INTERVIEW | Dean Midas Maynard

Dean Midas Maynard | Film Producer | Horror 

The entertainment industry, like every other industry, has taken a real beating from Covid and lockdown; whether it’s shoots being postponed, Trolls World Tour almost disrupting the entire exhibition industry (no really, look it up) or everyone getting just a little sick of films about zoom calls.  So not only is it a small miracle that anyone is able to continue creating anything at all, but especially when it is a small British guerrilla film project that has reached nearly 80,000 views on Facebook!

I spoke with Dean Midas Maynard, a North-East based film producer who has made a name for himself within the independent horror film scene for his slasher creation Rag Dolly, and spin off nemesis Eve Valentine:  “Rag dolly is the silent, unbeatable, Michael Myers type” says Midas, “while Eve is a complete psychopath and a bit merciless.”  Inspired by an ominous note he saw saying on a spade on a Scottish beach “borrow, but please return…” Midas began production on the first of his franchise in 2019 with a group of enthusiastic volunteers, and is due to release the fifth instalment next month.

We discussed the reception the series has received, whether that is acclaim from the eight international film festivals, or responses from keen fans eager for the next instalment:  “People love rag dolly - we were surprised at the response - there are people who have watched since the first one who are really interested in the upcoming films, even all the way in America!”   It’s apparent that these films have really connected with people, and in such dark (and frankly boring) times, it is more important than ever to be making media that people escape with.  Having said that, it has not been easy to do so: “Even short films take a lot of work, but especially with the restrictions.  The second Rag Dolly film should have been done in March, but that was in lockdown, so we had to film it in July / August.  We kept everything safe - but so long as we’re within guidelines, we can make these films. It has been hard, but on the other side of the coin it has kept me sane! Making these films has  been a massive relief because it has kept me occupied and focussed, and keeping that creative process. I have made a point not to mention Covid in the films, the only change is perhaps the killings have become a bit more creative!!”

“We were lucky enough to have Dolly V Eve at our local Odeon Luxe just before the November lockdown - and that was an amazing experience! But you see these beautiful cinemas, lights off, doors shut, and its soul destroying. It’s been a really tough time - a lot of my friends in the entertainment industry just haven’t worked in nearly a year.”

Film fans everywhere are in limbo right now; missing our local multiplexes and Indie cinemas - but if anyone is looking for new horror films inspired by the classic slasher films of the 80s with a Northern twist, the Rag Dolly & Eve Valentine films would be perfect to slot in amongst the jigsaw puzzles, banana bread, and other lockdown projects!

Valentines Eve 2 is released online on 13th February 2021. http://www.dollyveve.co.uk/

- Lucy Smith-Jones

REVIEW | Happiest Season

2020 | 1hr 42mins | Romance, Comedy, Drama | Rated 12 | Dir. Clea DuVall

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a queer gal in possession of good taste must be in want of more films with lesbians in them.

Anyone who knows me will confirm that I have been excited for this film for almost two years: Clea Duvall, directing Kristen Stewart, in a lesbian Christmas movie! That’s right ladies, we now have TWO whole Christmas lesbian Christmas movies! And unlike Carol, this one seems cute and funny and not a sombre reflection on- wait…

So let’s backtrack:  The film is about Abby (Kristen Stewart) who is invited to spend Christmas at her girlfriend Harper’s (McKenzie Davies) family home, where Abby plans to propose.  The catch? Harper is not out to her high strung traditional family yet…   Now here that the film diverts from expectation:  The majority of the marketing made it out to be a cute romp with Dan Levy at peak Dan Levy, awkward misunderstandings, sneaking shenanigans and Alison Brie shoving people - a sort of queer National Lampoon.  Though the film does feature all the fun stuff, there are a lot of painful moments as well.  For every silly scene of Abby ducking into linen closets, there will be a scene of Harper distancing herself from Abby, leaving her neglected and lonely. 

The film has received criticism for being a bit of a bait and switch: expect cute lesbians, get PTSD from your own coming out trauma.  Which I cannot really argue against, there are some really heart-wrenching moments, especially from Aubrey Plaza, who plays the towns black sheep as the only out lesbian, and Harpers ex…. Plaza is a personal highlight in this film however, this character could easily take on a villain role given her electric chemistry with Stewart, but she manages to blend her classic Daria energy with a sincerity and emotionality that makes this a really wonderful performance.

Kristen Stewart was probably born for this role: awkward lesbian.  She has great chemistry with Davies and Levy and works well as the emotional heart of the film - I spent the majority of it wanting to give her a hug whenever she stands awkwardly alone at parties abandoned by the woman she loves.  This film isn’t all cheery happy fun, and I do think people should go into it with that knowledge - WLW ladies: you will have Vietnam war style flashbacks to your own awkward coming out experiences, be prepared.

BUT.  Just because this film isn’t Elf levels of whimsy it should not be dismissed, after all if you don’t watch the second half of It’s A Wonderful Life wouldn’t you say that actually “It’s a sucky life!!” like Phoebe in Friends?  Though there are some moments that feel a little too real - the film makes a point of reminding you that this is a real issue and “everyones coming out story is different, but they all deserve to be told.”

So while it may not be the silly joy filled ride you were expecting, it is a wonderful film with actually a second scene where Alison Brie shoves people!  I found myself laughing more or less as often as I did wanting to tell Abby everything’s okay.

My main criticisms would be that there are some clunky gaffs and we spend too much time with Harpers stuffy parents and not enough time with the central couple or Dan Levy; for a queer film, the LGBT characters do not hold enough screen time.  Having said that, this is a wonderful addition to the queer Christmas catalogue.  Now if we can just remake Die Hard with Beanie Feldstein…

- Lucy Smith-Jones