A bizarre yet exciting new horror-comedy film about mutant killer midges is buzzing its way into the Scottish film scene! What started as a joke on social media by Fort William-based author and screenwriter Barry Hutchison has quickly evolved into a serious project, now entering pre-production.
The film’s teaser trailer, shot by Glasgow-based filmmaker Alessio Avezzano, has just been released, giving fans a first glimpse of the chaotic fun that awaits.
Hutchison, known for his crime novels under the pen name JD Kirk, jokingly posted the idea last summer, never expecting the overwhelming response.
“It just took off,” he shared, and soon, the wheels were in motion for what promises to be a thrilling mix of horror and humor set against the scenic backdrop of Scotland.
The teaser was shot in Balloch Country Park, West Dunbartonshire, and other locations.
Despite the typical Scottish overcast weather during location scouting, production day saw an unseasonably sunny day, causing a crowd of Glaswegians to flock to the park.
Avezzano joked, “Every person from Glasgow came to have a good time, so we had to move the production deeper into the trees.”
The teaser itself features two unsuspecting walkers who stumble upon a terrified scientist and a laboratory under attack by an unseen menace.
While the titular mutant midges are not shown, the tension of their presence is palpable.
The film’s visual effects are being handled by Scottish companies like Motif Studios, who previously worked on a Mad Max film, and digital entertainment company Blazing Griffin.
This isn’t Hutchison’s only film project this year.
He has also been busy co-writing and producing DRAGN, a sci-fi horror set to be filmed in Serbia, and he’s a co-producer for Grow, a Sky Cinema film starring Nick Frost, which is slated for release next year.
Despite these projects, Hutchison is firmly focused on bringing his midge nightmare to life, saying, “We’re hoping to keep this as much of a Scottish production as possible.”
Exterior scenes are set to be shot in the Highlands, but the filmmakers are wary of being “plagued by actual midges” during the summer shoot.
If you’ve ever spent time in the Highlands, you know the tiny, bloodthirsty flies are the bane of campers and hikers alike, swarming in millions and leaving itchy bites.
For Hutchison and his team, the movie is not only a horror-comedy but also a tribute to Scotland. “It’s very much a celebration of Scotland as well,” Avezzano explained.
The mutant midges may wreak havoc on-screen, but the film is poised to showcase the country’s rugged beauty and, of course, its unique sense of humor.
Also read: Cissy Houston, Gospel Legend, Passes Away At 91
