The new British road thriller and how often do we say that is hitting screens today.
And weve been talking to the man behind it to find out more… Congratulations on the film, which has been getting a really positive response.
You must be quite pleased with that!
Yeah, its been amazing actually.
Thats whats got me quite a lot of attention!
Literally word for word.
He said he really enjoyed it as well.
Its very interesting, and pretty cool actually.
Did its distinction work for you when you were trying to get the funding together?
Yeah, yeah, I think so.
I think it was.
Because there hasnt really been a road thriller in the UK.
Theres been a lot likeThe Vanishingin Holland, and a lot of American stuff likeBreakdown.
I think thats what did it.
I think the premise as well.
People liked the premise.
Weve all been on long drives, and weve all been on car journeys.
Thats kind of what helped it.
So just how many arguments have you had on the motorway, and are they what inspired you?
[Laughs] My wife works with me, and we fight quite a lot!
But for us it isnt really fighting, its just how we talk to each other you know?
And weve got a lot better as weve got older!
When we were younger, we argued a lot more!
The theme you seen quite keen on persuing in the film is whether we should intervene or not?
Its a bit of a weird one this, because I wanted people to discover it for themselves.
And I think films and art does that.
And thats what we were trying to do, ask a question.
What would you do if you saw this?
How would you respond?
Thats pretty important to me, that.
Otherwise I think whats the point of spending three years of your life on something?
Was it always part of the deal that youd direct the film?
Yeah, it was nice!
I had the best time…!
It was a five week shoot to get all of this in, I gather, at night?
They say sleep deprivation is a torture technique and I think it makes sense now.
Youve got to be very careful.
If I go into that again, I wont go in lightly!
Maybe well shoot in the winter and you’re free to start at four?
you’re free to shoot nights and start then!
Thats one of the lessons, as a writer/director, you take into your next project?
Yeah, I think so!
Ill always pretty much write my own stuff I think too.
You filmed it two years ago.
It seems to have been quite a long process to get the film promoted.
It was shown at Frightfest last year, and youre still pushing it now?
I think its important though.
I think youve got to see the whole thing through, and I really believe in it.
Im asking people to part with ten pounds, and I think youve got to earn that.
I really believe that.
I think youve got to commit to it.
The prolonged promotional side on a smaller project must hold you back on other things?
So its been on hold for about a year.
And I got a new deal about a year ago.
Its done what it needed to do for me to go onto the next thing.
That was all I was after.
Trying to start a career.
Anything else was a bonus for me.
Its just the way it is.
Im lucky Ive even got a release.
So how do you feel about Hush getting such a wide release?
Coming out a week afterWatchmen!
Youve leftHushquite open ended at the end.
Will you ever go back to it?
No, Id never revisit that.
A lot of that was that the scene we shot didnt work.
When it was cut together it didnt work.
So I had to think of a different ending.
And several hours later, another one was set up.
And I just thought that was the most terrifying thing Ive read.
Youve got three films that youre currently working on.
Which are we likely to see from you next?
I think its this one called The Twelfth Prophet that Im doing with Pathe.
This ones set in America, with an American cast.
Its very, very different!
Mark Tonderai, thank you very much.
Hush is out in UK cinemas now.
Check out our reviewhere.
