Film: Dreamland Awaits
Director: Demeter Lóránt
Writer: Demeter Lóránt
Starring: Nicolas Hackenberg, Rebecka Johnston, Jonathan C. Nelson
Josh, a hardened detective, faces his darkest case yet: his wife and daughters have been kidnapped. To save them, he must obey a mysterious captor, move into a desolate house, and complete disturbing tasks. But the house is no ordinary place; it’s a gateway to a dark dimension that warps reality and forces Josh to confront the nightmare within himself.
In a new interview on Blazing Minds ahead of the Horror-On-Sea Takeover at the Southend Film Festival, I got a chance to ask Writer-Director Demeter Lóránt a few questions about his film ‘Dreamland Awaits‘
You can watch Dreamland Awaits at the Horror-On-Sea Takeover on Saturday, 6th June at 11:00hrs.
Q. Your film Dreamland Awaits has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Take Over Day at the Southend Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A. Thank you for the honour, we’re really excited to be screening there! The film is a slow-burning, atmospheric horror made with a three-person crew. It follows a cop who must spend a few days in a strange house and complete a series of tasks in order to get his family back, but things take a dark turn very quickly.
Q. What were your inspirations when writing the script?
A. I’ve always been drawn to horror films where the location becomes a character in itself. That’s what I wanted to capture here, a strange house that acts as a doorway between realities. Films like A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) and Skinamarink (2022) were strong influences.
Q. Did you have any of the cast in mind for the characters when writing the script?
A. I had a clear vision, but not a specific cast in mind while writing. They came into the picture later. However, I already had music by Jimmy Svensson selected early on, and I was listening to his compositions while writing the screenplay, which really helped shape the tone and mood.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I wanted the film to have an ’80s aesthetic. Apart from a few shots, we relied entirely on practical effects, and that mindset also influenced the overall visual style. The look draws inspiration from German Expressionism and the films of Dario Argento, along with smaller visual homages to various genre directors.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. A few mood-driven scenes were added or removed, but nothing major. The structure was always solid. As the shoot progressed, we became more focused on what the story truly needed, so we refined things and left anything unnecessary behind.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. We covered every window of the house with black foil, making it completely pitch black even during the day, when most of the filming took place. The entire house became the set, filled with smoke, lights, and cables everywhere. Stepping out of that environment into a sunny garden full of birds and flowers was a surreal contrast. I really enjoyed that transition between the film’s reality and the real world.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. The shoot itself was well organised, and we were lucky with the weather, so things mostly went according to plan. The main challenge was scheduling; we had to drop quite a few B-roll shots that didn’t require the actors in order to stay within their availability. As a result, we shot a number of additional scenes later, some nearly a year after principal photography.
Q. What makes Dreamland Awaits stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. The visual style and atmosphere definitely sets it apart. I approached every shot as something that could stand on its own, almost like a frame you could put on a wall. I’m especially proud of the red–blue–yellow colour palette. It’s a slow-burning film with a strong emphasis on visual symbolism, which might not be for everyone, but if it clicks, I think it leaves a lasting impression.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. Ideally, it sparks a conversation, especially between like-minded viewers. I intentionally left many elements open to interpretation, and for me, the best outcome is when a film continues to live on in someone’s thoughts or discussions after the credits roll.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. We’re currently developing a horror comedy titled Rubber Moon. It leans more into a lighter, black comedy tone, inspired by films like Demonic Toys (1992), and it’s packed with practical effects and a bit of madness. We’re hoping to shoot this fall and release it sometime next year.
Q. If someone were looking to write and direct their own film, what advice would you give them?
A. Figure out what you’re good at and lean into it. Have a strong vision, start small, and build from there. It’s a lot of work, especially in the indie space, but the more energy you invest, the more you get back. The key is to keep moving forward.
You can watch Dreamland Awaits at the Horror-On-Sea Takeover on Saturday, 6th June at 11:00hrs.
You can find out more about Dreamland Awaits on the Official Website https://www.dreamlandawaitsmovie.com/
You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets here.
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!