Film Name: Red Flag
Director: Malin Barr, Cleo Handler
Writers: Malin Barr, Cleo Handler
Starring: Malin Barr, Jim Cummings, Cleo Handler, Jenna Williams.
A newly-single woman, just out of a dysfunctional relationship, is introduced to the concept of red flags, but takes it a bit too literally as she heads back into dating.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got the chance to ask Co-Writers/Directors Malin Barr and Cleo Handler a few questions about the film Red Flag, which will have its UK Premiere at The Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Sunday 25th January at 20:00hrs.
Q. Your film has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect?
A. Creatively, we see this film as a romantic horror comedy. It will start out feeling like a playful, grounded, feminist take on the difficulties of modern dating, then evolve into a darker, twisted place that plays with the audience’s expectations and keeps them second- guessing.
Q. You co-wrote the script. What were some of your inspirations when writing the script and what was your process for writing together?
A. After we met at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, we immediately connected over our shared artistic sensibility and excitement for genre-film, which leaves so much room to play with form and subverting expectations. We also noticed shared past experiences around unhealthy relationships, and while trying to date again, became sort of obsessed with asking each other if things were or were not red flags. Because of this, the writing itself became fairly easy as we literally acted the script out together as we wrote.
Q. You co-directed the film together, what is the process for you co-directing and what do each of you bring to the film?
A. We shared a similar sense of humour and character, and a clear vision of what we wanted the film to look and feel like. After shot listing together and working with our DP Jack McDonald, the work on set was playful and intuitive, as we often switched in and out of our acting /directing hats.
Q. Did you have any of the cast in mind for the characters when writing the script?
A. Yes! We actually wrote the main male character Ash with Jim in mind, since he is so great at portraying a slightly nervous/suspicious yet likable figure. We wanted to keep the audience guessing about whether he could be trusted or not.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. Visually, we Spoke about Carrie (1976) and The Shining (1980), and we thought about Fleabag (2016-2019, Barbarian (2022), and Scare Me (2020) for a self-aware, playfully comedic tone mixed with drama and suspense.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. We didn’t make and specific edits, but we were happy to get some extra improv from the actors, especially in the date sequence.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. The final scenes we shot in the creepy cabin in Topanga, California, being totally exhausted at 4 AM but also equally excited about the prospect of being almost finished with the movie – and getting such great shots in a spooky, beautiful location – was super fun. We ended with the climax doing a very long shot of her leaving the bathroom and encountering him in the final moments of the film.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. As always, we would have loved to have more time (and more food since one 2 AM order was a little lighter than expected!). Also, when we first got to the cabin location, it was locked and the owner was nowhere to be found.
Q. What makes Red Flag stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. It gives a fresh, genre-bending twist to a classic horror feel — from a very female perspective — in a typically-lighter dating context.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. Ultimately, we hope that the true horror of the story is the warning that if we’re not careful, we might allow fear and pain to obscure our good judgment and turn us into frightening versions of ourselves. But, hopefully, we can also learn to see ourselves in those moments and then acknowledge that it’s also pretty funny – and grow.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. We are currently writing a comedic murder mystery movie about theatre kids! Also genre- bending and quite playful. We’re also working on individual projects — Cleo recently made a funny album about dating called ”Compare & Contrast” and Malin’s new short Sauna Sickness is premiering at Sundance!
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. You’ll find so many reasons not to make a film, and so many people will tell you your plan (or your budget, or your timeline) is unreasonable. So if you want to make one, don’t hesitate! Just dive in and surround yourself with collaborative people you trust who want to support your goals. And order extra tacos!
Red Flag will have its UK Premiere at The Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Sunday 25th January at 20:00hrs.
You can find out more about Red Flag and purchase tickets for the film here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
