13 Sins to Confess with Damaian Mc Mcarthy
1
Thank you so much for making time for this interview during such a busy time. To start, could you share a little about yourself?
I'm 43 years old. I live in Cork in the Southwest of Ireland. I'm a writer and director of horror films. I've made a number of short films - He Dies At The End + How Olin Lost His Eye are probably my 2 most well known. I've made 2 feature films - Caveat and Oddity.
2
How and when did you develop your passion for horror movies? What are the inspirations behind your work?
My parents had a VHS rental store when I was growing up in the Southwest of Ireland, so I grew up surrounded by movies. I always had a fascination with the horror section of this old video store, even though these movies scared me. My passion for horror movies began with confronting my fear of them.
3
Your movies brilliantly combine elements of crime and Irish folklore in a way that's truly unique and seamless. The supernatural aspects seem to be inspired by your cultural roots, but I'm curious to know, if your interest in crime come from a personal passion?
It takes a lot to scare me when watching a horror film these days. I love a great piece of suspense or a perfectly executed jumpscare, but it's more entertaining now than upsetting. Whereas things I see in the news, true crime... the cruelty and violence people are capable of I find frightening so it finds its way into my stories. In Oddity and Caveat the villains are worse than any supernatural threat in the film.
4
A recurring theme in cinema has always been dysfunctional families and their hidden secrets. While this concept has long been explored in film, recent years have seen it taken to new heights, especially in horror movies, where it has become a powerful element of terror. What are your thoughts on this "trend?"
It's the idea of the people closest to us being a threat that is so much worse. That idea of believing you are safe with someone but it turns out you're not has always been used in horror movies. If it has become more of a trend lately I wonder would it have something to do with the pandemic and everyone being inside for so long with their families? Or it could just be cheaper to film as it means one location if the family all live in the one house!
5
Your use of a single, confined location, such as a house, combined with your distinctive play with cinematography - especially your use of light and shadows - has become your trademark. These elements create a chilling atmosphere, drawing the audience in and making them search for hidden details. How do you bring all these elements together? Do you have a trusted team that you consistently collaborate with, or do you change your approach depending on the mood you want to convey in each project?
I like to tell stories set in one location. It started for budgetary reasons, one location means less travel time and it's doable on a micro budget. But I like that claustrophobic setting. I storyboard everything in detail and then I work with my cinematographer on creating the shadow and making it as atmospheric as possible. It's a team effort. The costume and production design and everything in front of the camera all has to come together to create that atmosphere. I've only made 2 feature films but one does try to build a team and carry them over onto the next project. It creates a shorthand when you work.
6
"Now that we've covered the basics," let's dive into your latest film, "Oddity." Without exaggeration, it's undoubtedly one of the standout movies of the year. Could you share some insights about it? What inspired you to create this piece?"
Oddity was always intended to be a mish mash of all the sub genres of horror which I loved. There's elements of a slasher movie, a ghost story, a psychological thriller... I really wanted to make a horror film that would have something to scare everyone. Some people aren't afraid of films with ghosts, but a masked killer on the loose they find terrifying. It was an experiment in one way of crossing between various types of horror and offering new twists on old horror tropes.
7
"Oddity is a haunting and unsettling film, both visually and emotionally, yet it also weaves in elements of dark comedy. Certain dialogues and scenes are tinged with a twisted sense of humor. How did you come up with the idea to blend these contrasting elements, and how did you bring them together so effectively?"
There's a fine line between comedy and horror. The film does feature a big killer wooden man so to take that too seriously I think one could make an unintentional comedy. That dark comedy just finds its way into the script with the odd behaviour of the characters and then the actors play it straight which I think makes it funny. I also find giving the audience permission to laugh helps to catch them off guard, as when we move back over that line into the horror territory there is a nervous laughter which continues. And all that just helps to make the film more entertaining and rewatchable.
8
Can "Oddity" be considered a revenge movie? If so, in what way?
I've always thought of it as a feminist revenge movie. It's all about Darcy coming to take revenge on these evil and cowardly men that killed his sister. Her intention is very clear at the end that she wants them to pay and that's what her journey has been about.
9
Both "Caveat" and "Oddity" share similarities in their settings and plot twists, though they are distinct, unrelated stories. As I mentioned earlier, the small, confined spaces and family drama are common elements in both. Is there a personal story influencing these themes, or is it simply your keen observational skills that have led you to write these stories?
There's nothing personal behind any of this. These confined spaces with cowardly men and family secrets is just something that interests me as I write. It's a tricky one to answer as who knows where ideas come from. Because I have an interest in these dark subject matters and a love of horror and films, there's some part of my mind that is always thinking of this stuff on some level.
10
In "Caveat " a rabbit with drums appears, while in "Oddity," there is a wooden man. What do these strange figures symbolize?
On a very surface level these are just unsettling imagery which both act as conduits to something beyond our world, connections to the afterlife.
What could symbolize in relation to the theme or deeper meaning in the narrative of the film I think is left open to the individual viewer and their own take on it.
11
Besides horror movies, do you have any other "hobbies" or passions that have influenced as a filmmaker, in some way?
I like to travel. This year I've been from Texas to South Korea and whatever it is about traveling, seeing new places and people, it does spark off the imagination. I like old horror novelists like Shaun Hutson and James Herbert. I spent a lot of time listening to filmmaker biographies on Audible. I just finished Oliver Stone's Chasing the Light and loved it. Inspiration can really come from anywhere.
12
Horror fans - especially those who have seen countless films - often develop a knack for predicting when the scares will happen. As a director, it must be challenging to craft a tense atmosphere and keep the experience fresh and unpredictable. How do you approach creating unexpected moments and genuinely frightening your audience?
I try to set things up so it seems obvious and predictable where the scare is going to come from but then find a way to do the opposite. Write myself into a corner in some ways. I watch a lot of horror and I'm always trying to predict when the scare is going to happen. So a horror fan watching my movies will be doing the same. So my job is weaponize their knowledge of the genre and lead them into the familiar before surprising them.
If I'm watching a horror film and it fails to scare me I like to figure out why it failed to do so. Was it too predictable? Was it the sound? Was it not built up enough? I learn more from bad horror movies than good ones.
13
What emotions do you hope your films will evoke in viewers during the screening, and what feelings do you expect they will have afterward?
During the film I'd like the viewer to feel on tense and on edge not knowing where the next scare is coming from. But when the film is finished my hope is that they would be left feeling entertained. I have little interest in disturbing or disgusting an audience. That might sound odd coming from a horror filmmaker. I believe the ultimate goal should be to entertain.
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