‘To Kill a Werewolf’ is the re-imagining of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ through the lens of first-time director Kelsey Taylor. In this interpretation of the classic fairytale, Taylor’s take is all about teenage sexual grooming, a topic that is sadly so timing with all the various cases of sexual abuses all around the U.S and the World. Kelsey Taylor is a director to watch as she proves here where to perfectly put the camera to capture the very emotional scenes depicted in her “tour de force” drama.
Just before the start of the Santa Barbara film festival we were able to do a quick and inspiring interview with Kelsey.
Q: How did this film happen?
Kelsey: It was an intense and emotional adventure. It was a family affair with this one with my partner who did everything from cameraman, to producing, to catering, etc. It took us seven years to make this film. We tried the traditional route and make it with a big cast and a big budget, but it didn’t work out. It was not meant to be. It was too tough to convince people, especially as a first-time director. So, after years of rejections we decided to fund it ourselves. On the side I direct commercial and therefore we were able to make a living and put our resources into this film. It is a passion project for me. I’m from Washington state so we decided to film in Oregon. It was nice to go home, and it was familiar territory. We travelled a small group of people with us. Of course we hired locals as well. We shot it in 2023, and we only shot very quickly the whole script in 25 days. We had no money for reshoot. And on top of this it snowed, and we were in the middle of April.
Q: Why this film? Why this choice for a first-time filmmaker?
Kelsey: Well, I love fairytales. They have been around me for so long. At this point in time, their messages have become pretty much black and white. But the original tales are very dark, and the message is not always so clear. You can actually make so many interpretations from these tales. In this case I tried to think about all the many interpretations about ‘The Little Red Riding Hood’. And naturally I came to the interpretation about “sexual grooming”. These are elements that have not changed since the first draft of the script.
Q: Since you knew it was to be a very difficult sales why the choice of this topic and this film?
Kelsey: The idea got lodged into my head. And as an “artist” I’m very practical and logical but I had the urge to focus on this particular movie somewhat. I felt I needed to close a loop on this one and I needed to shoot that film. I’m not sure what it was about but I felt this film needed to be done. Now I can move onto the next one, which I know will also be very difficult to put together.
Q: Based also on a fairy tale?
Kelsey: No. That one is based on Greek mythology. It’s love and not as clear as this one, but this is based on Prometheus and Epimetheus, the idea of “before thought” and “after thought”. How do we deal with the consequences of our actions? Intended or not intended? It feels even harder this time so I’m sure the financing will be tough to put together. I thought by now we have distribution for the current film, but everyone passed. So, I’m afraid it will be as difficult for the next film. It’s dauting starting another project, knowing we might end up here, again. But that said, it’s this new film is again so deep in me that I can’t let go. It’s all about earning enough money to put it again in the next film. I need probably a couple of years to finance it.
Q: What is the takeaway with that movie?
Kelsey: For me it’s about redemption. What do you do in these times after. Is it possible for you to get on the right path. I like films that ask questions at the end. What do you do? I hope people find answers though other people. Through other people you can find a way forward, you can find something redeeming about yourself, when you look at someone’s else journey. That’s the hope and that’s the goal.