Interviews With Kurt Wimmer, Elena Kampouris & Kate Moyer - 'Children Of The Corn' (2023).

Introduction

Thank you, thank you, thanks for having us! Thank you! This is a big treat for me to have all three of you at the same time. It's a treat for us too because we haven't seen each other since we finished the movie. Basically, it's actually great to see these ladies again. In between the interviews, we're catching up, we're just debating stuff over beers. And that's how we reunite. We're learning a lot.

The Journey to Theatrical Release

Thanks for having us and congratulations on the film's release. It's been a couple of years in the making, so it's great to finally see it coming out. I was just scrolling through my Facebook feed and Cinemark Theaters popped up with "Children of the Corn." It's great to see it getting a theatrical release, especially in this day and age. COVID obviously shut things down for a long time, and we were determined to get the theatrical release for this. It's very hard with titles like this to get a theatrical release because everything is getting pushed to streaming. So, we feel very lucky.

Kurt's Approach: Making a Standout Film

Kurt, what was your thought process on making this 11th installment of "Children of the Corn" stand out from everything else that's been put out?

Well, you know, I didn't see everything else that has been put out. I went back to the source material, Stephen King's original story. It contains everything in it. It seemed very simple to me. It's a movie about kids, not the adults. In the past, the adults were always the victims, which I never understood because how can adults be victims? It's obvious that when the world is corrupt, it's not the kids' fault. They are just reacting to it. So, I thought, let's tell the story from the kids' point of view. It seemed like a layup because it hasn't been done before.

Fresh Concepts and Timely Themes

You did a great job of bringing fresh concepts and tackling timely themes in the film. Government outreach, climate change, and more were incorporated into the story. What was your approach?

I'm glad you think so! Those were elements I found interesting. There is an inescapable link between humanity and nature, and in this film, we explore how humanity is poisoning itself with what it breathes and eats. The GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, and other man-made chemicals. It's a timely and important topic. We also touched on historical events like the Salem witch trials and the dancing plague of 1518, which I had never heard of before. So, the film is packed with rich themes beneath the surface.

Kate and Elena's Experience and Favorite Scenes

Kate, did you watch any of the previous "Children of the Corn" films before working on this one?

Unfortunately, I did not. I think it would have been important to do so, but I didn't get a chance to.

And Elena, what about you? Did you watch any of the films in preparation?

I've watched all of Stephen King's movies with my mom, including some of the previous "Children of the Corn" films when I was younger. But for this film, I went into it with a clean slate. The twist on this classic story and the inventive elements drew me in.

Kate, do you have a favorite scene from the film?

There were so many scenes I enjoyed, it's hard to choose. But one of my favorites to film was the scene in the jail, where all the kids are just destroying stuff. It felt like a moment of freedom during a time when everything felt restricted.

Overcoming Challenges and Making History

Kurt, as the writer and director, you've worked on several remakes. Was it difficult for you to approach each project and put your own spin on it?

Not at all. I love the original films, and when I was given the opportunity to work on the remakes, I thought, "If someone's going to mess it up, it might as well be me." As a true fan, I wanted to do justice to the source material while adding my own touch.

It's worth mentioning that nowadays, most movies are remakes, sequels, or adaptations of existing IP. It's a sad state of the industry, but we have to keep moving forward with what's available.

Shooting During a Pandemic: Making History

This film made history by being one of the only productions shooting during the early stages of the pandemic. Can you talk about the challenges and how you managed to overcome them?

We started shooting in April 2020, and for those two months, we were the only film shooting on Earth. We had to invent a whole new set of protocols to keep everyone safe. It was a massive challenge, especially because the set was full of kids. But we managed to make it work, and no one got sick. Afterward, other productions approached us to learn from our experience. It was a proud moment to be pioneers and to have made this film under such difficult circumstances.

The Beauty of the Cornfields and Unforgettable Moments

The cinematography in the film is beautiful, especially the scenes in the cornfield. Can you talk about shooting in those locations?

Our cinematographer, Andrew Rollins, did an incredible job capturing the beauty of the cornfields. It was shot in New South Wales, in horse country. We grew all that corn for the film, which was quite interesting because we had to learn about corn farming. It grows so fast that we were constantly monitoring its height and trying to keep up with continuity. It was a finicky process, but in the end, it worked out.

There was a scene at the end where Kate had to light a match, and it was her first time doing so. It was a funny moment because we didn't expect her to know how to do it, but she nailed the performance. It's a testament to her talent and the dedication of the cast.

A Joyful Experience and Overcoming Adversity

Elena, do you have any special moments or favorite scenes from the film?

Every day on set was a joy for me. Despite the challenges we faced, being in Australia, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and amazing crew members, made it an unforgettable experience. We formed a strong bond, and even though we were exhausted and up against so much, we managed to create something special. It's an achievement we are all proud of.

Wrapping Up

Thank you so much for this conversation. It was amazing to speak with all three of you and hear about your experiences and the challenges you overcame to make this film. Congratulations again!

Thank you, Ryan! It was a pleasure. Take care and goodbye!

Bye!