Howling with laughter at What We Do In The Shadows

Before I turn my attention to the recent Telstra Perth Fashion Festival (TPFF) there’s a movie I’ve been ‘dying’ (queue spooky music) to tell you about. Given that it features some suitably dandy vampires it’s a perfect precursor to the fashion posts, though sadly for some, the TPFF posts will contain significantly less blood. Mind you I didn’t go back stage so who knows.



© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

Because of the success of this movie and my tardy posting, you’ll probably already know the premise.  What We Do In The Shadowsis the story of three vampires living in modern day Wellington.

In true Big Brother style the flatmates invite a film crew into their home (promising not to eat them), to document what their lives are really like, as they prepare for the annual Unholy Masquerade Ball.  



© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

 Our tour guide is the loveable, softly spoken dandy vampire Viago (Taika Waititi)



© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

Who introduces us to the self titled ‘sexy’ vampire Deacon (Jonny Brugh)



© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

and for a moment we walk in on the lust-worthy bad boy Vladislav (Jemaine Clement).



© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

For the fashion conscious readers there are long black coats, waistcoats, cravats, knee-high boots, top hats, lots of ruffles and puffy shirts. Enough to inspire any young designer not already privy to the Spandau Ballet New Romantics era.


© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

‘Who’s going to clean up these bloody dishes.’


© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

When their 8000 year old room mate Petyr (Ben Fransham) turns a young human Nick, (Cori Gonzalez-Maucer) into a vampire we get to watch on as they teach him Vampire 101, and in return he introduces them to the internet and social media. 



Petyr © Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV



© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

In all my pondering days I can honestly say I’ve never considered that one. 



© Shadow Pictures Ltd MMXIV

1. Amazingly the movie was shot in 5 weeks and was entirely improvised around a script that Waititi and Clements had written but not shown the cast.
2. There is a lot of blood, well lots of red watery stuff, but the sheer volume is soon so ridiculous it looses any sense of gore.
3. I could tell you how it finishes but I can’t remember it because I stayed to the end of the credits and so should you to find out what happens.
4. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea I wouldn’t be surprised if this hilarious, largely improvised mockumentary hits cult movie status pretty soon, if it hasn’t already.
5. I can see midnight screenings with dressed up audiences … the Rocky Horror of this generation.
6. I’m already thinking of booking it for Halloween, if it’s on DVD by then. 
7. The movie also has a great interactive marketing strategy that others could learn from.
8. Hilarious (those who’ve seen the poster will appreciate this).