Text © Richard Gary / Indie Horror
Films, 2020
Images from the Internet
In 2016, professional cosplay actor and
genre film director Steve Rudzinski released a film titled CarousHELL, which has received quite a few positive notices by critics and fans alike. It’s a wild tale of a carousel unicorn named Duke, who becomes murderously and profanely
sentient. It’s a wild and bloody comedy (reviewed HERE).
I did an extensive interview with
Steve back in 2014 (HERE), and I wanted to do a quick update on what was going
on in the wild world of Pittsburgh cinema, so here is a few short questions to
follow-up.
Indie Horror Films: Hey Steve, it’s
been a while since you’ve made a feature. Your last few were the “Meowy” series
of shorts based on your cat. But honestly, I’d like to talk to you about a
particular film of yours which seems to be getting some real traction: CarousHELL.
It’s on a whole bunch of different platforms (congrats on that). Why do you think
it’s so popular?
Steve Rudzinski: I just think there is
still absolutely a market for silly, non-serious horror that delivers on laughs
while not skipping the blood. CarousHELL hasn't spread as far as I think
it still can, but of those people finding it after years of first release I
think it's thanks to just having such an over the top premise that catches
people's eyes. And then the film not taking itself seriously with such a
premise certainly helps.
Duke |
IHF: Do you think the popularity is
due to Duke’s comments, or the nasty gore effects that run throughout? Or both?
Steve: It's no question that people sign
up for CarousHELL first because of Duke, the idea of a non-animated sentient
unicorn with a bunch of quips is what gets people to toss the movie on. But
similarly, what makes so many people take the film seriously AS a film is
thanks to all of the amazing effects created by Cody Ruch. I love comedy and
definitely was making a funny movie, but it's still a slasher film so good-looking
gore was absolutely just as important to me.
IHF: What was the inspiration for the
snarky tone of the lead character carousel horse-gone-wild, Duke? One might
think of Freddy Kruger by the puns.
Steve: I've always been a fan of
charismatic killers in horror but hadn't had a chance to do my own yet. When CarousHELL
was first born I knew that since the entire point of the joke was Duke not
moving/being made of rubber, we needed the huge personality to bring life to
the unicorn. And yeah, I like Freddy a lot in particular.
IHF: Do you know if the film is popular
among the Brony subculture? Seems to be
right up their alley. I’m almost expecting someone to dress up in a Duke outfit
a plushie hook-up.
Steve: I honestly have no idea. I've
never heard of it making the rounds in that subculture, it's possible that only
a few or less have so happened to find the movie. Maybe being on Tubi will make
it more likely for it to be posted to Brony message boards.
IHF: I know there is a sequel now in
the works. Will it be a continuation of where it left off, a back story for
Duke?
Steve: Let me be very clear that this is
a continuation of the story. The story of the sequel 100% takes place several
years after the events of the first film. But the sequel will absolutely answer
a few questions about Duke's history and past.
IHF: Will there be any of the same
cast, such as a certain pizza delivery man?
Steve: Judy, who played Laurie's Mom in
the first film, is the only returning cast member aside from Duke. She survived
and caught that baby unicorn in her arms. Everyone else was pretty definitively
wiped out. Joe in particular has his face carved pretty extremely with a pizza
cutter so I don't think we'll be seeing him again.
IHF: I know there’s a Kickstarter
campaign going on for the sequel, What can people to do help out?
Steve: The biggest hurdle the sequel has is getting the money together to even make it. It's that simple. We have a winning team, we have fans that support the film existing, we know what do to. But we can't do it if we don't get the money. If you can't preorder the film yourself, please share and spread the kickstarter as much as you can to anyone you think may be interested. And if they haven't seen the first film yet, well hey it's free on Tubi. Watch it there then help the sequel come to life.
Steve: The biggest hurdle the sequel has is getting the money together to even make it. It's that simple. We have a winning team, we have fans that support the film existing, we know what do to. But we can't do it if we don't get the money. If you can't preorder the film yourself, please share and spread the kickstarter as much as you can to anyone you think may be interested. And if they haven't seen the first film yet, well hey it's free on Tubi. Watch it there then help the sequel come to life.
The link to the Kickstarter page is
HERE.
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