Marli Siu isn’t the Anna of Anna and the Apocalypse. Instead, she occupies the much-maligned best friend role, the space occupied by less traditionally attractive women (or, even more egregiously, gay men) so audiences will better understand just how amazing the lead is. A movie adapted from a short entitled Zombie Musical was never going to stick by those rules, though, and nor was Siu.
Her scene-stealing performance as the brilliant, confident, and hilarious Lisa is even more impressive given it’s Siu’s first big role, following a handful of shorts and a single T.V. show. Lisa’s big moment finds her performing a hilariously inappropriate, Santa Baby-esque, number at the school’s festive variety show, but the young actress lights up every moment she’s onscreen.
Crucially, her relationship with her onscreen boyfriend is presented with all the disgusting, washing machine-style teenage kissing required, but she’s never either a victim or a villain. Lisa, much like every other character in the movie, is afforded her own arc, her own story. She may not be Anna, but she doesn’t need to be. In Anna and the Apocalypse, everybody gets to shine. See our review of the film right here.
The Frightfest synopsis promises a delicious mixture of genres:
Shaun of the Dead gets Footlooose with High School Musical in a pure gore delight with a toe-tapping beat. Anna is looking forward to the end of high school. But while her widowed father dreams of university, she has other plans – jet-setting around the world to experience life before settling down. Suddenly a zombie apocalypse threatens her sleepy Scottish town, forcing Anna and friends to struggle, slash and sing their way to survival, facing the living dead in a desperate race to reach their loved ones. A holiday horror show stopper with a mental, maniacal and magical musical edge.
Directed by John McPhail, and co-written by Alan McDonald and Ryan Henry, the movie stars Ella Hunt, Mark Benton, Sarah Swire, and Marli Siu. It’s equal parts funny, gory, inspiring, and surprisingly emotional.
Also See: Ella Hunt on Anna and the Apocalypse [Frighfest Exclusive Interview]
Wicked Horror caught up with Siu at Frightfest 2018 to talk favourite horror movies, women taking over the genre, surviving the zombie apocalypse, and much, much more.
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Interview conducted by: Joey Keogh
Camera: Richard Waters
Editing: Richard Waters
