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Your upcoimng movie Kill Me I'm Irish - in few
words, what's it going to be about? A guilt-ridden Irish detective and a determined rookie officer
race against time to stop a serial killer who targets Irish
women on St. Patrick's Day.
What were your sources of inspiratiion when writing Kill Me I'm
Irish?
I love the movie Seven, and whilst it's basically a police procedural
movie it's horrific at the same time. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are
very capable cops and even they understand that they are jumping
through hoops for a madman on a mission. It's that kind of clever more
cerebral horror that interests me, and what we're hoping the audience
will take from this.
What can you tell us about Kill Me I'm Irish's approach to
the thriller genre?
It's character-driven for sure. I think when making a horror film you
have to decide what kind of movie you're making in terms of tone. Like
Scream or
A Nightmareon Elm
Street are pop culture and good fun films -
very aware of themselves. Whereas
Butchers or
Wolf Creek allowed you not to fully understand the motives
for the brutal killings - which makes the audience piece together a
reason. So when making the film you need to decide which story you
are giving the audience, what's the perspective as that affects how
people will feel about the film and characters. Recently I saw the
film In a Violent
Nature which was completely from the perspective of
the killer, so we never got close or emotionally attached to any of
the victims, which was unnerving and an interesting idea that spun the
whole thing on its head. Now no one of these ways is 'wrong' - but
you just have to be aware of what film you're making and why. The
detectives in our story try to work out how our serial killer is
selecting the female victims in the New York dating scene. It bothers
our lead detective as he was present for the first murder so has an
emotional connection to it - which is blinding him from seeing key
bits of information, about why he chooses St Patrick's Day to execute
his annual victim.
Do talk about your directorial approach your story at hand!
I believe in a team, which is what we built on this film. Everyone
worked hard to get the best out of every scene. There's not much point
in having a great cast and crew and then not letting them flex. They
all got my vision for the film and all found a way to give it depth. I
don't believe I am heavy handed in directorship roles - I prefer to
hire the best actors and let them realise and manoeuvre with a
flexible script. With myself only acting as guiding hands when needed
if I see it going off the rails in a way that won't serve the film as
a whole.
You also appear in front off the camera in Kill Me I'm Irish
- so what can ou tell us about your character, what did you draw upon to
bring him to life, and did yoou write Father Ryan with yoourself in mind
from the get-go?
I always enjoy playing the darker characters. I try to find the humor
in something grotesque, which makes people's skin crawl. My character gets
close to the people hunting him - it's voyeuristic for him as he feels
he's on a mission with a higher purpose.
What can you tell us about the rest of your key cast, and why
exactly these people?
Well, I wrote with Nick Biskupek, Sienna Star, Douglas Vermeeren and
Damir Kovic in mind - which immediately helps. I have done several
projects with each of them as co-actors so I know where to place them
in my story with maximum effect. I am very excited by the performances
that they have given, but also newcomers for me Shayna Burns, Michael
Vassi, Sean Irvine and Zeus Fleming rose to the occasion and made the
whole film feel real.
A few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?
Tense. We shot the film in 9 days - so everyone was super-focused.
The $64-question of course, when will Kill Me I'm Irish be
released?
Why St. Patrick's Day 2026 of course!
Any future projects beyond Kill Me I'm Irish?
We're also working on wrapping up Deinfluencer 2 and 3 which we hope
to be out in December. It's the sequel to Deinfluencer and is a very
slick social media-related horror.
What got you into acting in the first place, and did you receive any
formal education on the subject?
Oh yes, drama school in London - I won't say when you'll work out how
long I have been plugging away at this!
What made you take up writing, producing and directing eventually,
and which side of the camera do you actually prefer?
Acting is a liberating joy. The others serve that!
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Kill Me I'm
Irish, in whatever position?
Oh check me out on IMDb - I have been in everything from films with Bruce
Willis, a TV show with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and
Netflix's
The Witcher. Everyday is very different!
How would you describe yourself as an actor, and how as a director?
Always learning new tricks to make people believe I deserve the job.
Actors, filmmakers, whoever else who inspire you?
Gary Oldman is my all time favourite. He has the ability to embody any
emotion without uttering a single word. But he feels fearless to me.
Your favourite movies?
Leon the Professional - which you may have guessed from above!
... and of course, films you really deplore?
Nothing really offends me - it has an audience, that's why it's there.
Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?
Well follow me on Instagram - @simonphillipsactor - or the mighty IMDb to
see what's coming up!
Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to
ask? May the film gods be with us!
Thanks for the interview!
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