Director talks The 4th Reich’s Nazis and zombies

Coming off of a critically acclaimed short film called The Soldier, young writer/director Shaun Robert Smith is gearing up for his first feature length film, The 4th Reich. The film centers on a little after D-Day, when the armies of the combined Allied Forces begin their long push to Berlin with the aim of bringing down Hitler. But buried deep in secret files of the German Reichstag, is the chilling reality of Hitler’s plan to create an eternal living hell, The 4th Reich.

Killer Film catches up with Shaun Robert Smith as he is gearing up to shoot the film in the coming days, as we talk about the film, the sub-genre, and 3D.

Jon Peters: The 4th Reich‘s inception began through a few short films you have done dealing with war and horror. What’s the fascination with WWII to you and what has your opinion been on previous Nazi zombie movies?

Shaun Robert Smith: I have always been fascinated with war and horror, it seemed natural to bring the two together. The previous Nazi Zombie films didn’t explore the full potential, secrets buried for years set in the present and as such, the budget is usually the reason for this – with The 4th Reich we have a decent budget. It’s all set in 1944 making it a period piece, instantly you have a situation – the horrors of war. I have enjoyed all the other films of this sub-genre, I respect anyone who can get a film financed and made – it’s tough!

Jon: Has the successes of Dead Snow and Ingloruious Basterds? hinder or help finding funding of The 4th Reich?

Smith: This sub-genre has grown rapidly, bigger budgeted film like Zombieland and Inglorious Basterds have all contributed to the sub-genre’s ascent into the mainstream audience. Each film of this sub-genre has its own merits and not trying to duplicate each other. Whilst both films have proven that there is an appetite with the cinema going public for this genre there are key differences between them and T4R. We have been compared to Call of Duty: Nazi Zombies, and Wolfenstein, which of course are video games but it identifies one of our target audiences – T4R will have its very own survival horror video game.

Jon: How has the UK genre film changed in recent years?

Smith: We have seen an influx of British filmmakers in the last decade, unfortunately there is not enough support for new talent. The recent news of the UK Film Council abolishment won’t faze most Brit filmmakers because the UKFC had their select few whom they supported. A film like T4R would never be considered by UKFC.

Jon: : The film certainly sounds like it could be either a psychologically disturbing film or it could be an all out horror flick. Can you explain the tone of the film and what fans can expect?

Smith: It’s a psychologically disturbing all out horror flick!!! From the very beginning I wanted to make a war film with elements of horror, full orchestral score, traditional gutsy prosthetics and minimal VFX. A chance to really produce something different and unique – On paper it is a Nazi Undead film, but something not seen before, a clever tale that will keep audiences guessing the whole way through.

Jon: The film got Director of Photography Peter Hannan. What will he bring to the project from his previous films that attracted him to you for the project?

Smith: We needed someone with enough experience to realize my vision, Peter Hannan is a true inspiration to us all. I met with Peter and I expected him to force his experience and knowledge on me – being a first time director – people can take advantage but my team are supporting my vision and we’re all on the exact same page. Peter is a phenomenal DP and he will bring the atmosphere needed to T4R, intense and mystifying.

Jon: You’re shooting the film in Poland and the Ukraine. Was this for budget reasoning’s and/or because the script called for what those countries provide in their terrain?

Smith: There are advantages to shooting in Eastern Europe, budget is one, but this is not the sole reason we are shooting out there, the locations are breath taking – We hope to open up Ukraine to more filmmakers.

Jon: Some of the  casting choices will turn heads, like Jason Flemyng (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Tom Savini (Machete), Doug Bradley (Hellraiser series), and Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers). Can you explain casting for the film and the intent of the choices and why these fine actors were chosen for the film?

Smith: They will certainly turn heads, I always wanted to cast T4R myself with the help and power of casting director Jeremy Zimmerman. Sean Pertwee’s character – Captain Bathurst – was written with him in mind, because Bathurst is far away from anything Sean has done before. Doug, Tom and Simon were obvious choices to play Nazi’s, I had jokingly offered a part to Tom back in ’98 when I was attended ‘The Tom Savini Lecture’ (I was an avid fan and wannabe FX Artist). The script was completely different back then, it was called AWOL to Horror and my student film. Same structure, but set in Vietnam!

Obviously over the years it has evolved into T4R. Actors like Jason Flemyng choose their roles on pure fun and quality factor, instead of size of the role and dosh, etc. We are still yet to announce our two lead actors.

Jon: Will it be shot in 3D or post-conversion? When did it come about that you wanted to shoot the film in 3D?

Smith: When we started this project 3D was just dawning, but over the past year it has become a gimmick, every other film is 3D, and we’re not interested in that. We have not made a decision not to, but I don’t want to be pushed onto the ‘bandwagon’. We genuinely wanted to add value to the project, not to deflect from the story. 3D would take a large chunk of budget, we need every penny on the screen – the jury is still out on T4R in 3D.

Jon: Why has the Nazi become the ultimate villain for movies and do you see them ever fading from that top spot?

Smith: We need to be reminded of the true horrors of the Nazi’s. They will always be regurgitated in films for this reason. The Nazi’s committed some of the most horrific atrocities the world has ever seen. These cannot be forgotten. With T4R I intend to bring a serious history lesson. I was shocked when a younger family member told me he’d never heard of the holocaust or Nazi’s – I do not intend to glorify or poke fun at the war, we are making a serious horror film with historical references, out story is based on true facts and that’s what is truly scary, we have just exaggerated the truth.

The 4th Reich is aiming for a late Spring 2011 release date. Keep it here at Killer Film for more on this film and the eventual review! You can flow the film on Facebook here, Myspace here, and its official site here!