Female Eye Film Festival 2018 - Painkillers
After a terrible car crash in which his son dies, brilliant surgeon John Clarke, tormented by guilt, becomes prey to an unbearable physical pain. While his marriage starts disintegrating, John soon finds out that the only thing that can ease his pain is the taste of human blood. When he encounters Herb Morris, a man who claims he can help him get his life back, John embarks upon a nightmarish journey through which he will either have to come to terms with his pain… or become a monster.
Interview with Director: Roxy Shih
Watch Painkillers on Tubi, Plex, Vimeo on demand and Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was lucky enough to be hired by Title Media and Lone Suspect to helm PAINKILLERS. The film was in development for many years before it came across my way last year. I’m extremely honored to be given this opportunity!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I don’t think PAINKILLERS is something that people have seen before. It’s a genre film with paranormal elements, but at the heart of the story are the very real and heavy themes about grief and coping with addiction. Making the film was a lot about being responsible in portraying the way PTSD functions and how it works within the world we created.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It’s easy to want to escape reality, especially if you wake up in one where you confront a devastating loss. In order for us to get through grief, we either must deal with the stages of coping or we find escape in other means. In our film we used human blood as the mechanism for dealing with the main character’s abnormal physical and emotional pain - in a situation like that, you have to ask yourself whether or not you’re willing to sacrifice your morality for the sake of a brief escape.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was already in a really great place when it came to me since Giles Daoust (our phenomenal writer and producer) has had the project for many years. When I got offered to direct, Giles and I collaborated extensively to create the world in which I envisioned and how we want to elevate those characters that were already there. It was a very rewarding and growing experience, I learned a lot since it was my first time making a feature from the male perspective.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We’ve had our world premiere at the Brussels Fantastic Fest and just recently had a screening at Toronto’s Female Eye. So far the reviews have been positive and the audiences’ feedback have been rewarding - some have said that it never goes where they expect, others have commended it’s execution and performances from our stellar cast (Adam Huss, Madeline Zima, Grant Bowler and Debra Wilson).
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
When you’ve been in the hole working on a movie for over the year, it is very hard to see outside of it since you’ve been so close to the project. I always love audience feedback, because I get to experience the feeling of it being new all over again. Nothing excites me more than sitting in the back of the theatre and watching how people react. It makes it all worth it for me. I’m always interested to see what people take away from it, whether they champion or despise a character showcases a lot in how different our stories are interpreted through the human experience. People will have different reactions, and to me that is beautiful.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We’re looking to play at more festivals, we’re yet to have our US premiere which is exciting. In the end, it’s all about being more visible in general, so we appreciate the feature!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Most monsters are created from a place of pain, I hope that I can get audiences to relate to our “monster” with an open mind and open heart. The story also has a true underdog story of overcoming the circumstances and being brave enough to confront your demons and a higher power. Lastly, overcoming grief is a very much a journey for the individual, but it’s important to allow others in to heal collectively.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
At what cost will you sacrifice to absolve your guilt?
Would you like to add anything else?
I encourage everyone out there who is afraid of making a film to just DO IT. We need to hear your stories, we need to hear your voice!
Also, big thanks to We Are Moving Stories, you guys featured my first feature The Tribe two years ago and I’m so glad to be back.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The producers are currently working on their next feature ANDERSON FALLS with the amazing director Julien Seri, currently shooting in LA. As for me, I’m developing a sci-fi TV series I’m really excited about as well as pitching for my next feature. I also run a film festival called the Taiwanese American Film Festival that’s currently in its second year - it will be August 3rd and 4th at the Downtown Independent. For more info please visit: www.TAFF.la
Interview: July 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
PAINKILLERS
After a terrible car crash in which his son dies, brilliant surgeon John Clarke, tormented by guilt, becomes prey to an unbearable physical pain. While his marriage starts disintegrating, John soon finds out that the only thing that can ease his pain is the taste of human blood. When he encounters Herb Morris, a man who claims he can help him get his life back, John embarks upon a nightmarish journey through which he will either have to come to terms with his pain… or become a monster.
Length: 83 min
Who is being interviewed for this article? Roxy Shih (director)
Director: Roxy Shih
Producer: Giles Daoust, Luke Barnett, Vince Masciale
Writer: Giles Daoust
About the writer, director and producer:
Lone Suspect (producers Luke Barnett and Vincent Masciale): Lone Suspect comprises of the duo Luke Barnett and Vincent Masicale. They wrote and directed FEAR, INC, which played at Tribeca. Barnett and Masciale are also known for their Funny or Die videos, which have touched on everything from “Game of Thrones,” “The Walking Dead,” and “The Newsroom.” They are repped by APA and Untitled Entertainment.
Title Media (producer and writer Giles Daoust): Title Media is a film production company active in Brussels, Paris and Los Angeles, with a focus on quality genre films.It was founded in 2003 by award-winning writer/producer Giles Daoust and Golden Globe winner Alain Berliner. Title Media has also been quite active on giving more opportunities to female voices, having executive produced Axelle Carolyn’s debut feature (« Neil Marshall presents SOULMATE ») and Jenn Wexler’s debut feature, SXSW’s THE RANGER.
Roxy Shih (Director): Roxy Shih is an internationally acclaimed Taiwanese-American producer and director. Born in Europe, Roxy’s multi-cultural background and experience has given her a distinct outlook in her cinematic accomplishments. Her work is versatile and she has worked with many independent companies both overseas and domestically, making her one of the most in demand independent cinema artists today. She has had her work showcased in The LA Film Festival, LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, Cannes, SXSW, Toronto Independent, and Dances with Films.
Key cast: Adam Huss, Madeline Zima, Grant Bowler, Debra Wilson, with a special appearance from Mischa Barton.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Looking for more film festivals that may be a good fit :)
Hashtags you use: #painkillersmovie
Where was this filmed? Los Angeles
Made in association with: Lone Suspect and Title Media
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? We’re looking to have a US premiere soon, be on the lookout!