Q and A with Tarek McCarthy
“PURGATORY”
Short Film – TRT: 15:21 – Horror/Drama
IFQ: What is “PURGATORY”?
Tarek McCarthy: Purgatory is a short film that revolves around Dave, a serial killer, who discusses his nature. While reflecting upon his sins, he seems to relish in the beauty of his control over life and death. Adding to this chilling scenario is the horror experienced by his still living captive, who is witness to his confession. IFQ: Why did you choose the title Purgatory for your film?
Tarek McCarthy: Well, it just seemed fitting. By definition Purgatory is: a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven. Purgatory encapsulates that concept in many ways. I think that viewers will see the main character, Dave, as well as his captive in a type of Purgatory. I think it describes the nature of the film very well.
IFQ: What was your inspiration to make Purgatory?
Tarek McCarthy: A feature film script that I wrote called “Fall From Grace”, that is receiving some attention inspired me to make Purgatory. Purgatory the short film is an adaptation of the script Fall From Grace.
IFQ: Since it was the catalyst for Purgatory, can you tell us a bit about Fall From Grace?
Tarek McCarthy: Without giving away too much: Taking place in the mid 90s, the story revolves around a serial killer, Dave, and a priest that he kidnaps. Dave is tortured by a lost love, and the small semblance of a normal life that he had in his past. As you’ll see in Purgatory, Dave isn’t your average serial killer. While he identifies very strongly with his “killer’s nature”, he also has a great appreciation for the beauties in the simplicities in life. Love being the key element…
IFQ: What did you want to achieve with the making of Purgatory?
Tarek McCarthy: My main goal with Purgatory was to bring to life the diverse character, Dave, which dwells within the pages of Fall From Grace. While doing so my desire was to shed light on the potential of the feature film. Also, I felt a great need to exercise one of my core beliefs regarding filmmaking: That regardless of budgetary resources, a filmmaker can tell a compelling story using the tools that he or she has at their disposal.
IFQ: What tools were at your disposal? Tarek McCarthy: In my case, it was my film gear and editing suites for the technical side of the production.
IFQ: So you had all of your own gear. Did you set up and operate it all on your own?
Tarek McCarthy: Yes… I wanted to do it all on my own. The only element of value that was spent during the production was my time.
IFQ: What were your options as far as acting talent? Tarek McCarthy: As far as actors go? I played two of the three roles: the witness and the serial killer, Dave. My wife, Iya, played the role of the captive.
IFQ: Can you tell us about the experience of working with your wife in such an extraordinary way?
Tarek McCarthy: Having my beloved wife playing the role of the captive was extremely difficult for me. IFQ: Can you elaborate on that?
Tarek McCarthy: The film has some very disturbing elements to it regarding the interactions between the serial killer and the captive. I think it was most difficult for me in postproduction. Iya was so convincing in her performance that I actually felt ill several times during the editing process. So much so, that I really had second thoughts regarding the release of the film.
IFQ: Was it difficult for you to play a serial killer?
Tarek McCarthy: It was difficult in the sense that; adopting that type of mindset and detachment in order to be Dave, was disturbing to me. The characteristics of a serial killer are what I’m most referring too. Establishing a common ground between myself and that character was necessary to play the part, however it wasn’t comfortable.
IFQ: Did you do any research for the part of Dave?
Tarek McCarthy: Yes! Probably too much… The character development for Dave the serial killer was a very interesting and important task that I really buried myself in for this film. I’ve always been fascinated with true crime so I really pulled on a lot of the research that I did while writing Fall From Grace. Interviews that I found on and off camera with real life monsters such as Richard Kuklinski, AKA “The Ice Man”, really helped me find a reference point to draw from when putting myself into a dark place to play the part of Dave.
IFQ: Did you have any prior acting experience before Purgatory?
Tarek McCarthy: Yes. I actually have a very diverse background in film. Over the years I’ve been involved with acting and modeling.
IFQ: Did you have any formal training?
Tarek McCarthy: Yes… In my teens I studied under an acting coach named Gary Spatz. He has gone on to do some amazing things. As he was a phenomenal teacher I’m not surprised at all.
IFQ: Where did you learn the technical aspects of filmmaking?
Tarek McCarthy: Subsequently I followed my ambitions of working behind the camera in addition to being in front of it. So I earned my degree in film and spent the past 10 years directing, producing, editing, and filming for entities such as the Discovery Channel as well as independents. However no matter what, my main drive has always been to make an amazing feature with depth and spirit. Purgatory seems to be opening the gates to such an endeavor.
IFQ: Do you feel that you’ve accomplished what you set out to when you first began writing Purgatory?
Tarek McCarthy: Yes I do feel that I met my goals regarding the film. It truly was an amazing experience for me putting Purgatory together. It was pretty much a one-man show from start to finish. I wanted to completely rely on myself throughout this largely dialog driven piece. The film was shot in only two days, however postproduction was where it became a bit time consuming. As part of the premise of Purgatory is that the film itself is salvaged, I spent a large portion of my time destroying the pristine video, audio, and lighting that I took great pains to capture.
IFQ: How would you describe the reception of the public to a film such as Purgatory?
Tarek McCarthy: The response to the film has been great. As I said I was apprehensive about its release because of its rugged nature. However, people from all backgrounds and walks of life have given me absolutely wonderful compliments on the piece. I’ve actually landed several acting roles from my performance in the film. Purgatory has also been accepted at Cannes International Film Festival for this May 2011.
Website: www.innervoiceimages.com
Credits: Director: Tarek McCarthy Director of Photography: Tarek McCarthy Producer: Tarek McCarthy Editor: Tarek McCarthy Writer: Tarek McCarthy Cast: Dave: Tarek McCarthy Captive Woman: Iya McCarthy Witness: Tarek McCarthy