TasPride interview with Rebecca Thomson, Anna Kidd and Rose Mastroianni

TasPride VP Chrystal Dean caught up with Hobart writer/director Rebecca Thomson and the stars of her new short film Cupcake: A zombie Lesbian Musical, Anna Kidd and Rose Mastroianni. To read the TasPride feature article on Cupcake, click here

TasPride: Horror films are designed to tap into people’s fears and confront them with them. How does a zombie lesbian musical relate to the GLBTIQ community?

Rebecca: Well, in the case of this film the theme of sexual prejudice and indeed the comedy of the film are both built around the fact that the two old ladies in the film are not at all fearful of the hordes of flesh-eating zombies roaming the neighbourhood, but are completely scared of the young openly lesbian couple who live next door. Therefore, the real fear that is 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 that this is a fear that still manifests in parts of the wider community and therefore a fear that many members of the GLBTIQ community might enjoy seeing satirised and made fun of in this film.

TP: In light of this, how important was the element of humour and song in telling this story? 

Rebecca:Absolutely crucial! I think that satire, and in this film the song is a large part of that satire, is one of the most powerful ways to communicate a message, because first and foremost it is entertaining, therefore people will watch it, and secondly because laughing at an issue or a person, or in the case of Cupcake, a fear, just totally undermines and neutralises that thing in a way that a more serious approach does not.

TP: How did the Tasmanian community embrace the filmmaking process?

Rebecca: The response before, during and after the making of this film from the Tasmanian community has been fantastic; partly I think because people just get very excited about the idea of filmmaking generally; partly, I have discovered, because many people harbour a secret desire to be a zombie; and partly because this film sounded so different and outrageous that it really captured peoples' interest and enthusiasm. We were very lucky to get some corporate support too, including $2,500 from Brenda from RE/MAX Properties who wins the prize for being the real estate agent with the best and darkest sense of humour in Tasmania!

TP: You come from a stage background, what was the transition like from stage
to film? What was the most confronting thing for you?

Anna: The difference between stage and screen is huge. In stage work there's that immediate gratification from the audience, and that adrenaline that comes from the 'live'-ness of what you're performing. The good thing about film, however, is that if you don't get it right the first time, you can re-take a scene. Also, there are visual effects possible that cannot be produced on stage.

The most confronting thing was the love scene. When I watched it on the film it seemed to go by in a flash, but I remember that day being very long, uncomfortable and sticky! There were also two ladies spending a lot of time sticking tubes to my nether regions for the blood spurting effect which was a little unusual, and of course, the muff eating.

TP: What was it about the story that drew you in?

Anna: With my background in musicals, the fact that it was a musical film was enough, the zombies an added bonus, and the lesbians just icing on the fabulous cake! The story has a lot of heart, and I think that there aren't enough films showing lesbian relationships. 'Cupcake' is a film that shows two women in a healthy, loving relationship (at least until the zombies come along) and that's one of the reasons I am passionate about this film. 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, so I related to the character of Billy in that sense.

TP: How did you become involved in Cupcake?

Rose: Our beautiful director Rebecca approached me and said that she had written a script for a film and she had me in mind for one of the lead roles. So, I read the script and was pleasantly surprised to discover its' queer edge, its' dangerous edge for li'l old Hobart. 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 at the Soho Hotel - ha! Who needs a casting agent.when you can sniff raw talent?

TP: For all the hilarity in the film, what do you think is the serious message behind it all?

Rose: 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!

TP: The cupcakes in this film are a little ‘representative’ i.e. they are basically iced vulvas. Have you eaten a cupcake since wrapping the film?

Rose: Yes! I ate my own, twice on opening night and they were so, so, so good! I only drive Vulvas.

Rebecca: Not only have I eaten a cupcake, but I have spent a whole day making about 150 yummy cupcakes decorated to look like vaginas (albeit, some rather demented and distorted vaginas!) for the premiere of the film.

For more about CupCake: A Zombie Lesbian Musical, including where to purchase your own copy, please visit http://www.zombielesbianmusical.com 

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