Unrestricted Views from Michael Melski writer and director of The Child Remains

The amazing Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival is back for its second year, running from the 30th October to the 5th November, and so is our Unrestricted Views bringing you an insight to the people behind the fantastic fright fest of films on show.

Below we talk to Michael Melski writer and director of The Child Remains which gets its UK premiere on the 2nd of November at 9pm. Get your tickets HERE

Love Horror: Tell us about your film?
Michael Melski: Hello Love Horror! My film is called THE CHILD REMAINS and it’s about an expectant couple whose intimate country weekend turns to terror when they discover their secluded inn is a haunted maternity home where unwanted infants and mothers were murdered. Inspired by the true horrific story of the infamous ‘Butterbox Babies’ and their macabre chapter in Canadian history. Similar macabre incidents have recently been unearthed in the UK at a children’s home in Tuam, County Galway and recently in Scotland at Smyllum Park Orphanage in Scotland.

Love Horror: How did you get into making horror movies?
Michael Melski: My late father was a movie buff, and he loved the genre. I remember we had one of the 1st VCRS on my small island in Canada in the mid-80’s. There wasn’t even a video rental shop yet where we lived so our rented films had to be shipped five hours by bus from the city. One of the first packages that arrived was a double-bill of William Wyler’s Ben Hur and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre by the late Tobe Hooper. We watched them back to back. My father taught me that great story-telling is great story-telling no matter what genre. And so his love for scary movies passed on to me with all else!

Love Horror: What is your view on horror in 2017 and how would you change it?
Michael Melski: Well, THE CHILD REMAINS is a twisting supernatural thriller that emphasizes story and suspense over shock and gore. A tribute to great atmospheric horror before the jump-scare cliche, such as The Shining, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Orphanage. So I’m trying to be part of the vector of change moving back to story and character-driven horror. Very encouraged by the recent successes of Get Out and IT, as well as The Witch, so it seems audiences are getting bored with the Hollywood ‘jump formula’ as well.

Love Horror: What is your favourite horror film and why?
Michael Melski: Ha ha that is too hard a question! If I had to be pinned down, I’d have to say The Shining and The Exorcist in a bloody tie.

Love Horror: If Hollywood came knocking and gave you anything you wanted what movie would you make and who would it star?
Michael Melski: Is anyone making a horror movie about Harvey Weinstein starring Harvey himself yet? I have many new projects in the works, too early to talk about but I’d love to work with Jessica Chastain on something. I think she’s amazing and this generation’s Jane Fonda. A smart heroine for a changing world that needs to change more.

The Child Remains gets its UK premiere on the 2nd of November at 9pm.
Read about the Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival and buy tickets at www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/

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Alex Humphrey

Alex studied film at the University of Kent and went on to work for Universal Pictures in their Post Room gaining an inside look at the movie industry from the very bottom. Constantly writing reviews in everything from local magazines to Hip Hop sites Alex honed his critical skills even spending a brief period as a restaurant critic. Read more

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