Porno (2019)
Director: Keola Racela
Writers: Matt Black, Laurence Vannicelli
Stars: Evan Daves, Jillian Mueller, Katelyn Pearce, Bill Phillips, Peter Reznikoff
When five teen employees at the local movie theater in a small Christian town discover a mysterious old film hidden in it’s basement, they unleash an alluring succubus who gives them a sex education…written in blood.
Followng the UK showing of Porno at Arrow FrightFest on Friday, I got an opportunity to ask actress Katelyn Pearce a few questions about what horror fans can expect from the film which has already been described as a cult classic in the making.
Q. How did you get into acting originally?
A. The theatre bug bit me when I was 9 and my granddad took me to an audition at the youth community theatre in my hometown of Kalamazoo. My mother is quite the athlete and so are my siblings and I…just wasn’t. My granddad was an artist – he took notice and helped me find what I was good at and where I felt I would belong. I am still so grateful to him for that.
Q. Porno has been selected to play at Arrow FrightFest, can you tell us a little bit about what we can expect from the film?
A. It’s definitely a ride! Let’s hope you aren’t too squeamish when it comes to exploding genitalia and nudity in general, haha. It’s a very fun film that takes itself just seriously enough to say some important things about repression and sexuality.
Q. In the film you play ‘Lilith.’ Can you tell me a little bit about your character?
A. I’m a 1970s porn star turned sex demon. In astrology, the Black Moon Lilith represents a person’s primitive impulses and behavior in the rawest form. My ‘Lilith’ exists to force that out of people. At least that is my take, the writers may say I’m completely off.
Q. What preparation did you do for the role?
A. Lilith does not speak so it was a lot of physical preparation. I used a lot of music to get myself to certain places. Portishead was my go-to band on set.
Q. Did you experience any issues bringing the film together?
A. Not at all. It is an indie so there was some discomfort as there always is… you know… shooting in the nude in the dead of winter with only space heaters to warm you kind of discomfort, haha.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. A favorite scene of mine is with the character ‘Heavy Metal Jeff,’ but I don’t want to give too much away. Off camera, it was my makeup team. I spent basically 2 hours with them before the shoot and 2 hours with them after every day. They’re the most gifted young men and we became fast friends.
Q. What makes Porno stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I’d say that ‘Lilith’ punishing the teens for repressing their sexuality rather than the textbook trope of “only the virgin survives.” I think that’s a really important difference in theme.
Q. What is your favourite scene in the film?
A. Exploding a dude’s sack with my own mind was pretty rad. Haha. I also love every scene Bill Phillips is in – his work as ‘Mr. Pike’ is hysterical. I’ve seen the film four times now and he never fails to make me laugh!
Q. You have done several horror films in your career, is it a genre which you enjoy working in?
A. Very much so! I’ve always been a horror fan. Since the first Scream (1996) came out…I was obsessed. I watched it, like, thirty times! I went on a whole horror binge and made my mom rent me every classic I could get my hands on (luckily she didn’t care much about ratings). She even took my friends and me to see the re-release of The Exorcist (1973) when I was 12.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are working on?
A. I just wrapped the feature film Kurt. which is a film that touches on how the #MeToo movement affects the modeling world. I play a journalist trying to expose the title character (played by Mrs. Doubtfire’s Matthew Lawrence).
Q. If someone was looking to get into [acting] themselves what advice would you give them?
A. Train! And watch everything you can. Read all the plays you can. I get this question a lot on Instagram but almost always in the vein of “help me get an agent” and it makes me sad. The rep comes last for most people…if ever. I have wonderfully talented actor friends who I consider brilliant artists with no rep, but they still find ways to make some of the best art I have ever seen. You have to love the craft – that comes first…then if you are lucky the work follows.
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!
