If you ever wanted proof that the art of movie making is far from glamorous – then a day on the set of Eat Locals will have done the trick. On a miserable February afternoon, HeyUGuys were fortunate enough to be invited on to the set of Jason Flemyng’s directorial debut. Though while we were bemoaning the fact we forget to bring our wellies, such conditions took little away from the conviction and dedication from those involved – in what is a distinctively passion-fuelled project, as you got a real sense for the camaraderie amongst the cast and crew, with everybody coming together to make this work.
The film is set across one fateful night on a farm, where a collective of vampires overlords are meeting up for their semi-centennial meeting. Though what should be a straightforward affair, all goes horribly wrong. As we wondered wide-eyed around the set, cup of warm tea in hand – we were compelled to drink it black, for you wouldn’t trust the milk from the fridge – which is where several prosthetic penises were kept in jars.
That in itself captures the tone of the film; it’s dark and bleak in parts, but witty and surrealist in others – and it’s a project that Flemyng has been working on for over a decade. You can tell he was enjoying himself too, for no matter where we were stood, you could nearly always hear him whistling in the distance.
“It’s been amazing,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get this film made for ten years. Me and Dexter [Fletcher] went out of fashion a little bit so went to do something ourselves and we found this project. I was producing, and Dex was directing it. But we tried and tried and couldn’t get it together.”
“I was doing okay, making a few quid working for Matt Vaughn, so my impetus and passion wasn’t as great as Dexter’s who was desperate to get the film going. Then X-Men came along and Matt said he’d take me to America and I’d make lots of money, but Dex was like, fuck that man, let’s do our film. But I went to America to make lots of money, which was a horrible experience obviously, but I did make a few quid.”
“Dex then went and made Wild Bill, and I lost my director. So then I had to find a new one, and I kept meeting people but the only person who this as much as I did, was me. I realised the reason I didn’t want to be a director was fear. Producing is still a little bit detached, you can say it wasn’t your fault – but directing, you’re front and centre and you’ve gotta make those decisions, so it was just fear that was stopping me. So then I thought, fuck it, I’m gonna do it.”
Fortunately for us, Dexter Fletcher – who has a role in the movie – was on set during our visit, and he admitted to us that while it makes for a congenial, comfortable set – it can be a challenge to take the material seriously when it’s one of his best mates sitting in the director’s chair, telling you what to do.
“In all honesty, it is a challenge I won’t lie,” he said. “Only because you wanna fuck about and have a laugh, and also I keep thinking – is this really Jason Flemyng directing me? Because I’ve directed him before which I was quite comfortable with. But suddenly having the shoe on the other foot is an interesting proposition.”
“I want him to do great and for the film to be fantastic, because there is so much at stake, it’s not a hobby, it’s serious. It’s not like when we hang out and have a laugh and take the piss out of each other, this is him doing his thing seriously. So it’s a challenge that I’ve gotta listen, he wants it in a particular way and there’s a reason why.”
Fletcher, who was at the helm of Wild Bill and Eddie the Eagle – explained he has an agreement with Flemyng that they will always cast each other in their respective directing endeavours (if they’re able to) – and in this instance, he just took what he was given.
“It was Jason’s clear idea right from the start. I would’ve cast myself as something far more mysterious and vampire-like, but he wanted me as the grotty farmer so here I am, as the grotty farmer,” he laughed.
The pair were not the only old friends who were collaborating and helping each other out either – for when it came to the catering on set (yes, we were lucky enough to get involved), Flemyng relied on the talent of a certain chef he happens to know; Jamie Oliver.
“It’s the best catering I’ve ever had,” Fletcher said. “Categorically, no word of a lie. An old mate of Jason’s has been involved and he’s not renowned for location catering but he’s got a couple of tasty restaurants about.”
Though in spite of just how delicious the food being served was – it’s still experience that Flemyng admits has been rather good for the diet.
“I had a personal trainer for six years trying to lose a couple of kilos. Directing a film: seven kilos,” he finished.
Eat Locals is released on September 1st.
