If you want something a bit different from your horror then Tom Botchii's Syphon is for you. A high-speed tale of revenge, it's as inventive as it is entertaining so we had a quick chat about this superb feature.
STV: Where did the idea for Syphon come from?
TB: A friend of mine told me that I should stop wasting my time and just do action movies. Then I had a kid and thought, damn... I'm running out of time! So I decided to combine some of my favorite elements in films that I enjoyed and I realised that one of the biggest elements that kept coming up was the cat and mouse chase. So then I thought, why can't that just be the whole movie? And that's where it all started.
STV: How long did it take to get the script as you wanted it?
TB: It was sort of written and rewritten for about 3 months before the shoot happened.
STV: Jeffrey Decker and Shuhei Kinoshita are incredible, did they have much time to rehearse?
TB: Not really!! I threw them in head first and they were completely up for the challenge. I personally believe that the best performance is usually the first performance an actor gives you. The reason being, that's when they're the most honest. And when you're honest, that opens the door to being completely free. Which is when I've always seen the most genuine performances.
STV: The movie is very deep and serious, what was the atmosphere like on set?
TB: The mood would constantly change from fun to very determined. It was really always about getting everything that we need, as fast as possible and this never ending determination to beat our shooting schedule into a bloody pulp. Then we'd eat home cooked meals and laugh. Jeff's mom, "Mama Bev" as we all called her, would cook the most amazing, sometimes way too heavy for set food meals that you could ever ask for. It's funny because this budget was so small but there was always plenty of really good food and that's all because of "Mama Bev."
STV: How did you choose the right locations and what challenges did shooting in different areas pose?
TB: By writing what we had access to. I really think writing is where the editing and definitely where the producing starts.
STV: What lessons from directing your debut feature did you learn and helped you prepare to direct Syphon?
TB: So many lessons, the most important was to just scale everything down... no way am I doing something with 30 people on set ever again. Under 10 is the way to go. Keep it tight, keep it moving and get as many friends and family involved as possible. My first feature, and potentially everyone's first feature, I'm not sure exactly but it always feels this way... is both about getting something out of you that needs to come out and also, getting a film experience that you think reflects what happens on major films. What I've realized is that was a massive mistake and that everyone should just treat their first film like a short film that they're making with a few friends. In my opinion, that's the funnest and most efficient way to make an indie film.
STV: It’s pretty cool to see director Matt Stuertz and Jackie Kelly cameo in the movie, how did they get involved?
TB: I've always been a fan of Stuertz's camera work and Jackie is always down to be involved with fun projects. So when I ended up getting Stuertz and David Pitt to help us shoot the film, they knew Jackie, and linked us up. She was a really fun presence on set.
STV: The car wash track is hilarious, is that an original?
TB: Yes it is!! All credit for that needs to go to one of my best friends, Landon Lee. He's as talented as he is hilarious. He literally made that the week that we shot the scene. My only direction was telling him, "I need something that feels like a kids song that's about a car wash." Two days later he sent me that and we all gathered around my phone inbetween setups to give it spin. Everyone burst out laughing when they heard it.
STV: Will you be nervous when the movie has its world premiere at Grimmfest 2025?
TB: Absolutely! I have no idea what to expect. I can't wait to see how the audience will respond to it. I know that it's a much better film than my first film, but you just never know.
STV: So, what are you working on at the moment
TB: Something with way more blood... like, an obscene amount.
STV: Tom Botchii, thank you very much.
