This guy has some balls doesn't he - Mr. Alex "The New Guy" Diaz in his first article for Obsessed With Film, without any fear he takes a dig at me, the messiah of OWF for not setting up a screening for him earlier for LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS (he's seeing it Monday for free, the ungrateful git!), before he got to interview the lovely MyAnna Buring. He's right of course. I should have made sure I pulled more strings... but professionalism my dear Alex. Professionalism! Let's not have this discussion in public. And besides, you got to call a hot chick, talk to her about Lesbians and for it to be classified as job, and not some seedy call service costing £1 a minute. Ah, I'm only messing with ya mate. Welcome aboard (you bastard!!!!)
So, my first assignment for Obsessed With Film and I havent actually seen the film that the actress Im interviewing over the phone is promoting. Granted, these are not ideal circumstances (do such things exist?) but the task was made much easier by Ms. Buring, who proved to be the personification of charm, warmth and enthusiasm despite a very busy PR schedule. Fifteen minutes doesnt allow for much in-depth discussion but we managed to touch on a broad range of subjects, from sexploitation and typecasting to Scooby-Doo, so theres plenty to get yer teeth into! Obsessed With Film: Unfortunately I havent been able to see LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS yet, so could you introduce the movies plot and the character you play?
MyAnna Buring: The film is about two skint mates called Fletch and Jimmy who decide to get away by going to Wales on a hiking trip. As fate would have it they end up in a cursed village where, according to an old legend, a vampire queen with a hatred for men turned all the womenfolk into lesbian vampires upon their eighteenth birthday. I play Lotte, the leader of a group of foreign female students who also happen to be passing through the village. Lotte is fascinated by folklore and eventually falls for Jimmy (Matthew Horne), who she joins as a slayer of lesbian vampires.
OWF: Its been reported that the film draws heavily on the Hammer horror classics. Where did you find inspiration for the role of Lotte?
MB: Velma Dinkley from SCOOBY-DOO was my main source of inspiration. As soon as I read the script she was the first character that came to mind. When I was growing up SCOOBY-DOO was my favourite cartoon - along with TOM AND JERRY - but it always bothered me that Velma never seemed to get the guy. So I saw this as a chance to right that wrong. I didnt feel the need to emulate any of the Hammer stuff because that was already there in the script and comes through very clearly without any particular effort on my part.
OWF: Judging by the films name and marketing strategy it seems to be a classic piece of cinematic sexploitation. Is there more to LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS than utterly sexy girls snogging?
MB: Its a good film for a Friday night out with your mates, a chance to settle down with some popcorn and have a laugh. Its not intellectually challenging and not really intended to get you emotionally involved. Just like the Hammer movies, its about having a good time.
OWF: What would you say to critics who claim this type of movie somehow demeans women?
MB: I think they read too much into a bit of fun. The Nuts-fest aspect of the film is part of the genre, as are the somewhat underwritten female characters in crazy, sexy outfits. But the women in this film are strong and far from stupid. Lotte, for instance, is a feisty girl who is not afraid to fight for whats right. Shes not really an exploited character. And if you look at the male characters, theyre not exactly prime examples of the human condition either. So Id say that if people want something deeper, its out there, but they shouldnt look for it in this style of film. I think its good that cinema has that kind of variety.
OWF: Youve played a number of roles in horror flicks such as THE DESCENT, CREDO and THE OMEN before. Is there something in particular which draws you to this genre?
MB: THE OMEN keeps coming up in interviews but I was little more than a glorified extra in that film. John Moore (director) flew me out to Prague for a couple of really fun days, but that was all. And LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS is more of a comedy than a full-blown horror film. As to my involvement in other horror projects, those are simply the jobs that have come up, to be honest.
OWF: So youre not worried that youll get typecast in this kind of role?
MB: No, its great doing that type of movie, but Ive done other stuff as well. Im actually very grateful to the horror genre, which has given me a chance to be seen by all sorts of different filmmakers. Bear in mind I was only three months out of drama school when Christian Colson (producer of THE DESCENT) and Neil Marshall (writer/director of THE DESCENT) gave me the chance to feature in my first real movie. So I feel a sense of gratitude towards them and towards the horror genre for helping me to get my career started.
OWF: You also worked with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg on DON'T, a hilarious spoof trailer segment for Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguezs GRINDHOUSE. Having witnessed how Wright and Pegg work first hand what would you say has been their recipe for success?
MB: Ive not met Simon Pegg but Edgar Wright called me up for a small part in Dont and I spent about a day working with him. Anyone whos met Edgar will know that he is an encyclopaedia of knowledge with a very broad frame of reference. Hes a devoted film fan with a true passion for and understanding of storytelling.
OWF: One final question. The trailer for The Descent: Part 2 is now doing the rounds on the net. I noticed that youre back as Sam, which Im sure anyone who has seen the first film will find a little puzzling. Any hints on what your part in the sequel is?
MB: Cant really say much at this stage, but perhaps there is a little flashback involved? We shall have to see.
Obsessed With Film: Unfortunately I havent been able to see LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS yet, so could you introduce the movies plot and the character you play?