Budding director wows with Cleeve horror flick

TO dog-walkers and hikers it's one of the county's best-known beauty spots.

But to worldwide audiences Cleeve Hill is fast becoming the thing of nightmares.

Budding filmmaker Lee Mat- thews chose to base his new horror movie Shrove Tuesday on the hill.

And now the short is hitting the headlines at film festivals across the globe.

It was given its world premier in New Orleans last week and screened the next day in Washington DC. It had audiences at the New York City Horror Film Festival on the edge of their seats.

Lee, who lives in the Reddings, said that he was inspired by the dark woodland and his favourite director Tim Burton.

The 34-year-old, who works as a video editor for a television channel, said: "It was fantastic to film in Cheltenham and use local actors. It was my first short film and I knew straight away that it could make an impact.

"The American audience love the history and culture behind the town and I think that shines through in the film – despite being a bloody horror."

The film has since won Best Experimental Short at the South Africa Horrorfest and won Best British Film at its UK premiere at the 28 Hours Later festival in Southampton.

The film depicts a lost child in the woods. It is told in a fairytale style, with a narrator, and is set in the Medieval era with a Hansel and Gretel twist.

Only 10 actors were cast in the 23-minute film, on a budget of £200.

Apart from investing in camera equipment and 3D computer-generated software, the most expensive part of the film were props.

Lee said: "The costume was very tricky and expensive.

"The killer's costume cost a quarter of the budget – a brilliant blue, enhanced cloak.

"She also wore a scarecrow's mask with prosthetic teeth, moulded especially for the actor's teeth. And fake blood is very expensive – we needed more than 20 litres! You've got to be as creative as you can and borrow props wherever possible."

Main character Jayde Newman, 11, attends Chosen Hill School, in Cheltenham, and this was her first starring role.

The film was produced by Nina Van Statten and edited by Ashwin Wala.

Music was produced by Peter Rutland, photography by Peter Frederick Davies and effects by Dutch Filmworks UK.

Lee now plans to turn his attention to producing his second feature-length film.

He said: "I can't give away too many details at the moment, but it will probably be a political thriller.

"It will certainly be something that will be a lot more current and have an edge to it. In 10 years' time, I hope to have a couple of feature-length films under my belt. Obviously it would be nice to make some money out of it and if the Hollywood blockbuster scene comes along, then so be it.

"But really I just want to be making films."

Shrove Tuesday will be screened in Illinois, Chicago, and New York later this month. To view the trailer visit www.fleshfuryimageworks.c o.uk