I Walked with a Zombie, and Filmed It. Donna Davies Wants You to Bring Out Your Living Dead

While she’s interested in most things paranormal, Donna Davies has no plans to jump on the teen train to Transylvania. If you ask her about lycan­thropes, she’ll probably only yawn. But if you ask her about zombies, then prepare to get educated, because when it comes to the liv­ing dead, this director knows her stuff.

Asked why she’s so drawn to rotted-fleshed brain-nibblers, Davies answers, “I have always been making films about weird things. I did a Canadian television series called “Shadow Hunter” that looked at all kinds of pop culture monsters. Five years ago zombies were popular, but nothing like they are right now. Zombies are such nihilistic monsters. It’s not so much about attacking people but rather the end of civi­lization. I think they’re perfect for the way the world is right now because people are very bleak in their attitudes. With vampires, you have to be wary of the dark stranger lurking in the neighborhood. With zombies, you have to be wary of your daughter, your dog, your mother, everybody.”

To back this theory, Davies has helmed a feature-length documentary, appropriately titled Zombiemania, which both reveals their history and explores why we are so fascinat­ed by those who refuse to stay dead. The film contains interviews with zombie experts from the film world like director George

Romero (Night of the Living Dead), actor/SFX wizard Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead), makeup expert Greg Nicotero (Drag Me to Hell), and zombie experts from the literary world like Rue Morgue Magazine’s Jovanka Vuckovic, and authors Max Brooks (The Zombie Survival Guide), and Wade Davis (The Serpent and the Rainbow). It also examines the phenomenon of the zombie-based video games and the popularity of Zombie Walks: organized public gatherings where people dress up like zombies to act out everything from simulated devouring of the living, to re-enacting Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” routine.

Once Davies had the idea for the film, bringing it to life was almost as tough as raising the dead. “When I brought up the idea that I wanted to do a serious docu­mentary about zombies, certain people would get up and leave the table!” she laughs. “But I was fascinated by the idea. Shoot-em-up zombie games were so pop­ular they couldn’t keep them in stock at the video stores. I just had to find the right broadcaster. In Canada it was the Space Channel. They were used to getting far out pitches. I started out with a shorter version and they were surprised how well it did with audiences and it took off.”

Once her brain was sated with her fill of zombies, Davies next documentary cov­ered some of their favorite victims. Pretty Bloody: the Women of Horror gave a voice to women in the male-dominated industry as they discussed their careers, experi­ences, and views. And now she’s develop­ing another documentary on special effects make-up in the horror industry. “I’m follow­ing Greg Nicotero on his endeavor to try to keep the hands-on art of special effects make-up alive in the industry where CGI is causing things to change dramatically.”

In her explorations of what goes into giving us goose-bumps, Davies made a discovery: “People in the horror industry are the nicest people in the world. There are no egos attached and they are so sup­portive of each other’s work. Plus, what other film sector allows the fans to meet the people who make the film? You might never be able to stand in line to meet Brad Pitt and talk about how he did his last movie. But you can meet George Romero, Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero, and any of the actors and filmmakers anytime at conven­tions. And they actually take feedback and work it into their shows. It’s a tremendously different kind of filmmaking.”  ▼

“Zombiemania” airs on STARZ starting October 13th. Davies couldn’t be more pleased with the scheduling. “It’s perfect timing to get people ready for Halloween.”