Talking The Weed Eaters with star Alice May Connolly

New Zealand stoner horror comedy The Weed Eaters focuses on four individuals who meet up in rural Canterbury in the country's South Island to celebrate New Year's Eve. But thanks to some strange goings-on, their party doesn't quite go the way they'd expect.

One of the film's stars, Alice May Connolly, spoke to us ahead of the film's country-wide release on April 30.

Firstly, having seen the film, we have to ask - are you ok? 

No, and thank you for asking! 

Where did the inspiration for this come from?

Callum Devlin has a history of getting too stoned and having panic attacks in movies. He wanted to make a stoner-friendly horror film, and I think he succeeded. We also took part in the 48 Hour Film Festival as a test - groups famously struggle to make a film in 48 hours, but we had a great time and nothing went wrong. We took that as a good sign to make a feature.

How did the story take shape?

Well, Callum had the initial bud of the idea - that there was a strain of weed that made you a cannibal - but we fleshed it out over a few weeks down in Kōwai Bush (where we shot the film). We'd just sit in the shed, around the fireplace and have big yarns about who the characters were and what they would get up to. I always laugh when I remember after the first week, we'd gotten a bit stuck, and then remembered we could actually make it a comedy. We were trying to be way too serious, which was a bit like shooting ourselves in the foot since we all work in comedy in one way or another. 

It's set in rural Canterbury on New Year's Eve - have there been any NYE events you've had an awful time at?

Once I brought in the New Year on Animal Crossing. Many people will think that is Loser behaviour, but for me it was actually really awesome. 

What was the best part of making the film?

Making a movie with my friends. Two of the coolest things in the world. Movies and friends. And getting to act in a lead role alongside my mates. Also just being out in Kōwai Bush, which is quite remote, away from the grind of the city and being surrounded by nature. Now we are on the other side of making the film and we get to show it to people, and people seem to be loving it. 

What was the hardest part of making it?

It's really hard to say, because since none of us had made a feature film before, all of it was hard, but at the same time no one knows what they don't know - so we were just learning learning learning, which is an awesome feeling. Of course every part of the process has its challenges - you can be tearing your hair out trying to work through something in the script that doesn't make sense, to having a location or an actor fall through and having to reschedule the next shoot day, to coming in over budget and having to figure out where you're going to get the money to finish the film, to then trying to get people to see the movie and come to the cinema.

If I'm being perfectly honest with you though, one of the hardest parts of making it for me was just having the confidence that I could, and that I was worthy to work with this particular group of artists. 

Much of the discussion's centred around the $19,000 budget - how hard is filmmaking on that level, and what decisions did you find the finances made you make?

Yeah, the budget for production was $19000, which mostly covered our rent, a few flights, and kept us fed. Filmmaking on this level is awesome if you are willing to triple-up on jobs and go without certain things. Like, get paid. A low budget means a small and nimble crew. We were able to shoot intuitively based on what was going on in location at the time, what the light was doing, or if a wild animal rocked up, we could just stop what we were doing and shoot it - which you don't get to do on bigger sets. 

However, we should add that the film looks and sounds so amazing because Causeway came on board and invested more money into the post-production. That is a part of filmmaking that you can't really skimp on and plays a huge part in how audiences experience the film. 

What's the moment you're proudest of and why?

Well, as well as playing Jules I was also head of catering, and I'm really proud that I came in under budget and we still ate really healthy, delicious (non-human) meals.

What would you say to those hesitating about seeing this?

Don't think about it, just see it! Who knows if and when this will be on streaming - this could be your one shot to see it. Bring a mate and treat yourself. You deserve it. 

When will we get a supplemental Weed Eaters tasting menu to go with the film? And what would be on the platter?

I'm sorry to break it to you, but we aren't actually cannibals. So no human I'm afraid. The platter would have to have a charcuterie selection of locally and ethically sourced products. At our first screening on the Big Forking Tour (a tour with Q&As for the film in April in New Zealand), Dariush Lolaiy from Cazador hosted our Q&A and he brought out vension blood on a cheese board for us to eat in front of everyone. It'd been mixed with cream and other yummy things and was delicious! So that would be on the platter. We are actually having a one-off dinner and a movie night with Cazador in Auckland because they are the best game restaurant in town. That'll be a really special night.