Interview with The Butcher Brothers (Mitchell Altieri and Phil Flores) by Molly Celaschi


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THE HAMILTONS, ONE OF NINE FILMS, AT THIS YEARS AFTER DARK HORRORFEST

Some people say that horror is at a stand still now and that filmmaking in San Francisco is struggling to exist. There are many arguments I have against these beliefs and one would be The Butcher Brothers. Not only are they making films in the SF Bay Area, but they are also making waves in the horror industry. Their film ‘The Hamiltons’ has won many awards even at non-genre film festivals and has been accepted into the After Dark Horrorfest. Even Variety Magazine hailed their film as a success. Take that Hollywood.

HorrorYearbook: Did you create the name The Butcher Brothers solely for your line of horror films?

The Butcher Brothers: Yes….It’s our alter-ego, the darker version of ourselves.

HYB: So tell us what to expect from The Hamiltons? What makes this film stand out from the rest playing at the After Dark Horror Fest?

TBB: It’s original… Nobody’s really seen anything like it. It’s a new brand of horror.

HYB: What was your inspiration for this film and how did you develop the idea?

TBB: We wanted to make a horror film that we’d like to watch. It seemed that Horror was falling into a pattern and the films that were being released were one in the same. We wanted something that had story, like the horror films of the late 70’s and early 80’s. A lot of people compare it to THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSARCE, but with way more story. We are also huge David Lynch and David Cronenberg fans.

HYB: I heard that this film is not exactly a “Horror” film, but deals with horrific elements. It is true that this has been submitted to festivals, but rejected due to the inability to categorize it? For instance, it is not typical horror, but the subject matter is considered too disturbing to be deemed a Drama?

TBB: To be honest, our film is disturbing but it won the Santa Barbara Film Festival, the Malibu Film Festival, SF Indie Fest and was selected for several more festivals. It has story. If you removed the horror angle, it’s still a great film of a family trying to get by in the world. So it was never rejected but actually invited to major festivals.





















HYB: I see that Brittany Daniel is in the film. What was it like working with her and how did you get her to make an appearance?

TBB: She is a very sweet person. Great actress. We sent her the script and the day she read it, called the set and said “I’m in!”

HYB: Well, you seem to have had string of good luck with this film and are getting noticed by people in the horror industry. What has been the most important thing you learned as a writer and director working on this project?

TBB: Casting! Casting is a very big thing to us. We are not conventional in any way.

HYB: Can we discuss the deal with Lionsgate? Will this be a straight-to-DVD release or are you expecting to get a theatrical release other than the After Dark Horrorfest?

TBB: Lions Gate has been behind the film and strongly promoting it. I think after the Horrorfest we will have a sit down and see what’s next.

HYB: Speaking of After Dark, How did you get your film in the fest and what has the reaction been like by Lionsgate and others since being accepted?

TBB: We’ve been fortunate; “The Hamiltons” has had a strong buzz since we first screened it. Courtney Soloman, who runs After Dark heard about our film and after watching it became a big fan, he thought “The Hamiltons” would make a perfect fit for the Horrorfest.

HYB: So what has the festival run been like? Won any other awards we should know of? Cause any trouble at screenings?

TBB: The festival run has been stellar. We’ve been invited to prestigious festivals, met a lot of great people and gotten a ton of press, including awards (Jury Prizes, Gold Vision Award). As far as trouble, we can’t talk about that thing that happened in Malibu, lets’ just say everyone involved had fully rehabilitated.

HYB: Since you live in the Bay Area, Will you be attending the Fangoria Convention in San Jose in 2007?

TBB: The Butcher Brothers are actually guest speakers at the convention… Should be a blast…come by.

HYB: Are you planning any other horror films in the near future?

TBB: We are in development on a few right now, you should see something new from the Butcher Brothers in late 2007/early 2008.

Folks, we have some genuine horror lovers here, so be sure to support the genre and our Bay Area filmmakers by attending the After Dark Horrorfest Nov. 17th-19th nationwide. For theater listings, please visit Horrorfest. Also, be sure to check out The Butcher Brothers at the Fangoria Convention in San Jose, CA Jan. 5th-7th. Buy tickets HERE

* For more information on The Butcher Brothers, Please visit their website at SFFILMS.COM or their MySpace

Also, make sure to check back later this week, for Molly’s upcoming, interview with Cory Knauf. One of the stars of ‘The Hamiltons’ and upcoming film ‘Pocahauntus’.

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