EP#205 Andy Mitton

Kevin Lane's Spill Your Guts

Many horror fans have been known to describe one of their favourite movies as “underrated”. Typically, it describes a movie that took time to find an audience, was well received by audience and/or critics but didn’t find financial success or were under-seen because of a bungled release by the studio or distributor.

Films like “John Carpenter’s “The Thing”, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”, “The Exorcist 3”, “The Frighteners” and “TrickRTreat”. All examples of films that didn’t perform when they were first released but found a following over time. Primarily for the simple reason that they are all damn good movies that deserved better.

Let’s add another under-seen gem to the list of greats that deserve more attention than they got.

Released in 2010, “YellowBrickRoad” is a nightmare inducing, reality shattering descent into madness. Part “Blair Witch”, part “Wizard of Oz” … all relentlessly terrifying. Written and directed by team Andy Mitton and Jesse Holland, the film came out to strong reactions from audiences and most critics but despite a theatrical release, came and went with little fanfare.

And yet, as more and more people stumbled upon it over time and word of mouth spread among genre fans, the film has continued to receive a much-deserved re-evaluation. Much like the titular path in the film, this movie has many dark secrets that once unearthed, are impossible to forget.

Our guest in this episode is filmmaker Andy Mitton.

Andy discusses his background in theatre growing up in Massachusetts, the way his love of horror and theatre found a natural rhythm, why often times a genre filmmakers influences aren’t necessarily horror films (a reoccurring theme for SYG listeners) and his haunting new Pandemic horror film “The Harbinger”.

Andy is a visionary filmmaker with a tremendous eye for detail and a finely tuned skilled for finding the truth in his characters and the actors portraying them. That’s one of the things that gives Andy’s work such resonance. Characters in his films never do what the plot requires of them and you will not find yourself yelling at the screen over their idiotic decision making.

It’s clear that Andy loves and respects his audience and the stories he is telling.

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