- Mark Duffield, director of "Ghost of Mae Nak," agreed to an interview. Anyone looking for more info on Mr. Duffield or his films, can visit the IMDB page.
Mr. Duffield, can you please give my readers a brief background on yourself.
A: Hello Rich and readers of OBSCURE HORROR. I was born in India, raised and educated in England and I live in London. My passion for film developed at an early age and I made several short films on 8mm, 16mm and video and always keen to be behind the camera.
Can you explain how you first got into the movie business?
A: I started professionally as a stills photographer and developed my passion for cinematography. I built up a showreel and eventually got to work on feature films. I have worked as a cinematographer on 8 British feature films. I have also developed my skills as a writer and have written and directed several short films. Recently I teamed up with Brian Clemens, writer of THE AVENGERS and writer/director of CAPTAIN KRONOS VAMPIRE HUNTER as well as many other genre movies. Together we made a short film called FACE TO FACE.
Knowing how movie reviews may skew the perception of one’s product, give us in your own words what you want people to know about this film.
A: I believe GHOST OF MAE NAK offers a completely new type of horror film to what usually comes out of Asia. I have directed GHOST OF MAE NAK like a European horror film. By this I mean its characters, pacing and atmosphere are influenced more from European cinema. I wrote the story as a dark contemporary fairytale with a strong love story at its heart but it also has some memorable moments of gory horror that I sure the fans will be talking about after the film. And of course they will learn about a true ghost legend.
Your film is based on quite a popular legend in Thailand. Did this knowledge make the film either easier or more difficult because of how familiar your cast and crew were with this legend?
A: Yes the cast and crew were familiar with the legend of Mae Nak. But they were excited and inspired by the script which was an original take on the Mae Nak story. We knew we were making a ‘serious’ Mae Nak film and a contemporary version that was new with exciting special effects.
If there were one part of the film that was more difficult than you expected, what would that be? Getting a costume to work? Appearing in a certain scene? Certain lines?
A: The glass splitting scene was very difficult to get right and required a lot of preparation. We filmed this scene at the Tobacco Studios backlot where we built a street set lined with market stalls and traffic. NIRUN CHANGKLANG the actor who played Ant, first had to visit the effects company First Ideas to have made a full life-size cast of his entire body in latex. The authentic looking body-cast was literally sliced in half from his head through to his groin and then joined back together with a hinge. On set the stunt company Baan Rig wired up the two large sheets of glass (Plexiglas) to fall on cue. The life-size Ant figure was treated like a giant puppet with wirework to support him and control the split. Later the CGI effects company Digital Lab would enhance this with computer generated wire removal and digital blood. The scene also required a stunt vehicle and driver for the screeching bus, stunt extras to jump out of the way, a trained dog to pick up Ant’s severed arm, and a bucket full of animal offal to add grossness to the “Grand Guignol” scene. The GHOST OF MAE NAK DVD will feature my Director’s Video Diary as an extra that will visually show how the death scenes were filmed as well as the day-to-day film making process.
Was there any one day, one moment where you just knew the film would work they way you thought it could?
A: Everyday was an exciting day on the GHOST OF MAE NAK shoot. There was always something new like a new character, a set , a location, the appearance of the Ghost, or special effects. This slowly built up and I knew we were making an unique film and it was working. But I think getting the cast right at the beginning was a key moment.
Since finishing work on “Ghost of Mae Nak,” what have you been working on?
A: I am writing an exciting new horror script set in the US in English language. I do have several other spec horror scripts I have written and I am also rewriting or fine-tuning them. This is something I always do with my scripts until they get made. I do have a new Thai/Asian horror script but with Western characters and English language, it’s great idea. I am keen to develop my passion for horror/fantasy films, I have some great, original ideas, however I’m afraid I don’t want to reveal anything about my scripts as yet, but I will keep you posted.
What’s next for you? If you and I were to talk 1 year from today, what do you think would be on your plate at that time?
A: I hope one of my horror scripts will be next. Let’s talk in a years time?
Is there any actor you really want to work with one day? Someone that you look up to?
A: I would want to work with actors who are right for my films. I did meet Peter Cushing and Vincent Price once and I would loved to have worked with them.
What are your aspirations and goals in the movie industry? Box Office blockbusters? Films that anyone can watch? Something else?
A: My aspirations are to make entertaining movies that attract audiences and has an impact on them. I love horror films so I will be keen to explore those themes and hopefully make a classic one day like, THE EXORCIST, ALIEN, or THE HAUNTING.
Can you name a film that my visitors probably haven’t seen, that you think has either been an influence in your work or just feel is a “can’t miss” film?
A: Recently I saw THE HOST which is an excellent Korean “Giant Monster” movie. I’m sure it will influence me in someway.
Anything you wish to add for my readers and visitors? Something special about you that they probably do not know?
A: As a writer/director, I feel I am drawn to explore darker stories with adult themes in the horror and fantasy film genre. As a writer I love researching the subject for a new script. I become possessed with wanting to know as much as I can about the subject. This involves reading biographies, historical literature or any related source of information I can acquire. I also watch a lot of films or documentaries, especially horror based as I mainly write horror. Writing a script takes a lot of energy and requires a strict discipline but can be very exhilarating. As a Director, I feel I am a well-organized, calm director, with plenty of planning but I also like to allow for the unpredictable ‘cinematic’ moments.
Finally…this is an “Obscure Horror Movie” website. Can you name the last horror movie you watched either at the theatres or on DVD, etc? How about name a favorite horror film that you have seen that most people probably haven’t seen?
A: The last horror movie I saw at the cinema was the Korean “Giant Monster’ movie THE HOST, it’s just great. I really enjoyed AN AMERICAN HAUNTING, Guillermo Del Torro’s PAN’S LABYRINTH, SEVERENCE and THE DESCENT.
Finally I would like to thank Rich and OBSCURE HORROR for showing interest in the GHOST OF MAE NAK and myself as writer and director. I would like to thank the fans of GHOST OF MAE NAK. I appreciate your support. And for those who have not seen it, then I hope you will give the GHOST a chance and allow your self to be taken on a ghostly thrill in Bangkok Thailand and discover a true Thai legend. GHOST OF MAE NAK will be released on DVD with Extras by the Tartan USA Asian Extreme label on 10th October. I hope those who have seen it will want to learn more about the making, and those who have not seen it will discover a new horror legend of the GHOST OF MAE NAK.
With thanks,
Mark Duffield
Writer and Director GHOST OF MAE NAK.
Thank you very much for doing this.
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Ghost of Mae Nak Review Page