Tuesday, May 31, 2011

What DVD? The Dead Hooker DVD!


Last Monday, May the 23rd, 2011 - something incredible happened. Our film, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, was released in the UK and Australia by the wonderful team at Bounty Films.


The first stock at Amazon UK sold out that day - they have since restocked because Amazon is rad like that. In addition to the release, we have had the brilliant Steve Hill getting us in touch with cool folks to talk horror, hooker, and all things twisted with. One particular very lovely gentleman was Darren Jamieson of WhatDVD.net.


How did you go about raising finance for the film?

Sylvia: We didn’t. We have been huge Robert Rodriguez fans for years – not only do we love his films, we love his ten minute film schools where he explains how to independently and modestly make some very cool looking tricks. He accounted his first feature filmmaking experience in REBEL WITHOUT A CREW which followed him from donating his body to science to raise seven grand to make EL MARIACHI. It really hit home with us that you can make a good film with a humble budget and that’s what we did.

A lot of that was possible because of our team. There was a writer’s strike at the time that freed up everyone’s schedules. We were able to get the best in the business coming out, donating their time to make a great project. We were very lucky.


Jen: What we did have to pay for ended up maxing out our credit cards. We had about a few between the two of us and every time we ended up with an expense that needed to be paid for, we charged it. That was for costumes, prosthetics, equipment rentals, and food for the actors. Almost everything, including the cast and crew’s time was donated to the production. We got a team together of people who love filmmaking and are passionate about it. It was amazing to have so many talented local artists coming together to bring DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK to life.

At the end of it, the real expenses came from taking so much time off and not having an income to pay for basic necessities. Our parents, Agnes and Marius Soska, and our producers, MaryAnn Van Graven and Donald Charge, knew the situation we put ourselves in and gave us the money we needed to be able to finish the film in post and get it out there. It was so kind and generous of them. We’ll never forget that kindness
.



We had an amazing time talking with Darren who is a fellow filmmaker and has his own share of interesting experiences from making his own projects. Please click here to read the whole interview as we talk about how we the film actually got made, various challenges from highly ambitious concepts to very modest budgeting to bring said concepts to life. It's a very film-minded chat and if you are thinking of making your own indie (and we hope you do!) this piece will give you our take on how it went for us on this project.


I would like to thank Darren for taking the time to chat, Steve for being rad and setting everything up, and you - the one reading this - for checking out the site, our work, and for the support. You make this all possible and we really appreciate the kindness!

~Sylv

Friday, May 27, 2011

Something Exciting is Happening at Industry Works!


If you click here, you will be taken to the below image page.



This is Industry Works' page for our upcoming feature AMERICAN MARY, and we couldn't be more excited to share this new flick with you! Be sure to check in at abstrakt.me for updates as the film develops.

~Sylv

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Canadian Grindhouse Hits The Texas Theater!


From the coasts of the Great White North comes two of the greatest exploitation films made in recent history! From the west coast the Soska Twins bring us DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK and from the east coast Jason Eisener brings HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN.

And only, in Dallas, Texas at The Texas Theatre can you see them both at the DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK AND HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN DOUBLE FEATURE!

Come dressed as a hooker or a hobo for a chance to win one of many prizes to be presented by DOA Blood Bath Entertainment!


This coming Monday, May the 30th, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK will be playing at the incredible Texas Theater in a double feature billing with Canadian grindhouse gory masterpiece, HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN. How is this possible? Andrew Rose and DOA Bloodbath Entertainment have made it so - that's right, the man who also premiered DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK originally in the US is also the man behind the double billing.


If it hadn't been for the amazing collaborative, GRINDHOUSE, our film would have never came into existence the way that it did. Having a Canadian filmmaker as a part of the fake trailer team really hit home the old Rodriguez wisdom of making your own film your own way. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be screening with Jason Eisener's great film.


If you can make it out, promote the event, or have friends in town that would dig - please help get the word out. It's going to be a hell of a show and you don't get too many of these double features anymore.

It will be the perfect date night. Guaranteed.

~Sylv

No, It Ain't 1994



And now for a break from horror and film...

Now, for something completely different.

I am proudly Canadian. When we hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, my heart swelled with Patriotic Pride, something usually understated in us humble Canucks. When Canadian treasure, Sidney Crosby, scored that historical goal, I went out and gave complete strangers high fives and joyous screams, much like every other Canadian world wide. It was like world peace. Anyone who was there will tell you the same.

And now something incredible is happening in Vancouver again.

If anything is taken as an absolute truth about Canadians it is this: We love our hockey. The Vancouver Canucks are my team. I first fell in love with them as a little girl in 1994. This was the year that the had come the closet in history to winning the Stanley Cup. That year, we lost to the NY Rangers. It broke a lot of hearts. We have never since that day made it back to the final round of the playoffs.

Until now.

With a double over time goal, Kevin Bieksa made a city erupt with excitement. The Canucks will be playing for the Stanley Cup this coming week.
Will we play Tampa Bay? Or will it be Boston? We don't know as both teams advance to game seven. One thing is for sure. We have never won the Cup before. We haven't been this close in over 15 years. And the Canucks want it baaaad.

Sylv and I made some pretty bold statements at the start of the season. As you may be able to guess, we adore the Sedins. Sylvia's man is Henrik and mine is Daniel. I said that Daniel will get the Hart Trophy this season and would've gotten it last year were it not for his injury. I also said that Daniel will have more points at the end of this season than Henrik had last season. As bold as those statements were, Sylvia blew mine away.

She said that Henrik as Captain will lead the Canucks to win the Cup.

I said, "yeah, fuckin' rights. You're on, sis."

And now here we are. Daniel looks like the favorite to get the Hart this year and he damn well deserves it. And the Canucks are going to the playoffs. From underdogs to the favorites to win? Oh, hells yeah.

I love the Canucks. This is our year. And here's a little battle song for our boys.



Enjoy and GO CANUCKS GO!!!!!!!

XO,
Jen


Australia DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK Menu Art

A first look, boys and grrls.

Please enjoy. First time "chapters" revealed.



Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Australian Release Dead Hooker In A Trunk Artwork

It's a beautiful day waking up in a world where Dead Hooker In A Trunk has been released in both the UK and Australia.

For your viewing pleasure, here's what the Dead Hooker Down Under looks like. Mmm-hmmm, that's some fine ass Dead Hooker ;)


A very special thanks to Industry Works, Bounty Films, CJ Wallis, our wonderful cast and crew, everyone who's supported this demented little flick, and, of course, to all you gore~gasmic individuals who went out and grabbed yourselves a copy.

Thank you from the very bottoms of our Twisted little hearts.

Bloody Best!
Jen

HOOKER Sold Out in One Day at Amazon UK


"Holy $#!T Amazon UK just messaged me that Dead Hooker in a Trunk sold out! So I'll be getting it on the 13th! This is the first time I am ever happy to hear something is on back order. Gratulálok hölgyeim, sok szeretetet és boldogságot az Ön számára is!"


This is why I love living in a technological age. I read a tweet the morning that our film - DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK - sold to the fabulous folks at Bounty Films. The same folks that released the film yesterday to the United Kingdom and Australia and we couldn't be more stoked. We received the above message later that evening that the supply that Amazon UK had of the film was sold out that day.


I've received notice that there is a new supply and everyone who hasn't ordered can still get their HOOKERs, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, boys and girls, for making this film and this release such a success.

This is a testament to the horror community and what your support has made happen. We were hoping that people would want to buy the film, we never expected this huge honor of having so many units purchased on its release.



Thank you to each and every person who talked about this film, shared it with a friend, promoted it, took the time to check it out, and those who decided they wanted to take that indie flick home with them.

You guys are so fucking cool - thank you very humbly.

~Sylv

Monday, May 23, 2011

Dead Hooker in a Trunk Released Today in the UK and Australia!



Today is a huge day for us as Bounty Films releases DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK everywhere in the UK and Australia.


The DVD includes a Behind the Scenes Making of documentary, deleted scenes, directors and technical commentaries, and an interview on indie filmmaker with Carlos Gallardo.

Buy it now here and have a DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK of your very own!

"Do you remember the always fun classic movies, movies back when movies were cool, that involved a group of people, often friends, who are suddenly, and unwillingly, thrust into a dangerous situation, forced to either deal with what's landed on their proverbial laps, or face the consequences of their failure to act swiftly? These sort of films have always been a favorite of mine and Dead Hooker In A Trunk has brought back those kind of movies that have meant so much to me throughout my life as a fan of the cinema."-Scott Ruth, D'ment'd Cinema


There are few words to describe accurately the swelling of pride and humble gratitude that this film stirs in us. Firstly, the team who came together to make the film without ever wanting anything in return than to make a great project. There would be no film without your tireless dedication and creative drive - you gave us the best experience of our lives in the creation of this film and the film itself is proof of the immeasurable talent that exists in the Canadian film community.

Dawn Duffy, John Tench, Tasha Moth, Stacy Mitchell, John Seed
Raymond Chan, Mary Ann Van Graven
CJ WallisMaja Stace-Smith, Loyd Bateman, Trevor Addie, Sylvia Soska, Jen SoskaDavid Barkes, Joel McGowanRikki Gagne, John J GulayetsSylvia Soska, Jen Soska, James Bell

“Watching Dead Hooker in a Trunk is like having the best bare backing sex of your life while hopped up on junk with a fugly prostitute in a seedy motel room on the wrong side of town.”
TWITCH Film




"Every once in awhile a film comes out of left field that is such a innovation in film making that within moments of starting it you just know that you are witnessing something important that will one day become a cult classic that other aspiring film makers will look to for inspiration. This is exactly the sort of film Dead Hooker in a Trunk is and the twisted twins Jen and Sylvia Soska are destined to become a part of the next generation of iconic horror writers and directors." - Ted Brown, Bloody Disgusting


This wouldn't be happening without the wonderful teams at Industry Works and Bounty Films who believed in this project and loved it for everything it is - complete insanity and a love letter to the grindhouse indie spirit of filmmaking. Evan, Kathryn, Hannah, Cathee, and Tom - you put faith in us, you worked your asses off to get the film out there, and now you are giving us the opportunity to continue creating with AMERICAN MARY. It never feels like work when collaborating with the professionals at Industry Works - you are our extended family and we love you. Ben Hellwig, I can't wait to meet you in person, sir. You are a fucking rockstar of awesome. Steve Hill, thank you for orchestrating the press to let people know about us and the film - you have been brilliant. Thank you to the entire team at Bounty Films who have done a remarkable job getting DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK out there for the public. Jen and I will never forget this day.






"Sometimes the truly creative hand us a movie whose title packs as much punch as the movie itself, luring us in and giving us not only what title promises, but more coolness to spare. Hot Tub Time Machine, Killer Klowns from Outer Space and Natural Born Killers spring to mind. In 2009 Jen and Sylvia Soska- two Vancouver film school drop-outs- wrote, produced, directed and acted in their own hometown horror-comedy, Dead Hooker in a Trunk, and the fruit of their labors is every bit one of those aforementioned pictures.

They delivered on the title, albeit without the putrefaction we so loved from the dead hooker in the mattress in Robert Rodriguez's "Misbehavers" short (from the anthology Four Rooms), and they yielded a 92-minute hodge-podge of heightened gore, deadpan gags and solid, admirably rough-and-tumble female leads with lines like, 'You think dying's gonna kill me?'"
- Bob Freville, Kotori Magazine

Last February, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK had its first screening at the Ghouls on Film Festival in Birmingham, UK thanks to Nia Edwards-Behi. The UK love didn't stop there as we were invited back to the Abertoir Film Festival - thank you kindly to Gareth 'Gaz' Bailey for the honor - and then the Jennifer's Bodies Film Festival - thank you to the wonderful Jennifer Cooper who we completely adore. Even the fabulous Grimm Up North Film Festival showed a little HOOKER to their audiences. This isn't a usual story - none of this would have happened had people not banded together to support our work and the film.


This is just as much a special day for the horror community that demanded that the film get out there and be seen as it is for us. There is nothing that a group of dedicated people cannot do. You made this release happen. We promise to keep working hard to make work that is twisted and enjoyable for many years to come - each project a thank you to the people who made our greatest ambitions come true.


Please enjoy the film, let us know what you think. We are working away on the new film, AMERICAN MARY, which we can't hardly wait to share with you.


As for the rest of the world release news for DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK - we have something very special in store to reveal very shortly.

Thank you most kindly, girls and boys.
Jen and Sylv

Friday, May 20, 2011

Total Film gets totally titillated over Dead Hooker In A Trunk


Please meet Sam Ashurst of Total Film. An excellent writer, reviewer, aka the man, but allow this wizard with words to introduce himself...

"Hello fright fans, my name's Sam Ashurst and I'm Total Film's resident cult horror expert. I spend so much time banging on about '70s giallo movies, '80s VHS trash classics, '90s serial killer flicks and '00s foreign chillers that TF have finally decided to give me my own column. Possibly to shut me up.

Each week, I'll be dissecting the latest DVD and Blu-ray releases, uncovering hidden gore gems, and rummaging through my VHS collection to bring you some of the most bafflingly beautiful video covers from the '80s.

And come back every Friday for exclusive clips, interviews and cool competitions to get your plasma pumping.

So, take off your razor-tipped gloves, hang up your cobweb-covered hat and gently rest your bone-blunted axe beside the door.

And welcome to my House Of Horror..."

On the new release hit list this week? The Bird With The Crystal Plumage, Who Can Kill A Child, Queens Of Evil, C.H.U.D, and.... *insert cliche drum roll* ....DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. If you're anyone who's anyone, you know that DHIAT will be released this Monday, May 23rd in the UK and Australia. You know what that means? Yep, time to move.

"Honestly, this thing is packed with cool moments. They might not always be completely cohesive, but grindhouse geeks are used to that.

If you want a nuanced plot, watch Chinatown. If you want a thrill-ride that'll occasionally make you spit-take your popcorn and Coke, watch Dead Hooker In A Trunk." ~ Sam Ashurst, Total Film

Let's just say it is a positively glowing review that you'll certainly want to snap right up and, please, I hope you do.

Check out the FULL DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK REVIEW right HERE!!


And the VERY best part of NEW RELEASES? The whole new and releasing bit. So, please. Grab yourself a DEAD HOOKER of your very own.

Bloody Best!
Jen


Twisted Twins Interview with The Irish Times


This Monday something wonderful is happening.

After years of working on our debut feature, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, this fateful day has at long last arrived. It all started as a ridiculous title which quickly became an equally ridiculous film. From there, the challenge was on to share that film with as many people as possible which is no small feat when you are a couple of virtually unknown filmmakers. We got a huge break last year when the film had its world debut screening in the United Kingdom during the first ever Women In Horror recognition month. Nia Edwards-Behi warmly welcomed our DEAD HOOKER to her Ghouls On Film Festival.

Now, the film is returning to the United Kingdom. No, not just for a visit. She's being released across the beautiful UK (and Australia) on the 23rd. We could not be happier to have our film being released in the place to first welcome her in. They have supported the film and us from the very beginning so this release could not be more fitting.

With the release a hop, skip, and a jump away we were very happy to get the opportunity to speak with the wonderful Tara Brady of the Irish Times.

"Welcome to the bloody-minded world of identical twin Canadian film-makers Jen and Sylvia Soska, whose debut feature, the delightfully named no-fi grindhouse joy Dead Hooker in a Trunk – 'it’s like Tarantino or Rodriguez remade Weekend at Bernie’s' – is getting them noticed in all the right places." ~ Tara Brady, The Irish Times

But that's just a lil' snippet. Talking with Tara was an absolute pleasure. And the lady's even got a pair o' twinnies herself. Lucky twins.

What did we chat about? Horror movies, what got us into horror, Dead Hooker In A Trunk, American Mary, Lars Von Trier, religion, tarantulas, and much more.

For the FULL interview, enjoy the full article RIGHT HERE!

And do treat yourselves to a DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK this Monday!

Thank you so much to Tara Brady for taking the time to chat with us. It was an absolute pleasure and we look very forward to talking more in the future and meeting in the flesh.

Bloody Best!
Jen

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Tony Pulp Spends Quality Time With Our Dead Hooker In A Trunk

"I just found the perfect word to describe this movie: COOL. It's just cool, from start to finish and never letting that down. Let me quote something 'Hey there you bitches, who wants a piece of me? Or are you all to busy sucking cock, or rather fantasizing about cock to suck in the future or past cock sucking experiences?' Damn girl, you are way to cool to go out in public! Have some sympathy." ~ Tony Pulp

Aw, shucks, darlin'! You sure know the way to a Twisted Twins' heart.

From the very beginning of this whole, bloody affair, we had two humble desires. One, to make a film that was pure enjoyment for our audiences. And, two? To share that film with as many people as possible. With the film set to be released in the UK and Australia on May 23rd (that's a mere 4 DAYS AWAY!!) we can happily say that we will indeed be sharing our beloved DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK with quite a poop load of lucky lads and lasses.
To receive a review as gore~geous as this from the ever so lovely Tony Pulp just makes me giddy with antici.......................pation.

But don't take it from little ol' me. Check out the FULL radcore review right HERE!!

And a very special thanks to Tony Pulp. We think your pretty darn cool yourself, my dear.

XO,
Jen

Film Shaft Reviews Dead Hooker In A Trunk


Now, I will attempt to mind my manners despite the overwhelming amount of clever and chalk-full-of-cheeky potential titles I could have given this blog based on the review site's name. Film Shaft.

*giggle*

Okay, now that THAT's out of my system... Film Shaft has gotten their paws on our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. As you likely know by now, the film is going to be released in the UK and Australia in just FOUR DAYS. Yes, on May 23rd, you lucky, international darlings can drag your very own DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK back to your home and proudly display her in your living rooms. What a wonderful time to be alive, huh?

With the release quickly approaching, the completed film, abundant with extras, special features, and goodies galore is available for review. And one of our very first comes from Martyn Conterio of Film Shaft.

And what does Martyn have to say?

"Dead Hooker in a Trunk is totally bonkers from start to finish. Watch it with your friends and plenty of beers for added fun. The future could be very bright for these young filmmakers." ~ Martyn Conterio, Film Shaft

But that's just a little appetizer. For the full review, feast your eyes over HERE.

And be sure to grab yourselves a copy of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK on the 23rd and support indie film. Our most humble thanks to everyone who's believed in this film. Look at how far we've come. We couldn't have brought this film this far without the incredible support of the horror community. You guys are the best of the best.

Bloody Best!
Jen