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Snapped up by top studio
Director’s film earns two Bafta nods even before it’s been released
A Coatbridge- born film director’s latest flick has been snapped up by one of the world’s most famous studios – and scooped two Bafta nominations before it has even been released.
John McPhail’s Anna and the Apocalypse – the world’s first zombie-comedy-horror-musical Christmas movie – has won fans and awards everywhere it has gone.
John is one of the rising stars of British film, while cast members like Ella Hunt and Sarah Swire are all tipped for the top.
But the most talked-about Scottish film in years first began life as a tiny project among old pals in Dumfries nine years ago, when Ryan McHenry and Naysun Alae- Carew started discussing a bonkers idea about school kids, the living dead and showtunes.
They enjoyed instant success with their short film Zombie Musical, and their small team of aspiring film-makers worked hard to make the dream full-length version, which would eventually become Anna and the Apocalypse.
But their vision was almost shattered when McHenry was diagnosed with cancer, which claimed his life at the age of just 27.
His passing inspired the team to bring the film to life against all odds and their labour of love hit cinemas last weekend.
John, who had won plaudits and awards for his rom-com debut feature Where Do We Go From Here, was snapped up by Naysun to direct.
John said: “You have the comedy and the music, but you always have to make sure we are not skimping on the gore but not have too much for the musical fans as well. The horror will come from loving the characters and not wanting them to die.
“On Twitter I’ve seen musical fans say they hate horrors but love this film, and horror fans say they hate musicals but love this.” Naysun added: “It’s John’s vision. “We looked at a lot of horror directors, but it’s not a horror, even though it’s got gore and zombies.
“John has a love of horror, but his pitch for the film was all about the characters and the heart.”
After a five- week shoot in a Port Glasgow school in January and February 2017, John and the cast unleashed Anna and the Apocalypse at the Fantastic Fest film event in Texas in September last year, accompanied by kilted zombie bagpipers – it was a roaring success.
The film was bought by iconic studio MGM Orion for the Americas, and an incredible world tour saw it lift 14 awards at festivals, while the soundtrack has been released on Interscope records and a young adult novelisation published on Macmillan Books.
The team are incredibly proud of the resulting movie, and Naysun is sure Ryan would have been delighted too.
“I think he would love the film and he would love what it has done for everyone and in some way that is more meaningful.”
Anna and the Apocalypse (15) is in cinemas now.
We looked at a lot of directors... John has a love of horror, but his pitch for the film was all about the characters and the heart