BRATISLAVA: The Slovak directorial duo Gabriel Hoštaj and Roman Lazar are in post-production with Conspiracy, a feature debut for both artists, which should be completed by the end of 2011.

Though the media have reported Conspiracy will be a horror movie, Lazar (who is also producing) told FNE he preferred the term "mystery film."

"Conspiracy does contain elements of horror, but, unlike classical horror pieces, it also uses black humour," he said, adding that the film features a number of shocking and bizarre scenes and twists, which are very rare in Slovak film production. "Apart from allusions to the Italian giallo, we have made use of various non-traditional formal techniques, often found in American and European independent movies. For me Conspiracy is hochkunst disguised in pulp-fiction clothes."

Lazar said that only a few people in Slovakia know that Hoštaj is actually the author of two medium-length horror movies, A Trip and The Surprise. Lazar himself is better known as director and producer of TV commercials and music videos.

The shooting took 21 days in July and August. Major locations included a cemetery in Bratislava and an abandoned house in the western Slovak town of Modra.

Featuring Zuzana Kocúriková (The Lanfier Colony), Michaela Drotárová (Bathory) and Dušan Cinkota (Rose Garden Clinic), the €250,000 movie is produced by Lazar's Last Frame Production (www.spiknutie.sk). Special effects are handled by AVI Studio (www.avistudio.sk).

Lazar said Conspiracy being primarily meant for TV, and the producers will be trying to sell the rights to foreign TV channels. A preliminary agreement has already been made with a Czech distribution company.

However, the authors have also applied for support from the Slovak Audiovisual Fund (www.avf.sk) for the film to get distribution in cinemas.

"The Audiovisual Fund proclaims it wants to support low-budget B movies. I think there's hardly a lower-budgeted and more B-movie-like film currently being produced in Slovakia. So common sense suggests we have all chances to be selected," Lazar concluded.

Contact details:

Last Frame Production

Ľudovíta Fullu 9/B

841 05 Bratislava, Slovakia

Tel: +421 907 542 474

Email: ebacigalova@gmail.com

www.spiknutie.sk

AVI Studio

Lazaretská 12

811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia

Tel: +421 2 65 444 666, +421 907 799 169

Email: office@avistudio.sk