Film Name: Murder Scene
Director: Pedro Santasmarinas
Writer: Pedro Santasmarinas
Inspired by 1930’s American murder scene photography, where cops would present shots of the victim where the corpse looked like it was posing for a fashion shoot. This bright and colourful fashion-film has 5 models killing each other creating a loop that in itself creates a paradox… or does it? Can anyone solve this beautiful murder mystery?
In a new interview leading up to the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival I got a chance to ask writer-director Pedro Santasmarinas a few questions about what we can expect from his film Murder Scene.
Murder Scene will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 3pm on Friday 13th January
Q. Your film Murder Scene has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A. As a no- conventional narrative short film, it’s great to see the festival open to receiving a fashion-film!
Even though Murder Scene is a fashion-film, it has its own language with references that go from the noir to fantasy genres, becoming a bright color-murder mistery.
I hope the viewers can enjoy and have fun with it!
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script for Murder Scene?
A. I started working in fashion in 2019, and coming from a background of film production and having directed some horror/fantasy short-films myself, I soon realised that this was a fashion-film I wanted to do.
It took me a while to put it all together, but my main influence (as macabre as it may be) was the 1930´s American murder scene photography that I came across while doing some unrelated research.
These pictures are morbid! Taken from a zenith angle, in them we always see the dropped dead body with whatever clothing they were wearing at the time and the tripod legs. After going through a bunch of these pictures, it seemed like they could fit into a weird modern fashion catalogue.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. From the beginning I knew I wanted it to be colourful. I knew the idea was dark on itself, so I felt that there should be a balance somehow… Then came STUDIO AV82 (a film production company from Porto) . They are a group of very talented people, and from the moment I shared my idea with them, they supported the film and jumped right in!
The cinematographer, James Williams, agreed on making it bright and colourful then he took the film to another level by asking” how can we shoot this as if we were in the 30’s but keeping it fresh?”
I believe that there was a symbiotic relation between our references that went all over the place from 30’s detective noir and universal classic monster films to Blade Runner 2049 or even HBO series Euphoria.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. I usually work with a very small crew. Since STUDIO AV82’s involvement in the project, production has become bigger and bigger.
The narrative could easily have gone one way because it could simply go from A to B and thanks to the involvement of these wonderful people (namely Bruno Nacarato and James Williams), it grew and evolved into something more complex.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. So, we had this scene with an explosion of confetti, and it was really fun to do! Cleaning the set after every single shot is what filming is all about.
But honestly, that moment when the camera is rolling in slow motion, the reaction of the actress/model Joana Africano has to go by the frame, the BANG has to be right, and the movement has to be right as well… It was spectacular. For those who’ll watch it, they’ll know what I’m talking about.
I can’t express this enough, but it was amazing working with this crew, also the stylist, Tiago Miguel Andrade, and the Girls (Annie, Carla Sofia, Carolina Graça, Inês Mojo and Joana Africano).
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. We were shooting at Grande Hotel do Porto for two days. Having enough production experience, I try to plan things ahead to avoid major catastrophes.
I’d say the biggest challenge in the whole production was that we had some tricky shots in narrow spaces and also with mirrors.
There is this one shot where the talented model, Carla Sofia, has to fall down the staircase hole. We had to plan very well how to do it, and it’s a very awe-inspiring moment in the film.
Other than this, I’d say it was a smooth shoot.
Q. What makes Murder Scene stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I believe that Murder Scene tries to do the opposite of what you expect, and in the sense that it tries to bring both horror and fantasy to the Fashion genre.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I hope people will enjoy the film and have fun with it.
Also, I hope people try to figure out where it all begins and where it all ends. It’s kind of a loop, but still open to the viewer’s perspective.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. Right now I’m doing more commercial work, such as fashion campaigns.
As an author, I’m writing two new short-films and looking for fundings. It’s part of the process.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Do it for love, do it for yourself, and do it for the stories you want to tell.
This is a very privileged and hard field (working on film). Some days may be harsh, but in the end, it is your story.
You can find out more about Pedro Santasmarinas on the Official website: www.pedrosantasmarinas.com
You can find out more about Studio AV82 on the website: https://av82studio.com/
Murder Scene will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 3pm on Friday 13th January. You can purchase tickets and merchandise for the festival on the website 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!
