Ti West interview: The Sacrament, documentary horror & more

I wanted to do a horror movie that didnt have any supernatural elements.

I wanted to do something that was heavily realistic.

Its always been something thats been really fascinating and really horrific to me.

So those two things sort of made sense.

Theyre the sort of people who would report a story like that, I think.

Thats where it came from.

That inspired me to go and write it.

So was using the Vice name important in building up that air of realism?

They have their own agenda to what theyre doing.

Whereas, while Vice is a brand, they dont have their own political agenda.

That made sense to me.

And also, theyve been at the forefront of video journalism and fringe stories like this, I think.

Theres something interesting about that.

I think the best horror is often a metaphor or keys into peoples real life paranoia.

You dont think about it anymore.

Youre still thinking what that movies about.

That, to me, is whats always been exciting about the horror genre.

That it can transcend being just a visceral experience that was the big goal for me.

To take a stab at make a movie where, when its over, it still resonates with you.

The movie reminded me that horror can deal with weighty, serious themes maturely.

To me, manipulation of desperate people is something Ive always found relatable and scary.

Because I think were so overwhelmed with media.

When we see violence in the news it doesnt really mean much to us anymore.

That was the purpose of this movie.

The film certainly looks authentic, so what was shooting like?

Well, we shot it in Savannah, Georgia, so its a lot of trickery!

So was there any parallel between art and reality there?

The benefit was that I work with the same crew on most of my movies.

These are people Ive known for a decade, and were all close friends.

So really, we got there and said, were gonna do our thing.

When you were writing it, were you conscious of the handling of these grim subject matters sensitively?

Because as you said, they do have a connection to real world events.

I think its about reminding people.

Look at what a cult leader is actually like.

Look at what someone who is desperate to belong can be manipulated into doing.

Look at how graphic it is when this happens.

That, to me, is not exploitative.

I thought Gene Jones was great casting as Father.

Can you talk a bit about how you found him and his involvement?

He was standing behind the counter, and this womans asking questions and hes not paying attention.

And the woman gets embarrassed and leaves.

I was just like, That guy is amazing!

Hes also the guy inNo Country For Old Men,in that coin toss scene.

And he did a great audition, and then I met him for the first time in Georgia.

I dont know what we would have done if wed not had him.

You didnt rush into anything.

I thought that was a bold move.

And when you meet Father, everything he says makes sense.

Thats too reductive and too simplistic.

Nobody joins a cult you just end up being in one.

Because otherwise, why would they be there?

So the first half of the movie has to show it as a positive place.

And therefore all the scepticism and paranoia you might have, youre bringing to it.

Thats something you have to confront and question.

I dont want to, but I get it.

Hes starting to come around to it.

So with all his cynicism, he starts to say, Everyones really pumped.

So fuck, maybe Im an asshole for thinking this is weird.

Then you realise that no, not everything is as it seems.

You build the suspense.

You just have to, otherwise it doesnt mean anything.

And every ten minutes, just give them what theyve paid for.

I dont think that makes a good movie, and I dont think thats what people want.

You just end up with a movie where people are getting killed off more often.

Its the only way I really know how to do it.

So when it comes to that approach to writing and filmmaking, who would you say your influences are?

I like filmmakers where, when you go and see a movie, you could tell who made it.

Just by that feeling you get from it.

So when you go and see a Coen brothers movie, you could tell its a Coen brothers movie.

If you see a Steven Soderbergh movie, you’ve got the option to tell.

If its Terry Gilliam, it’s possible for you to tell.

It feels like only this person could give you that experience.

Those are the filmmakers I like, and those are the movies that inspire me.

Where I go, Wow.

Theres only one person on earth who could have generated this material, and this is amazing to see.

Thats what Im inspired by, but theres no one person over anybody else.

Thats just the kind of stuff that gets me excited.

When I see something thats a whole, unique experience.

Obviously, The Sacramentis a documentary-style horror film.

I think its a trend.

Or, There was a fight in the mall and someone recorded it on their phone.

Or, Some political person did something stupid and someone recorded it on their phone.

But thats not a particularly cinematic style.

Its a topical, relatable style, but its not a very cinematic medium.

Lets see what happens.

Obviously, Blair Witchreminded everybody how successful that can be.

I think youd have to find a new angle for it now.

So it makes sense that youd make movies from that same perspective.

Personally, having made fake documentaries, Im now only interested in making something totally cinematic.

I feel I really need to cleanse my palate.

And it also had a great performance from Tom Noonan in there as well.

What were your memories of working with him?

We worked together twice, and Im sure well do it many more times.

We did my first filmThe Roosttogether, and I think he was pleasantly surprised by that experience.

He really loved the movie.

We have a great working relationship.

Well, he was so great inManhunteras well, wasnt he?

He keeps the rest of the cast a little bit… OnHouse Of The Devil,that was fantastic, because that was exactly what I was hoping for.

It really helped everyones performances.

Its a somewhere-in-the-middle kind of thing.

So hes pretty great.

So with your western coming next, does that mean youre stepping away from horror for a while?

So Im making a western now.

Its not too far removed people do get shot.

Maybe the next film will be a horror movie again, but Id like to do some other stuff.

And I think, if I dont do it now…

I have an amazing cast in it, and its been a great experience so far.

So its one of those things where I think, Let me give a shot to write a western.

This will be an uphill battle, and then it ends up not being an uphill battle.

Im actually talking to you from New Mexico right now we start shooting in a few weeks.

Well, best of luck with it!

Ti West, thank you very much.

The Sacramentis out in UK cinemas on the 6th June.