Actor Alex Reid talks about working with writer/director Conor Horgan

‘‘From an actors point of view he is great, I do think it makes a difference when you work with a writer/director as opposed to a filmmaker; his vision is a lot different to someone who is just directing someone else’s story. It’s a good point of reference to go to, just one person as opposed to many different people. He has always been open to our ideas and I think it’s nice as an actor to have that trust put on you, that it’s your job as an actor to bring your idea about the character and thoughts to bring the story along and he is completely open to that.’’

The Story -
(The beginning) ‘‘I think the ambiguity is good, I think people will always make up stuff in their own minds. I hate watching stuff where the audience is patronised and spoon fed what has happened and in this it doesn’t really make a difference, it has maybe made a difference to us and we discussed it but it has been more important for us to discuss our relationships beforehand because then the different personalities and relationships can react in the situation. When the film starts we have already been there for a little while anyway so I think it is a case of playing catch up from an audience’s point of view but you don’t need to know, there is more enjoyment when you don’t. I think with the ending you don’t know, I liked that about the film, there is no apology and no sugar coating anything. ’’

Themes/Issues –
‘‘I think there are different issues for the different characters; I would say one of the themes is forgiveness, loss of hope and also not losing hope. Sometimes in tragic circumstances people’s strengths really come out and people tend to come together sometimes rather than unravel. I suppose human nature and the lengths that you will go to to survive or get what you want but I think there are some really interesting dynamics within the house; watch people crack in different ways than you hopefully will expect.

About Hannah –
‘‘Hannah and Jonathon have been married a few years, along with the fact that the situation these four people have been put in is a very stressful and non-pleasant one, it kind of highlights the fractures in peoples’ relationships and Jonathon and his marriage is very flawed. They have lost closeness, it is like watching two seperate people functioning. The same as in life, a crisis can bring people together as well, it highlights the good points and bad points in their relationship.’’

On Set –
‘‘ It all feeds into the part, if you filming on location you get cold and tired and hungry and by the end of the day it’s not so much of a stretch to be acting it. On set is a really lovely atmosphere and you get that when you work with a relatively small crew who are all on the same page and really want it to work, and at the centre of it is Conor’s story and script and everyone’s loving it so you want to see it all come together.

Working on something like this and people with different skill levels and people who are very talented the enthusiasm is the most important thing, you do get a sense of everyone being on the same page and working towards the same thing, everyone wants the film to work and you do whatever you have to do to get that. Personally I love working at this speed because I think that it keeps things fresh, certainly for the storyline it is a great way to work; a great team effort and no one takes their eye off the ball.’’