Interviews
‘The Girl in the Photographs’ Director Talks Wes Craven’s Mentorship
In 2011, writer/director Nick Simon met horror mastermind Wes Craven through a WGA mentor program, joining the renowned director at his home for dinners over many months. During that time, Simon showed Craven a script that he’d been working on titled The Girl in the Photographs, a low-budget horror movie that will be making its debut today at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was executively produced by Craven, who apparently was involved heavily with the film, from helping cast it to editing the final product.
Simon tells Variety about his first meeting with Craven, saying, “I remember my hands were literally shaking as I went up to knock on the door. Honestly by the end of that first dinner I felt like I knew him for a long time.”
In a statement about the film, Craven lauded Simon: “Sometimes you read a script and you just know. From first draft to final cut, Nick has told a unique story that will leave you wondering: is it always good to be noticed? It has been a pleasure to work with Nick from his days in my WGA mentor group to picture lock. You’ll be hearing from him again.”
‘The Girl in the Photographs’ follows Colleen (Claudia Lee), a young woman who receives photographs of brutally murdered women in the mail, and celebrity photographer Peter Hemmings (Kal Penn), who travels to Colleen’s small town to investigate the matter.
The film’s cinematographer is Dean Cundey, who worked on such films as Jurassic Park, Apollo 13, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and more.
As the inaugural season of Apple TV+’s stellar new series “Widow’s Bay” barrels toward its finale in two weeks, the latest episode gives Kate O’Flynn the spotlight as her character revisits her trauma with the Boogeyman.
“Your Baggage“, directed by Andrew DeYoung (Friendship), sees O’Flynn’s scene-stealing Patricia once again renew her fight with the Michael Myers-like stalker that slaughtered her peers during her adolescence. Thrillingly, it makes for one extended chase sequence that sees Patricia trying to warn others, while evading the undead killer.
In short, this episode’s incredible riff on Halloween and the slasher subgenre transformed Patricia into a fierce Final Girl.
“Well, that felt like a bucket list that I didn’t know was on my bucket list until I did it, but when I did it, I just lapped up every minute,” O’Flynn tells Bloody Disgusting of her triumphant turn this episode. “It felt fantastic for her to get that moment where she is becoming a badass. That was amazing.”
The actress turned to a few notable references for her performance. “Horror-wise, I go back to my youth, which was referenced in some of the episodes: Wicker Man, Carrie, and Rosemary’s Baby, that sort of thing is my kind of vibe.”
O’Flynn also notes how the series’ unique tone allows for so much creative freedom to make bold swings. “There’s something very freeing about it. Every moment is up for grabs, so it’s like we don’t have to totally land in one direction or another. It keeps it alive.“
Patricia is the eccentric assistant to Matthew Rhys‘ Mayor Tom Loftis, who’s at the forefront of trying to solve the island’s pesky curse predicament. Rhys felt the same about “Widow’s Bay” and its rare ability to make you laugh and scream in equal measure, stemming from series creator Katie Dippold.
“The mandate was, ‘It’s a real world with real people. You play for real.’ There’s no playing for comedy or horror,” Rhys echoes O’Flynn’s sentiments on how freeing the series’ tone has been.
New episodes will release every Wednesday through June 17 only on Apple TV+.
Kate O’Flynn in “Widow’s Bay,” now streaming on Apple TV.
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