Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is one of the oddest sorts of books if ever there was one. So one would say that it is the perfect source to spring about a plethora of medias related to the iconic literary masterpiece of nonsense. On rough count there are a score and one films alone depicting Carroll’s novel in some way. The most notable of them have even seen DVD releases in the months surrounding the unveiling of Burton’s interpretation. But the one that caught me off guard was Director Simon Fellow’s latest film “Malice in Wonderland.” Released straight to DVD this modern twisting of an already nonsensical tale took me by complete surprise.

When American law student Alice is knocked down by a cab, it's just the start of her problems. Miles from home and relentlessly pursued by a shadowy group intent on taking her captive, she begins a dark and dangerous journey through a violent underworld full of gangsters, pimps and prostitutes. With only cab driver Whitey to guide her, she soon finds that the only way out is to fight for her freedom. As both fists and bullets begin to fly, Whitey and Alice soon find that in a world where nothing is as it seems, their only hope is to turn the tables on those who want to hunt them down, in this explosively twisted thriller where danger lurks around every corner.

Game Chronicles was recently approached to delve into the mindset of director Simon Fellows on his latest film. Check out what he had to say...

GCM: What was your inspiration for making Malice in Wonderland?

Simon Fellows: The writer and myself and were discussing ideas for our next screenplay adventure. We wanted something that everyone would already have an affinity with in terms of story/theme but something fresh, imaginative and original at the same time. We decided to research established works of fiction for inspiration then have some fun bending and reshaping it, so turning something old into something new. ‘Alice in Wonderland’ of course came up top of the list. We joked with a re-title ‘Malice in Sunderland’. Sunderland being a well know North Eastern England city. After laughing we realized we had our angle. A contemporary update and take on this imaginative, historic work, that to date had never been done. It had always been contained to its period. We also discovered that Lewis Carroll in fact wrote some of the original story whilst on visits to the Sunderland region of England. So serendipity was shining on us.

What really inspired also was the simple notion that Lewis Carroll had based many of the animal characters in the book on friends around him. Our simple notion was to reverse that process in a modern day setting. Taking the animals and deciding on contemporary human counter parts leapt off the page.

GCM: With all the Alice lore out there, such as the various books and films, which would you say was your strongest source for the film?

Simon Fellows: I have seen all versions of ‘Alice’ and I can honestly say there was nothing out there that worked in anywhere near the way we had in mind. We felt we had a truly original spin. I guess Baz Lehmann’s interpretation of Romeo and Juliet was a similar thought.

GCM: How did directing Malice in Wonderland differ from your other films and was it easier or harder?

Simon Fellows: Malice was much harder as it was a tighter film to make on all levels. That said and because it was a very personal project to see it come to life made any difficulties insignificant. The hardest part in it’s development was trying to find a balance in terms of not going too far into the surreal and keeping a grip on a simple story. The back-story and subtext in ‘Malice’ I thing really sits nicely with the original concept of Alice. A little girl lost.

GCM: During the filming process did you have a scene that was your favorite or that you were particularly proud of?

Simon Fellows: I particularly like the scene where ‘Whitey’ talks to a CCTV camera in the middle of nowhere. It’s graphic, simple and original. Nobody on the crew had seen this set/location until we got to it or expected the camera to lower itself remotely and that moment the minute Whitey stood under it and kicked the pole… Seeing the crew’s reaction to this captured for me the visual surrealism we were striving for. The other scene has to been the films climax with Maggie/Alice. The power she bought to the scene and the emotion that oozes out of it seems to penetrate deep into you as you watch which was wonderful to witness. It really provides a profound and weighty ending that I think is unexpected also. This scene for me illustrates the powerful stuff acting brings.

GCM: I’ve seen Malice in Wonderland several times and I must say that I enjoyed all the subtle touches hidden through out the film. Did you do this to pay homage to the Carroll story in anyway?

Simon Fellows: Yes exactly. We really tried to be as honest as we could in terms of our interpretation of this brilliant novel and those moments are weaved and hidden here and there to be discovered. If you know the story then you’ll see them more easily and if not then no matter as the ride would still be fun, was the aim.

GCM: Our readers and I were curious about one thing. If you had Johnny Depp in your film what character would he have been?

Simon Fellows: Maybe he could have my job as Director as he’s just shot a wonderful video for the band Babybird. Joking of course! Maybe the Caterpillar or White Rabbit of course…

GCM: Before we wrap this interview up, are there any parting words of wisdom that you would like to leave with our readers about filmmaking or Malice in Wonderland?

Simon Fellows: There’s nothing more fun than seeing the whole crew wondering if we had a real transsexual who’s going to pop out of the cake and show their ‘Sausage and Tatters’, and seeing the faces when he/she jumped out on the first take and realize! No that would be telling…!

Getting ‘Malice’ from concept to screen took 15 years of hard work; a bag of self-belief a healthy dose of madness mixed with a large tablespoon of masochism, Oh and good pinch of lady luck… Generally the stuff needed to get any film made. To all that want to do it, go for it it’s a blast.