Comedy and Horror is an unintuitive pairing that has proven remarkably popular. Perhaps that’s because the emotional response each genre elicits is visceral and physically overt in a major way. The fanbase that has made films like An American Werewolf in London and Shaun of the Dead (Oscar Award–Winning and BAFTA Nominated, respectively) both cult classics and critically praised is eagerly anticipating what seems to be the next in this line of embraced productions; director/writer Charles Maxwell’s Zombie Apache. Starring Jamie Costa (of Marvel’s What If…? An Immersive Story and Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man and the Monsters of Manhattan) and Craig Charles (of the BAFTA Award–Winning TV series Coronation Street), this film’s sharp-witted writing and self-aware comedic performances are bolstered by the aesthetics of it. A stark reminder that practical effects and sets that don’t involve CGI are the strongest conduit for believability, Zombie Apache utilized the creativity and skill of professionals such as Elean Chiang. Her work in the film’s Art Department for this production is proof that the analogue approach in film manifests something truly organic and relatable. While there’s little that can be revealed about Zombie Apache’s storyline before the film’s release later this year, Elean provides some behind-the-scenes details to satiate excited filmgoers for the time being.
The love of money entices real estate developer to build on a Viking burial ground, stirring spirits of long-deceased warriors to arise and enact vengeance on the local town folk in Zombie Apache. Though that story premise may not cause you to grin and guffaw, it’s the straight-faced comedic delivery of this film which ignites laughter. Sheriff Hatfield (Costa), Josey (actress Bridgette Meredith Garb), and Liverpool Joe (Craig Charles) are inhabitants of the local small town who are tasked with negating the attacks of the afterlife combatants who have come back from Valhalla to teach mortals about respect. A musical score provided by Sacha Puttnam (of the People’s Choice Award–Nominated film Ticket to Paradise starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney) emphasizes the dichotomy of these two emotional elements which are so perfectly paired in this film.
While numerous aspects of the film benefitted from the Art Department, the Viking-centric elements are most certainly the stars of the show. When the Vikings are first visible on camera, it’s a sobering moment as their ominous presence reminds the characters and the audience that the supernatural presence is profoundly fear inducing. The armaments, helmets, shields, and a massive Viking ship are the authentication nucleus of this story. Despite its indie-film approach and budget, these aspects of the film reinforce the premise that the artist, not the funding, are what makes greatness possible. Elean was involved in prop selection and creating components such as logos, maps, etc. as well as the creation of the Viking aesthetics. She informs, “The Viking boat was certainly the biggest thing we created for the film. It was actually made from foam. The shields for the Vikings were very time intensive as they all had to be unique and have an aged look with rust to show the passage of time. I particularly enjoyed making the helmet of our main Viking. It was made of wood and metal and quite fragile; I handled it like it was made of crystal until we were done filming.” Ms. Chiang points to one of her contributions in the film that required an atypical approach. She reveals, “The majority of the comedy of the film comes from the acting and editing. However, there are two important parts that are directly art related. Part of the comedy of the film is the fact that one character who is a full-grown adult thinks he is a great artist. However, his work look like that of a five-year. He is the younger brother trying to prove his point to the wealthy old brother. I did his two ‘artworks.’ The first is a painting that was supposed to resemble a Warhol work, but in the end, it looks like a five-year-old’s self-portrait. The other is one which he wanted to show to his older brother for a big project and, instead of doing so in a fancy way, he’s made a miniature set with horses and action figures. I painted the ‘Warhol’ and crafted, painted and assembled the miniature building.”
Zombie Apache is a Horror Comedy feature film from Somerset Films set for a late 2024 release.