Successful screening of Rochdale film production graduate's B-movie inspired horror New Spawn Fades

Date published: 08 August 2023

A Rochdale film production graduate held a successful screening of his film produced during his degree.

Michael Calleja-Mucha, is the director, editor and producer of the film, New Spawn Fades, which was screened to a private audience in Manchester on 25 July.

Playing homage to the B-movies of the ‘80s and ‘90s cult classics, New Spawn Fades tells the story of a post-punk band who must fight to survive their first (and deadliest) gig at a sleazy rural venue.

When toxic waste is dumped in the local countryside, Lewis, the guitarist, is forced to confront what he really wants as a musician as killer mutant frogs descend on the venue and threaten him, his friends and his future.

New Spawn Fades is inspired by cult horror classics, including Toxic Avenger, Gremlins 2, Evil Dead II, From Dusk Till Dawn and Green Room. It was mainly filmed around the Rochdale area at various local venues.

Michael began making the film during his final year at Salford University before re-editing and extending the feature, which has also been submitted to various film festivals.

The film was picked up as a semi-finalist for the Riservati Pictures Film Festival earlier this year.

Michael said the idea came about after an experience he and some friends had when they played their first gig when they were in college.

“The gig took place in Bacup, which at the time because it was winter and the town was so desolate, the eerie experience really resonated with us therefore I always knew I wanted to use that as a basis for a horror film,” he explained. “When it came time to do our final year film at university, I knew that I needed to add something else to really captivate the audience.”

He said: “Before the term started, I remember discussing with friends how the downfall of a lot of modern horror films is that they focus too much on trying to convince the audience that a particular wacky/fictional concept could really happen and therefore loses a lot of people's attention.

“Therefore I thought it would be good fun to throw in something that is a tongue-in-cheek concept so audiences can find humour in tropes of what would be in serious horror films.

“This also tied into the goal I had for the film. I planned to make something that was both fun to watch and fun to make by paying homage to some of the cult classics of the genre.”

He continued: “I have always been into film, but it wasn't till I started studying film production that I come to realise that I had an unknown passion for horror. Because of this, I would find myself researching and watching content in my own time as well as in the classroom.

“One class in particular that fuelled my love for the genre was my horror media class, in it, we learned quite a lot about horror in TV, film, radio and other media.

“I also found myself constantly watching the YouTube channel, RedLetterMedia. This channel would discuss all things film, from new releases to classics. But one series of theirs that I found fascinating was the show 'Best of the Worst' which was about all things B-Movie.

“With a combination of this and what we studied, it would then transpire to my interest and keenness to make New Spawn Fades.”

Trailer for New Spawn Fades