns as Iceman/Bobby Drake in the first three X-Men movies and roles in the television series Fringe. His horror resume is quite extensive as well, with roles in Frozen, The Ruins, Hatchet 2, and Mother's Day.
This dark, futuristic journey takes the Ryerson by storm on Thursday night and it looks to be one of the most chilling films in this year's lineup. We expect at least a few members of this star-studded cast to be walking the blood-soaked red carpet that night, so don't miss it!
1) It seems to me at least that genre films have seen a remarkable shift in the past several years and the roles for women are moving from victims to strong leads and protagonists. Your recent roles seems to reflect this trend. Are you finding more scripts and roles that are more than one-dimensional characters? Do you think the opportunities for women in the film business are getting stronger?
I’ve been blessed with playing 3 dimensional characters. When Guy Danella (producer), Doug Aarniokoski (director), and Luke Passmore (writer) approached me with the script I jumped at the chance to play a badass who refuses to be a victim. I was attracted to Mary because she was both an emotionally and physically challenging character.
2) Could you tell me about your character in the film, Mary?
What interested me about Mary was that she was determined to be a survivor. I loved the fact that she has to hone all her instincts and physical abilities to live in this apocalyptic world. Even with all the horrors she has faced, she still maintains her humanity.
3) I was wondering what kind of research you did to prepare for your role in The Day? Have you ever shot a gun before?
Yes, I have been to the range on a number of occasions, and generally enjoy working with guns. My weapon of choice is a 9mm Berretta. But I’d never worked with a shotgun before, especially one that’s as tall as me. All the bruises I received from working on the film were like medals of honor. To acquire the look they wanted, I ate just enough to work out. Besides a lean vegetarian diet with some fish, I did a mix of cardio and weights twice a day, paired with ballet for flexibility. I privately worked with a stunt woman since I knew I had to do most of my own stunts.
4) The film was shot in Ottawa, and from the early stills looks to be late in the year, what difficulties did you face with the elements during production?
The first clue was when I sat down with Doug Aarniokoski and Guy Danella and they tried to talk me out of doing the film. They told me I’d have to loose weight, add muscle, learn how to shoot a shotgun, do your own stunts and survive in below freezing weather... I said sign me up! It was a challenge, but that’s what I love most about acting. There’s a moment, where I’m in a sub zero creek, in a wet dress, clutching a real shotgun, in below freezing weather with a wind chill and I thought: in what alternate universe would I ever get the chance to do this?
5) It's hard not to mention that you have worked with Midnight Madness alumni, Eli Roth, on The Last Exorcism. What did you learn about acting and film making from Eli?
Eli Roth is a master storyteller, and a genius of the horror and thriller genre. Just watching him work is a learning experience. I saw him edit a scene on The Last Exorcism and with just three tweaks he transformed a scary scene into something absolutely terrifying.
6) You have said in numerous interviews that you have wanted to work in a comedy, what's next for you? Are there any pratfalls in your future?
I want to do Bridesmaids 2! I’ve got my broken fingers crossed for a physical comedy where I play a beautiful debutant who falls in love in Paris, but not in the Seine. *ba dum ching* I recently finished a pilot called Grow, where I play drug dealer, and I’m attached to several projects that I’m sworn to secrecy about.
Douglas Aarnioski always wanted to work in the film business, taking the advice of his mother he got a job on the Universal Studios lot so, as Douglas said, "on my days off I could walk around the backlot and pass out resumes." He landed a work behind the camera and has built an insanely impressive filmography as an assistant director and a second unit director working with such film makers as Robert Rodriguez and Terry Gilliam. The Day marks his third feature as a director and his first ever film at Midnight Madness. I recently had the opportunity to ask Mr. Aarniokoski some questions.
1) The Day is your second feature as a director, however you've hadnumerous experiences as a first assistant director & 2nd Unit Director. How vast is thedifference moving from first A.D./2nd Unit to the director of a film?
It's DAY and night. As an AD you are really in charge of the nuts and bolts of the film making process and facilitating the vision of the director. My 2nd Unit directing however was a great way to get me ready for directing in the sense that you are given portions of the story and it's my job to make it fit seamlessly with the directors footage. Granted we are usually blowing up shit and filming car chases, but the story has to work within the scene or the action has no guts to it.
2) What did you connect to in this story that made you say I want to bein the director's chair on this film?
The struggles that these five characters go through within the course of one DAY. Both physically and emotionally. And it is just a wickedly fun ride--I literally read the script in 40 minutes the first time I read it, picked up the phone, called Guy Danella (producer) and said I have to make this. And we never looked back.....
3) You have worked with Robert Rodriguez on numerous films, From Dusk Till Dawn, Once Upon A Time in Mexico come to mind, what did you learn aboutdirecting from Robert?
Robert was my mentor--he was my film school. He was the one who said, "pick up the camera and go do it, you learn by doing." We would shoot all day on separate units when I was shooting his 2nd Units, and then stay up into the wee hours of the night editing. Then we'd get up and rock and roll again the next day. I learned the importance of story and how to connect with actors.
4) You were also first assistant director: second unit on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is there a memory you can share working with Terry Gilliam?
Mr. Gilliam was so collaborative with everyone on the crew. His mind works in a way like I've never seen. He pushes you to think in the most unconventional way. It's amazing to see a true artist at work....I've been able to tap into those moments when conceiving the way I approach a film project.
5) What was your experience shooting The Day in Ottawa, Canada?
Fucking Cold!!!! Did I mention it was cold? HAHA--We had a crazy schedule that was literally eat, sleep, work. The actors had to be on the set all day every day in extreme conditions and fight through it....the crew was amazing and resilient. We became like a family in order to pull off an impossible story.
6) How did the Northern surroundings lend themselves to the atmosphere ofthe story?
It was perfect--isolated, desolate, and harsh. It kicked our ass and just kept coming....but we were looking for just that. We had scouted all over the states and Canada to find the perfect setting. Ottawa provided that, in spades.
7) We have been seeing a lot of post-apocalyptic films recently whatmakesThe Day different and unique from the other films in the genre?
The setting is post-apocalyptic--but the story and the depth of these characters you'll meet are unlike any you've ever seen. The world that is created here is raw and real. It's gonna grab you by the balls and not let go.
From your first job in show business being a tour guide on UniversalStudios lot to having a world premiere at the Toronto International FilmFestival, congratulations! I look forward to meeting you.
Yeah, it's been an amazing journey. HAHA, sitting on a tram in Universal Studios and getting to talk about the history of film and how is all comes together to now being blessed to have the opportunity to tell stories and make movies--wow! It's something I will never take for granted and a path that I would not change for anything. Enjoy the festival everyone and hope to see you at The Day. Peace, Doug A
