Apparitions, a new drama series for 91Èȱ¬ÌýOne
Interview with writer, Joe Ahearne
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Where did the idea for Apparitions
come from?
Martin Shaw approached the 91Èȱ¬ with the
idea of playing an exorcist. The 91Èȱ¬ put
him in touch with Lime Pictures who were
developing an idea from Nick Collins about
a priest who investigates miracles. I was
approached later on to write a first script
based on this central concept of a priest
who is working to promote candidates for
sainthood. I discovered in research that
the issues in exorcism and possession were
much more exciting than the usual horror
approach. I loved the idea that extreme
sanctity and extreme evil were interwoven.
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What can we expect from
Apparitions?
Thrills, scares and an engaging, powerful
central performance from Martin Shaw –
supported by a first-rate ensemble. It's a
tense and sometimes shocking thriller with
supernatural overtones, not unrelenting
horror. It's properly researched with no
projectile vomiting or heads spinning 360 degrees. This is a story
where the exorcist is centre stage – not the
possessed victim. Parts of it are terrifying but
we don't lose sight of the human drama amid
the battle. I hope the treatment of this subject
is genuinely unexpected and will make people
think, not just jump out of their seats.
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How did you find being both the writer
and director for Apparitions?
It's easier directing something you've written
because you can change it more freely on set
when the actors discover what works and what
doesn't. And it's easier writing something
you know is going to be in your own hands
to realise and your own responsibility if you
screw up.
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How did you find working on
Apparitions in comparison to some of
your other projects such as This Life or
Doctor Who?
It's not quite as technically complicated as
Doctor Who - although we do have stunts and
wire work and prosthetics and CGI they are
used much more sparingly. The camera style
is more complex than This Life. The subject
matter is far darker than either This Life or
Doctor Who. What they all have in common
are a fantastic cast with total commitment
who make you believe the most bizarre
situations.
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You tackle some difficult subjects
in Apparitions – where does your
inspiration come from?
Apparitions is first and foremost a drama
series, but the inspiration comes from the
Catholic Church itself, its theology and
beliefs. Because many of those beliefs are out
of place in a secular society like Britain and
it creates great conflict which is the engine for
drama. Where Apparitions becomes exciting is
when those core beliefs are taken on board
and interrogated. Not just the belief in hell
and demons but here-and-now ethics and
morality. The inspiration for the stories have
largely come from Catholic history of the
saints or recent situations like the apparitions
of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje, Croatia.
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The Catholic Church appears to have
great influence in a lot of your work – why is this?
It's a fluke! I did vampires 10 years ago
and you can't do vampires without the
church. Then I did something about parents
pretending to be Catholics last year and
now this which was not my idea. So that's
only three times in 10 years! It's not like an
obsession or anything...
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What research have you done for this
programme?
I have a new shelf of literature at home
relating to miracle investigation, histories
of the saints, exorcism (two books written
by the real Chief Exorcist of Rome) and
the nature of evil as well as books from the
current wave of atheist writers denouncing
religion as poison. Many Catholic writers
will share my view that holding contradictory
opinions at the same time is part of the
process. The argument is what matters not
the conclusion.
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Has researching subjects such as
exorcism and possession forced you to
challenge your belief system?
No I'm a devout atheist and endlessly
fascinated with the issue of faith in the
impossible. It's true I bought a cross when we
were shooting in Rome and I'm still wearing
it. And it's true some of the actors had
unnerving stories to tell during the shoot. My
unfaith remains unshaken however. I need
big miracles to make me believe. So far I've
just been teased by the paranormal.
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Are you pleased with the finished
product?
The actors and crew have transformed the
script into something truly exciting and
moving which surprised even me. So a big
yes!
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