Michael Berryman Interview
Exclusive Chat with Star of Lee Demarbe's Upcoming Film Smash Cut
Horror icon & legend Michael Berryman of "The Hills Have Eyes" & "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" fame, talks from the set of his upcoming horror film "Smash Cut"
Some may remember Michael Berryman from Wes Craven’s 1977 cult classic The Hills Have Eyes. Or from Milos Forman’s Oscar-winning classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Younger audiences will recognize him from Rob Zombie’s ode to grisly 70’s drive-in horror: The Devil’s Rejects. Michael Berryman is currently in Ottawa, Canada shooting Smash Cut; a Herschell Gordon Lewis-inspired splatter-horror satire. Directed by Lee Demarbe of Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter fame, Smash Cut looks to be a fun-filled cult horror hit with genre fans.
Berryman's Memorable Face: A Visible Horror Icon
Ranked #27 on EW’s smartest people in Hollywood list, Michael Berryman is a highly articulate and well-read man. He's known for espousing a unique mixture of quasi-right-wing political views, a concern for the environment and for being something of a philosopher. In a recent phone interview, Berryman cracks about “moving to Canada if the current political climate remains as is” in the US.
More than his politics, though, Berryman is known for his unusual physical appearance - a result of a rare genetic condition (Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia) which prohibits the development of hair, sweat glands, fingernails, or teeth. Berryman says that “having an obvious deformity, looking different and suffering many surgeries and reconstructions, led to being teased by other kids" but adds that his looks have helped him “make the kinds of films that I love”.
Berryman's Career: From Conservationist to Cuckoo's Nest
“(Before working in film) I had a habitat preservation in Venice, California when George Powell of Warner Brothers, producer of War of the Worlds, came in an asked if I would be interested in getting into the union for film work. I’ve always honoured that request." Soon, Berryman got a role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, jumpstarting a long and impressive film career.
Berryman says he was attracted to his current film Smash Cut because “it’s a tongue-in-cheek homage to the great popcorn movies of the past that people of all ages can enjoy." He also jokes that he “had nothing better to do,” but with multiple projects on the horizon and a busy schedule, this clearly isn’t the case.
Also a sought-after motivational speaker, Berryman is an easy and natural conversationalist, putting those around him at ease. He already refers to his Smash Cut cast and crew as his “new family” and the audibly jovial atmosphere around him reinforces this.
Michael Berryman Stars in Smash Cut
Smash Cut follows the story of Able Whitman, a horror director whose latest work is ridiculed by the audience in an early screening.
Depressed by the reaction, Able has some drinks at a strip club where he meets Gigi, an industrious young woman who he convinces to star in his next film. Unfortunately, a drunk driving accident takes the life of the potential starlet prior to production. Desperate to hide the body, Able decides to use Gigi’s body parts as props in his new film. When everyone is impressed by the dailies, Able realizes that he needs more spare body parts to keep up the demands of his movie, which is where the killing starts.
Meanwhile, Gigi’s sister April has hired celebrity private dick Isaac Beaumonde to investigate her disappearance. Discovering a string of related murders, Isaac starts to hone in causing Able to demonstrate increasingly erratic behaviour, which leads to additional murders.
Fans of technology will be intrigued by the new Red cameras being used to film Smash Cut, which is reportedly the first film to use them. As “a student of 35 mm”, Michael Berryman states that “the dailies looks great; clean, crisp and professional”.
Smash Cut: A New Gore-Splattered Horror Satire
Berryman fans and anyone who enjoys a good gore-splattered horror satire should keep their eyes open for the release of Smash Cut.
