If there's an environment that works best for folk horror, it's probably the exquisite rolling moors of Yorkshire under gray clouds. For me, a movie lover who was raised on baby Gothic tales like The Secret Garden and later the grim romance of Jane Eyre, the new film Starve Acre is a splendidly dark and gloomy return to a beloved setting.In Starve Acre, writer/director Daniel Kokotajlo brings to life the chilling tale of a family grappling with loss and mysteries surrounding their home. After a terrible death, husband Richard (Matt Smith) and wife Juliette (Morfydd Clark) search for meaning in faith and folktales. Kokotajlo, a BAFTA-nominated filmmaker for his poignant religious drama Apostasy, premiered Starve Acre at BFI London Film Festival last year, and it will have its wide release this month. As Kokotajlo continues to push the boundaries of contemporary horror, Starve Acre offers a glimpse into his evolving artistic journey and the lengths a director will go to make a low-budget production work. On a Zoom call with him recently, we delved into the inspiration behind the film, the challenges of its production, and the challenges of modern-day horror. Starve Acre UK trailer starring Matt Smith & Morfydd Clark | In cinemas 6 Sep 2024 | BFI www.youtube.com Editor's note: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.No Film School: I know that you've spoken about being drawn to a sense of unease in the original novel. So how do you set about establishing that sense...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Wednesday, 31 July, 2024