Exclusive Interview with “The Faceless Man” Director Jame Di Martino

From Freedom Cinema, and director James Di Martino, comes face to face with The Faceless Man this summer.

Premiering on Demand August 28, the Australian horror film took home 6 major awards at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival including Best Director and Best Film.

Emily is a recovering cancer survivor of three years. Faced with her fear of getting sick again, her best friend Nina plans a weekend away. Six friends venture out to a country holiday house to party over a weekend. Cut off from the rest of the world they soon learn the inhabitants are unsettling red neck individuals who terrorize and humiliate travelers. At the same time a para-normal monster seen as the faceless man haunts the house pushing the friends to their limits.

From writer/director James Di Martino, and featuring Wolf Creek’s Andy McPhee, Roger Ward (Mad Max), Lucas Pittaway (Snowtown) and Sophie Thurling (“Counter Play”), The Faceless Man haunts digital from August 28.

-PH:When did your filmmaking career kick off?

-James: I started making short films in 2016. The Faceless Man was created two years later in 2018

-PH: And why movies? What was it about movies that had you fixed on building a career around making them?

-James: I have always loved making films. There is nothing more special than watching a great film at the cinema. When I discovered you could do this as a job I was very quick to learn and eager to create my own films. I love reading and thus developed as a writer to create my own worlds.

-PH: Most cite “Star Wars” as one of the films that spurred them towards a career in the industry. What film was it for you?

-James: The filmology of Quentin Tarantino. Ill never forget the experience watching Reservoir dogs or Pulp Fiction. The many times I have watched Inglorious Bastards or Kill Bill. He took many risks and created some of the best storylines in cinema.

-PH: Have you always naturally been drawn to horror?

-James: Not really. But as I was making a first feature film. One that I wanted to be able to recoup the investment and try many crazy things. It was a genre that has grown on me. I get bored of many horror films. Even ones that make big festivals bore me.. I find them very predictable. So I was eager to make a film that was horror and unpredictable.

-PH: In the case of The Faceless Man, where does the story come from?

-James: After my 6th short film Five O’Clock I decided it was time to make a feature film. I had two ideas. One was a horror film with a Monster and the other was a gangster film about a deadly Russian chasing after two girls who stole a large suitcase of cocaine. I realized I had to make one of these films and not write both. Thus I decided to test and see if it was possible to blend these ideas into one. That was when The Faceless Man idea came about. I was also heavily inspired with GET OUT and how that was an elevated horror film. Then I started mapping the film out and wanting the film to be a unique experience. One that goes through different genres and as its core. A deconstruction of the slasher films and creature features. I wanted the experience to weave in black comedy to create a very off beat adventure. At the same time have a looming presence of evil.

-PH: I imagine you’re very close to it, so maybe the wrong person to ask (filmmakers hate the question), but what do you believe makes the film superior to others of a similar type?

-James: Well that’s a very subjective question. No two people will say the same thing about my film for better or worse. It will divide people as it already has. But if I was to pick one thing it’s the unpredictable nature of my film. I don’t think many will be able to pick where the film will go. Or experience many of the genres I have thrown in there.

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