Cockneys vs Zombies premiere: On the red carpet

Cockneys vs Zombies is a new high-concept horror/comedy film written by James Moran (Severance) and Lucas Roche (who was previously an editor, but has recently turned his hand to writing), and directed by the relatively new to the scene Matthias Hoene. Despite its seemingly green production crew, it boasts a cast of both famous old hands – in the personage of the inimitable Alan Ford (Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) – and rising stars such as Michelle Ryan (Eastenders, FHM’s 21^st sexiest woman on the planet in 2004) and Harry Treadaway, who’s currently living in LA filming a series of movies and TV shows. 

Among the pushy photographers and clamouring reporters of the red carpet, The Upcoming managed to grab a few minutes of some of the Cockneys vs Zombies team’s time and ask a few questions – first along the media line came James Moran:

Hello James! Who were your inspirations for writing this film?

James Moran: Many really. John Carpenter, Spike Milligan, Douglas Adams…They give the silly edge to the humour in the film. But it was mostly comedy, horror and thriller type novels. In terms of film, I grew up on a steady diet of horror, things like Brain Dead  and Evil Dead 2. I love those half-funny, half-scary sort of films.

And who would you like to work with next? 

J:Well, ideally I’d really like to do some kind of action movie, working with Michelle Ryan again. I’d also really love to do a Bond movie at some point, though that seems unlikely…I do have another horror film, Terror Block,also being screened at Frightfest, and hopefully in the future I’ll get to work with film more and more.

So, important question: why cockneys?

J: Why not? (laughs) Well, we were talking with Matthias (director) when we first hatched the idea, and we had this image that if there was an outbreak in the East End, it would just be over before anybody even knew about it. All the old geezers in the pub, putting down their glasses, picking up the pool cues, dealing with the problem outside and back inside for another round before anyone had even noticed.

Shortly after James had left, a whisper went around the crowd of gathered photographers: “Someone’s coming, someone’s coming!” Cameras came up in the air, and a second later Alan Ford himself was stood on the red carpet, arms outstretched as if to say “not to worry, I’m here”. We managed to catch a few words with him before the PR ladies ushered him along into the screening:

What advice would you give to young, aspiring actors?

Alan Ford: (as if there’s no such thing) Aspiring actors? 

Yes, you know, young people who want to make it in the industry…?

A: Get into drama school. It’s not the definitive way in, but if you want to learn to act, you want to get in there and learn and practise your craft. Also, do a lot of theatre!

What about the film? Being set in London, was the subject matter quite close to your heart? Did you enjoy the whole “zombie” thing?

A: Oh, yeah, it was wonderful that it was set in London. It’s just great fun; it’s a great setting and I think it adds something different you don’t get from other movies.

Alright then, and one final question: we’re in a zombie apocalypse. Choose your weapon.

A: It would have to be an M16. With a grenade launcher attached. Great weapon.

And that was it. As quickly as they arrived, they were whisked away into the auditorium, leaving the media to make their notes and go through their photographs before the next lot arrived. We wish them the best of luck for tonight’s screening and their continuing careers in the film industry. 

Orestes Daniel Kouzof

Photos: Sherinne Abdou

For more information on Film4’s Frightfest and Cockneys vs Zombies, click here.

Cockneys vs Zombies is released on 31^st August 2012.

Watch the trailer for Cockneys vs Zombies here