Film Name: The Haunting of the Lady-Jane
Director: Kemal Yildirim
Writer: Kemal Yildirim
Starring: Natasha Linton, Bryony Harvey, Sean Botha Helene Udy, Rosalind Stockwell
Cruising the English canals, troubled Lily and Zara hear about a water spirit which collects sinful souls. The peaceful waterways of the English countryside are plagued by legends of ‘RÀN’; a water spirit who collects the bodies of sinful people along the river. After a disturbing incident left Lily emotionally scarred and estranged from her parents, she decides to begin her life again. Now a socially aware writer on female empowerment, she decides to tour the country with Zara, whose journey of self-identity has led her to fully explore life. Lily met Zara through her blog, they decided to become travel companions. Accepting an offer of a free passage Lily and Zara find themselves isolated with Willard, a religiously obsessed man whose past is murkier than the canal waters. The threesome’s journey upriver becomes increasingly bizarre and dangerous as Willard’s fascination with canal ghost’s surfaces, and the spirit known as ‘RÀN’ torments them on their journey.
In a new interview leading up to the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival I got a chance to ask writer-director Kemal Yildirim a few questions about what we can expect from his film The Haunting of the Lady-Jane.
The Haunting of the Lady-Jane will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 10am on Saturday 14th January.
Q. Your film The Haunting of the Lady-Jane has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A. The feeling of the uncanny and eerie chill of the ghost in the shadows. A story of guilt and redemption very much inspired by the classic gothic ghost stories and the British folklore horror of old.
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script for The Haunting of the Lady-Jane?
A. I am a huge fan of classic ghost stories from writers like M.R James, Charles Dickens and Susan Hill. In fact, Susan Hill’s Woman in Black was a huge influence while writing the script. The ever imposing female spirit watching over the proceedings was an element I really liked about The Woman in Black so that was an inspiration for my own script.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I have always been a big fan of British film and TV from the 60’s and 70’s and in particular folklore and supernatural horror. Films like the Wicker man, Blood on Satan’s claw and TV shows like Ghost stories for Christmas, Robin Redbreast and the like. So, these were an influence while creating The Haunting of the Lady-Jane. I always knew I want the film to have a classic look, more akin to the films from the era I love. The landscape of our surroundings were also very important to the film as the isolation of locations are helping to shape the story just as much as the characters in the film.
I am also a big fan of John Cassavetes and his style of film making using the actor as more than just a vessel to tell a story and really work to bring out strong truthful performances. I work very closely with my actors using various techniques to hopefully forge out realistic characters.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. Yes, as with anything, everything always seems easier when you create these worlds in your mind. The practicalities of film making is very different. I tried my best to stick to my original script but some of the more action set pieces towards the end of the film had to be reigned back. Overall, I don’t feel it greatly affects the film. Some happy accidents meant we actually got better locations than planned previously which was great. Shooting on location is never an easy task but factor autumnal weather, two canal barge’s and crew trying to shoot the film was no mean feat. Myself and my crew worked very long hours and I certainly pushed everyone to their limits to complete the film.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. Too many to mention but some highlights were some of the beautiful landscapes around the Shropshire arm of the canals we we’re sailing on. When creating the project, I knew that the landscapes were an integral part of the story and journey of the main characters. The landscapes guide the story visually as the main characters become increasingly isolated from civilisation the landscape takes on a beautiful eeriness. Getting to work with Helene Udy was a big highlight for me as she is a film icon and a wonderful actress. She really supported me during the shoot and gave me some great advice in some of the tougher moments of the shoot.
Being strapped to the boat to get some of the shots was pretty fun, doing a scene on Halloween which involved a Ouija board was also fun. We had a very interesting experience in the Ouija scene, quite ghostly. Overall the shoot will be an unforgettable experience for me.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. We had various issues whilst filming. Finding out the canal barges don’t have sufficient power to run some of our equipment was an issue. So, I had to rethink how I was going to achieve the lighting look of the film.
I definitely had to call on my long years of experience and the tenacity of my crew to get over the line. Also canal barges are hard work, the cramped quarters and the continuous work of moving these big barge’s around took its toll on my cast and crew. They did all the work on the barges as I was always shooting and checking footage.
Q. What makes The Haunting of the Lady-Jane stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I think that question can only really be answered by an audience. I just tried to tell the best story I can within the limitations of indie film making. I want my films to have a sense of individuality about them, I tell stories about broken people and how they navigate through difficult circumstances to find redemption.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. Firstly to be entertained whatever that is to the individual experiencing it. For me film and in particular the horror genre is a powerful medium. It can really tap into an audience’s fears and emotions, So I hope my film can do that in some way.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I have various projects in the works. I am a cinematographer also so I am working with some really exciting film makers. My own projects I have a supernatural mockumentary that is in pre-production. I am working with Dani Thompson on this project and very much looking forward to giving Dani a great character to really push her acting range. I have a film horror set within the world of witches that is also just finishing the script for. I am working with an actor friend on developing a great project for us both to work on. I like to keep busy so there is always a project on the horizon.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Be ready for a very long journey, people do seem to have the notion that making films is glamorous and easy I can assure you it’s hard work and extremely difficult to achieve. Make sure your script is ready and assemble a team around you that really believes in the story you want to tell, I certainly am still trying to get that part right. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes I haven’t made a film yet where I didn’t get something wrong. Plan, prepare and then plan again as there will always be invariables that don’t go to plan or something missed which will cost you on the journey. Most importantly tell stories that you care about and don’t let anyone get in the way of that.
You can find out more about writer-director Kemal Yildirim on the website: www.kemikalfilms.net and IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2704808/
The Haunting of the Lady-Jane will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 10am on Saturday 14th January. You can purchase tickets and merchandise for the festival on the website here
