In a new interview I got a chance to ask writer/director Tonks Blom about her latest short film The Stranger. A new dark psychological thriller which she is currently raising funds for with an Indiegogo campaign.
Yon can find out more about the Indiegogo campaign here:
Q. The is currently live for a new short dark psychological thriller which you wrote and are looking to direct, called The Stranger. Could you tell us a little bit about the film and what we can expect?
A. The Stranger is a 20-minute emotional journey that questions conventional ideas around our behaviours and societies expectations on us. I hope it will be a film that leaves a bad taste with the viewer for a long time and plants a seed for new ideas and discussions.
We meet these three very different men who are living together, not because they want to, but because that’s the way it’s always been and while feeding off each other, they are also fuelling each other’s misery, until they get a new chance in life.
What sort of research did you do for the film and during that time did the story change from what you originally intend to write?
A. I spent a lot of time researching the more disturbing sides of philosophical ideas, Nihilism and Existentialism. Not only did they put me in a spiral of misery but also led me to end up listening to Allan Watts on my everyday walks. He became like a mentor, guiding me through this research and allowed me to question things about myself things I used to take for granted.
By starting to question everything it also allowed me to see my stories in a new way and from having no good ideas for weeks, one day it just poured out on the paper, and that is what the film ended up as. Perfect on the first try.
Q. What will your influences be regarding the look and style of the film?
A. One director I am really fascinated by is Gaspar Noé and his way of using prolonged takes to put the audience in a certain state of mind. He was actually the inspiration to go into Nihilism in the first place. I have taken ideas from other experimental directors as well but are aiming to create my own personal touch on everything I do
Q. How much are you looking to raise and what will the money be going towards?
A. We aim to raise £500 and the money is going to be used to create prosthetics and makeup for the movie, dress the set and buy a massive amount of food that will be used in the film. We will also put it in getting some more equipment and treat the cast and crew while shooting
Q. What will make The Stranger stand out as something different?
A. The number of controversial topics and violence cramped in this short amount of time will definitely make it one of a kind. It is a fast-moving roller coaster that will take a grip on the audience and not let go until the credits are rolling.
The movie is also written like a puzzle, solvable if you look close enough.
Q. Do you have any other projects you are working on?
A. I am screening my latest short film My Doll Betty in festivals now and next time will be in Romford Horror Festival in February. Other than that, I am currently finishing my last year in university and looking for bigger and more exciting project to take on when I graduate.
Q. You have already proven yourself to be a talented filmmaker, with your first short film ‘My Doll Betty’ debuting at the Spook Film Festival in 2021. If someone was looking to direct their own film, what advice would give them?
A. Don´t be afraid to do things different and find your personal style as a director. You can also come a long way with kindness towards the people who give you their time and skills, sometimes for free. And oh, Have fun!
Tonks Blom – Writer, Director, Producer
Best Student Film Award Nominee Tonks, had her first short, “MY DOLL BETTY” debut at the Spook Screen festival in 2021. She produced and directed the film while still doing her BA in Creative Producing at Essex University. Growing up in the circus industry, she is a devoted horror creator. With a degree in theater directing, she has produced a range of horror and dark arts experiences; short films, podcasts, online live performances, theater, circus and performance art. She is excited to take on this film production as her next creative challenge.
You can find out more about the Indiegogo campaign here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-stranger-a-dark-psychological-thriller#/