A recipe for Cupcake: A Zombie Lesbian Musical

14 July 2010

By Chrystal Dean

At the premiere of Cupcake: A Zombie Lesbian Musical, producer Rogan Brown likened the launch of a film, and in particular this film, to giving birth. Amused by his choice of analogy, I actually laughed out loud when he went on to say (in true film producer style) that the births he had been ‘involved with’ were all about muffs and blood. But that rather than having a team of doctors and nurses on standby for the every need of the patient, Cupcake was more like a home birth, with friends and family pitching in.

He’s right. Cupcake is all about muffs and blood. But it’s also about community. The story, the filmmaking process, the financial backing (RE/MAX properties donated $2,500) – all came from a place of community. That’s Hobart for you. That’s Tasmania.

Starring an all-local cast, Cupcake is set in a tranquil suburban street in Hobart. Zombies are on the loose and they’re looking for human flesh. But for two old-time residents of this peaceful neighbourhood, Agnes and Mauva, the threat is not the rotting, rampaging undead but the young, love-struck lesbian couple who have moved in next door.

The film takes the issues of prejudice and homophobia and sucks the rotting flesh out of them, laughs in their face and then sings a little song about it. Horror is known to tap into people’s fears and confront them with them. For writer/director Rebecca Thomson it was the cross between satire and horror that gave the film the power to make a comment on the ridiculousness of these issues.

“The real fear explored in this film, albeit, in a very satirical way, is the fear of sexual otherness, although it might be more true to say that in the old ladies case it is a fear of their own sexuality that drives them to behave as they do. Unfortunately I think this is a fear that still manifests in parts of the wider community.

For local theatre stars Anna Kidd (Billy) and Rose Mastroianni (Dayna) who play the same-sex couple next door, it was the musical aspect and the queer edge that drew them in.

“The story has a lot of heart, and I think there aren't enough films showing lesbian relationships,” said Anna.

“The two leading characters being played by lesbian actors is also important to me. I would like to believe that love can conquer all, including a zombie crisis.

"I read the script and was pleasantly surprised to discover its queer edge, its dangerous edge for li'l old Hobart," said Rose.

“I was definitely enticed before I even knew who would be playing the part of my love interest, which turned out to be, to my surprise, this bold young woman whom I had previously met in a toilet cubicle at a queer Halloween party – ha!

Rose and Anna are harmonious on screen as well, belting out hilarious numbers like ‘No Penis Between Us’ and ‘My Girlfriend Ate My Pussy’.

But for all the hilarity in the film, what is the serious message behind it all?

“Never ever sell your house...unless it is through RE/MAX! Oh, and if you move to the burbs, only ever have gay, lesbian, zombie neighbours – they have a taste for diversity. Anyone, everywhere, always. So, don't judge a cupcake by its lover!”

Thank you for that advice, Rose.

You can check out more about CupCake: A Zombie Lesbian Musical at http://www.zombielesbianmusical.com While you’re there, why don’t you order a copy of the film for your collection and support local filmmaking. It’s $15 and the behind-the-scenes is worth that money alone. I’ve never laughed so much!

To read the full TasPride interview transcript with Rebecca, Anna and Rose, click here

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