When Taxidermy Meets Musical Comedy: An Interview on STUFFED

This interview was originally published on the Elements of Madness YouTube and podcast channels on April 9, 2021. 

After watching the bittersweet and darkly humorous short musical STUFED at SXSW Film Festival 2021, I just had to interview the creative team. It was truly the biggest surprise of the festival and won the special jury prize for Bold Vision in the Midnight Shorts category. Theo Rhys ran point as the director and co-writer, while Joss Holden-Rea co-wrote the story and created all of the lyrics and music. During our conversation we talk about their collaboration, their casting choices, the way they created the macabre setting of the film, and why they don’t consider STUFFED to be a horror movie.

About STUFFED: In a cozy cul de sac in Gloucestershire, Araminta (Alison Fitzjohn), a taxidermist, works on her artistry with animals but secretly longs for a human to stuff. When she places an ad online, Bernie (Anthony Young) responds. Scared of aging and leaving no legacy, Bernie finds the idea of being stuffed appealing. But when Bernie shows up at the house, the pair discovers a surprising connection to one another. They question if they should go through with the plot as planned or take a chance on romance.

STUFFED plays as if Norman Bates in PSYCHO found his soulmate before Marion Crane inquired about a vacancy. The well-crafted songs and spare but effective screenplay take viewers on an emotional journey, and the chemistry between leads Alison Fitzjohn and Anthony Young is undeniable.

Update: STUFFED is being adapted into a feature length film starring Jodie Comer and Henry Melling.