Black magic rituals in movies often appear simplistic – a pentagram, some candles, and a bit of chanting. But as Liam Gavin masterfully demonstrates in his debut feature, A Dark Song Film, the reality is far more complex and unsettling. This chilling slow-burn horror follows Sophia (Catherine Walker), a grief-stricken woman, and Solomon (Steve Oram), a demanding occultist, as they isolate themselves in a remote house to perform an elaborate and potent ritual. Days turn into weeks, sacrifices escalate, pain intensifies, and a palpable sense of change begins to permeate the oppressive atmosphere.
In this insightful interview, director Liam Gavin delves into the inspirations and influences that shaped A Dark Song film. He discusses crafting the film’s distinctive tone, seamlessly merging social realism with elements of supernatural horror, and the intricate process behind bringing this unique cinematic experience to life.
The Genesis of A Dark Song: From Concept to Creation
The seed for A Dark Song film was planted during a conversation about the perceived stagnation in horror cinema. Gavin recalls a development executive lamenting the genre’s over-reliance on familiar tropes like vampires, possessions, and zombies, yearning for originality. Serendipitously, around the same time, Gavin encountered a documentary about the infamous Aleister Crowley. He was particularly struck by Crowley’s performance of a lengthy and elaborate ritual in a Scottish house – the very ritual depicted in the film. Intriguingly, Crowley himself reportedly abandoned the ritual midway through out of boredom. The house, which once belonged to Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, was slated for demolition, adding a layer of eerie transience to the story. Gavin recognized the cinematic potential in this “bonkers” ritual, especially its contained setting within a single house, making it a conceptually and financially viable project. Thus, A Dark Song film began to take shape.
Blending Social Realism with the Occult
Gavin’s approach to A Dark Song film was deeply informed by a personal, albeit brief, foray into the occult during his teenage years. Attending a Catholic school, he was already immersed in a world of ritual and mysticism. This early experience gave him an understanding that the occult was far removed from popular misconceptions. He aimed to portray it with a sense of social realism. His intention was to depict the practice in a grounded and believable manner, emphasizing the arduous and often mundane process involved. For Gavin, A Dark Song film is about the journey as much as the desired outcome, reflecting the reality for many who engage in such practices.
Catherine Walker in A Dark Song film
Alt Text: A tense scene from A Dark Song film featuring Catherine Walker, highlighting the film’s intense atmosphere.
Slow-Burn Horror: Atmosphere and Character Take Center Stage
The deliberate pacing of A Dark Song film is a conscious choice, a reaction against the prevalent jump-scare driven horror films of recent years. Gavin describes the film as a “wait,” emphasizing the prolonged and demanding nature of the ritual itself. He likens the atmosphere to a “pressure cooker,” a constant, mounting tension. This slow burn approach is designed to build atmosphere and immerse the audience in the experience, creating a sense of unease and anticipation far more profound than cheap thrills.
Crucially, Gavin wanted A Dark Song film to be character-driven. He felt that jump scares often sacrifice character development in favor of manipulating immediate audience reactions. By prioritizing character depth, Gavin aims to make the audience feel deeply connected to Sophia and Solomon, almost as if they are a third participant in the ritual, sharing the claustrophobia and psychological strain.
Crafting Complex Characters: Sophia and Solomon’s Evolution
The characters of Sophia and Solomon underwent significant transformations during the writing process. In early drafts, Sophia was conceived as a younger, 17 or 18-year-old girl seeking to contact her deceased brother. Solomon, in this initial iteration, was a more benevolent figure. However, Gavin recognized an imbalance in this dynamic. By making Sophia older, closer to her 30s, he established a relationship of equals. Despite Solomon’s aggressive demeanor, Sophia is not easily intimidated, creating a compelling power dynamic between them.
Solomon’s character also evolved considerably. Initially conceived as kinder, Gavin decided to amplify the pressure on Sophia by making Solomon damaged, angry, and even bullying. This deliberate choice intensifies the ritual’s arduous nature and creates constant conflict. However, as A Dark Song film progresses, a subtle softening emerges in their relationship, hinting at the shared trauma and vulnerability beneath their abrasive exteriors.
Steve Oram in A Dark Song film
Alt Text: Close-up of Steve Oram in A Dark Song film, portraying the intense and complex character of Solomon.
Casting Challenges and Fortuitous Choices
Casting Sophia proved particularly challenging due to a specific, spoiler-sensitive scene that Gavin acknowledges “looks even worse on paper.” Actresses were hesitant, struggling to envision how the scene would be handled and fearing its implications. One actress even withdrew from the project, convinced that the film was engaging with real occult forces, echoing anxieties surrounding films like The Exorcist.
The Irish Film Board championed Catherine Walker, a prominent Irish theatre actress. Upon meeting Walker and conducting an audition, Gavin instantly knew she was perfect for the role. He describes a near-instantaneous recognition of her suitability, highlighting her ability to embody Sophia’s strength and vulnerability.
Steve Oram’s casting as Solomon also involved a degree of serendipity. Another actor was initially attached to the project but had to withdraw due to television commitments. As deadlines loomed, Gavin noticed Oram’s consistent presence in various productions, feeling almost guided towards him by fate. Having admired Oram’s work in The Canal and Sightseers, Gavin became determined to cast him. Oram’s enthusiasm for the role solidified the decision, and his casting propelled the project forward.
Building Character Depth Through Backstories
Gavin prioritized creating rich inner lives for his characters. He believes that characters should arrive on screen “full up,” carrying the weight of their past experiences. To achieve this, he developed detailed backstories for both Sophia and Solomon. He provided the actors with chronological outlines of key life events and tasked them with fleshing out the details, essentially interviewing them in character after they had immersed themselves in these backstories. This process proved “gripping,” allowing Walker and Oram to fully inhabit their roles, adding layers of depth and authenticity to their performances in A Dark Song film.
A scene from A Dark Song film showing both Catherine Walker and Steve Oram
Alt Text: Catherine Walker and Steve Oram in a pivotal scene from A Dark Song film, emphasizing the dynamic between the two main characters.
Filming Under Pressure: Storyboarding as a Lifeline
The entire shoot for A Dark Song film was completed in a remarkably tight 20-day schedule, a significant challenge given the film’s complexity. Gavin’s background as a storyboard artist proved invaluable. Having storyboarded the entire film in advance, he arrived on set with a precise visual plan for every scene, maximizing efficiency and ensuring that the ambitious schedule was achievable.
Despite the dark and intense subject matter, Gavin describes the filming experience as surprisingly harmonious. He emphasizes the absence of conflict or tension on set, creating a pleasant and collaborative environment amidst the pressure. The interior house scenes were filmed in a mansion in North Dublin, ironically surrounded by a council estate. The location itself contributed to the film’s atmosphere. Despite being shot in July, the house was perpetually cold and damp, requiring the cast and crew to wear winter clothing indoors, contrasting sharply with the summer heat outside, adding to the unnerving atmosphere that permeates A Dark Song film.
Pacing and the Power of Editing
Achieving the deliberate pacing of A Dark Song film was crucial. While the script underwent a year and a half of development to refine the characters and relationships, the editing process was equally vital. With a limited setting and dialogue-sparse scenes, the editing team had considerable flexibility. Scenes were fluid and malleable, allowing for significant rearrangement and manipulation. Moments intended for one part of the film could be relocated to entirely different sections during editing. This extensive manipulation was key to ensuring the film’s rhythm and flow. Gavin highlights a specific challenge in making the initial ritual sequence work effectively, requiring significant time and effort in the editing room to achieve the desired impact in A Dark Song film.
Influences: A Unique Blend of Realism and Horror
Gavin articulates his directorial approach as a fusion of social realism, inspired by filmmakers like Alan Clarke and Mike Leigh, with the aesthetics of Japanese horror. He also draws visual inspiration from the dramatic lighting and composition of Counter-Reformation painters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt. He succinctly pitches his films as “It’s Ken Loach does The Exorcist,” encapsulating this unique blend of grounded realism and supernatural horror, a formula he is continuing in his subsequent projects.
Liam Gavin directing A Dark Song film
Alt Text: Director Liam Gavin on the set of A Dark Song film, illustrating the film’s creation process.
Beyond A Dark Song: Exploring New Horror Territories
Gavin’s next project, also set in North Wales, delves into another unique horror concept: drowned children returning from the dead. Described as an ensemble piece, it’s Gavin’s distinctive take on the zombie genre. Despite jokingly acknowledging his earlier comment about zombie fatigue, he assures that his approach is “very different than the usual take,” promising a fresh perspective on familiar horror tropes.
The Enduring Power of The Exorcist
When asked about his go-to horror film, Gavin unhesitatingly names The Exorcist. He acknowledges its cliché status but emphasizes its profound impact. He also cites A Tale Of Two Sisters and Dark Water as significant influences, particularly for their tonal control, and mentions Snowtown. However, The Exorcist remains his all-time favorite, resonating deeply with him due to his Catholic background, suggesting a personal and cultural connection to its themes of faith and demonic possession.
A Dark Song film was released on April 7th, marking the arrival of a distinct and compelling voice in horror cinema. For more genre news and in-depth coverage, readers are encouraged to explore SciFiNow magazine.
(Originally published by SciFiNow)
