Mike Bennett Makes Badass Punk Sci-Fi Film

UK Punk Rock/New Wave music producer Mike Bennett makes a Punk Sci-Fi film. Bennett decided to fly into LA to punk it up in Orange County. The film titled Back to Drak tells the story of a flock of vegan vampires from the planet Zorg. These vampires are mind corroding creatures whom prey on the people in Huntington Beach, Ca. who crave to kill for the thrill. These vampires have a delicate metabolism but desire to bathe in blood of humans to rejuvenate themselves and restore their eternal youth. 

Bennet talks about the making of the film below

Five of us flew out from England with a view to make a B-movie-style cinematic experience. However, when only two of us came back, which was a little disconcerting. An English guy who passed himself off as a director of photography, bailed out along with his two-strong team of young guys to pursue certain activities on Tinder. We were in an unbelievable situation and our director Philip Peel informed us that it had been at least 30 years since he witnessed such an act and the survivor in me, still wanted to carry on with the film. I was encouraged greatly by the industrious team around me to push on. The cameras continued to roll as we picked up a new team in America. Some wild things happened on set while filming.

The aftermath of the selfish act committed by the errant D.O.P had sent production down a dark corridor. On top of all the near physical fights, sirens of the ambulances, religious groups protesting outside the vinyl store. They also had American pop stars refusing to do certain scenes in fear that it would marginalized their clean image. All through the ridiculousness–the great thing was that the cameras continued to roll off set. These particular capers gave Bennett an idea when he was back home looking at the rushes. It struck him that since so many things went wrong, it was almost meant to be, because they a well-shot film with gaping holes in the plot due to the outrageous antics surrounding the filming process; a kind of reality in tandem with the actual film. Bennett thought immediately to himself  ‘Spinal Drak ‘ (a take on the film Spinal Tap).

John Robb, is the legendary member of The Membranes and founder of Louder Than War magazine. Robb came to mind after Bennett cropped up an idea to get a journalistic sleuth with a great cinematic presence to investigate the making of the film.   Robb was enthused with Bennett’s idea and decided to work with Bennett on the film. 

 

Mike Bushell, a BBC sports presenter, who Bennett thought would be a great fit for the news bulletin scene in the film. Bennett and Bushell met up and Bushell agreed to be apart of the film.

 

 

Donna Lloyd, is the exquisite Welsh siren, who plays the role of Daisy Pusher, Walsh’s counterpart in the film. Kurt Walsh plays The Portly Prince of Prague, who is the alter ego of an extremely manipulative vegan vampire from the solar system 200,000,058 light years away. Ingeniously the action takes place in the oldest vinyl store in California, famously known as Vinyl Solution.

It’s rumored that they are in talks with legendary horror exponents Troma in New York  and the rather brilliant High Flyer Film at Pinewood Studios England with surrealist comedy, shocking horror, vampires of the vegan variety and an amazing soundtrack.

Back to Drak is one film to watch!