Sinister Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Dore, writer of the acclaimed short film The Concierge at the Sunrise Inn. In this conversation, Joe shares the origins of the project, his creative process, and the collaboration with a talented team to bring this haunting story to life, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and forgiveness.

The Inspiration Behind The Concierge at the Sunrise Inn

The initial idea for the film was inspired by the plains of punishment in Greek mythology, where humans are condemned to endure ironic torture for eternity—the story of Tantalus being a prime example. I wanted to write about a character who has resigned himself to his own specific form of ironic torture, which presented a challenge since the character has effectively given up at the start of the story. The challenge then became figuring out how to give him agency, which led me to the question of why. Why would a character resign himself to torture? The simple answer: because he believes he deserves to be punished. This made his motivation about avoiding salvation.

Building Suspense Through Atmosphere

Honestly, I wasn’t as concerned with building suspense as I might have been if I had directed the film myself. My primary focus was creating atmosphere and presenting the fearful elements of the script in simple terms for the reader. This approach allowed Calum Weir, the film’s director, to put his own spin on the material, fully understanding what he was depicting. Ultimately, 99% of the tension in a film is crafted through directing and editing, so I trusted him completely. Calum joined the project early in the writing process, which reassured me that I could rely on him for this. He’s a good egg.

Collaborating with a Talented Team

It was nothing short of incredible! I was insanely lucky to work with so many talented professionals, many of whom volunteered their time for free. Calum brought his vast technical knowledge and creative vision to the project, making collaboration feel natural and effortless.

Calum and I worked closely with Sid Smith, our production designer, to bring the film’s sets and props to life. We envisioned the hotel as a liminal space, like a forgotten, early-2000s Butlins. Sid immediately understood our vision, which speaks volumes about his talent and creativity. Justin Hawkins, the cinematographer, suggested filming the entire project on a steadicam, which saved us significant time during our tight two-day shooting schedule. Justin’s dedication and stamina—lugging a full steadicam rig for two 12-hour days—were extraordinary.

Our producer, Colette DeGrazia, was the glue that held everything together, ensuring the process remained enjoyable despite time constraints and long prep sessions. I also had the pleasure of having my brother, Tom, as the film’s gaffer, along with close friends who kept the mood light during stressful moments. The experience was truly a testament to the magic of working with passionate and talented individuals.

Themes of Forgiveness and Redemption

Ultimately, the film is about forgiveness—or, more specifically, the hope of forgiveness. It’s not so much about external forgiveness but rather the ability to forgive oneself. This is the only way these characters can move forward, both literally and metaphorically.

A Lifelong Love for Horror

I’ve always been drawn to horror, especially as a child, because they were the films I wasn’t allowed to watch at home. I remember sneaking off to watch them during sleepovers, with the thrill of doing something forbidden. Watching The Blair Witch Project at a friend’s house, only to be told by his older brother that it was a real documentary, left me sleepless that night!

David Lynch has been a significant influence on my work, particularly his ethos around audience interpretation in film. I love leaving things up to interpretation rather than explicitly spelling everything out. Lynch’s influence is evident in the syntax and communication of my characters, who embody sincerity and innocence that often contrast with the sinister themes simmering beneath the surface.

Where to Find Me

You can follow my work on Twitter (@JoeDore_) and Instagram (@joedore_).