Zoe Moonshine

Zoe Moonshine
by Douglas Waltz
Douglas Waltz - Okay, first your name is pronounced "zoo" as in The Brooklyn Zoo, is that correct?
Zoe Moonshine - Well there is a discrepancy there, William [Hellfire]likes to pronounce it as "Zoo" and I pronounce it as Zoe. Honestly, because I have a tough enough time getting people to understand me with my accent anyway, throwing in an unusual pronunciation on top of that may be too much. We liked "Zoo" because of the French actress Julie Deply's character name in the film "Killing Zoe".
DW - You are originally from South Africa, what could have possessed you to come to the wilds of New Jersey?
ZM - You know, I keep asking myself the same damn question! Just kidding. I moved here because I met Bill Hellfire in the UK, we fell hard for each other, and he asked if I'd like to come and live in the States. For most people that would seem insane, but I was bitten by the travel bug along time ago - traveling is my passion. Typical Sagittarius! I have a very adventurous spirit, hell I left South Africa when I was a wee nipper at 20 to explore the world, went through some really tough times but ultimately landed on my feet having learnt some very important life lessons. My friends and family were worried about me moving to the US, naturally, but my motto is "rather try and fail than not try at all," and I threw caution to the wind, followed my heart, and here I am 4 years later. I guess it worked out.
DW - What were your first impressions on meeting Bill Hellfire?
ZM - Why is that creepy guy in the cowboy hat staring at me incessantly? Should I be afraid? No, really, besides the instant physical attraction, I immediately found him to be like no one I had ever met, very charismatic, charming, super intelligent and interesting but mostly what hooked me was that he really challenged my way of thinking. I have, and still do consider myself to be very liberal in my thinking and non-judgmental but Bill challenged even my most far out notions about life. I also loved his passion for music and film, not just for the type of music and film but because he is such a passionate person who is dedicated to following his dreams and learning all that he can in his chosen field of interests. That's a very attractive quality to me.
DW - You have used a number of different names in your career so far. Any reason for that and why did you settle on Zoe Moonshine?
ZM - I started out as Cherry Moonshine as Cherry is similar to my real name. You"ll never guess it, it's French and I have never met anyone with my name but "Cherry"? That name was too "Porn Star". Moonshine is a nickname Bill gave me when we met and I just love all the connotations of Moonshine, ya know? I dig it. Zoe is just a name I've always liked.
DE - In two of your more recent films "Bikini Girls On Dinosaur Planet" and "The Devil's Bloody Playthings" you have been exclusively paired with Ruby LaRocca. What is your relationship like with Ruby?
ZM - First and foremost, Ruby and I are friends, in some ways she is like a little sister to me. Our friendship made certain scenes in Devil's really difficult for us to shoot. For instance, when she had to slap me, or be really mean to me, you go and try to slap one of your best friends repeatedly and berate them. Even when you're acting, it's still difficult. However our relationship also enables us to push the envelope because we trust each other and we can comfortably discuss our roles no matter how personal or controversial. Bill and I tend to try to find people we can work with over and over again because we often deal with such difficult subject matter and philosophies. We need to be able to discuss these ideas openly so that we can portray them in a way we all feel comfortable with and coming from a place of understanding and knowledge. With Ruby, that's easy because she understands the genre so well and has known Bill for a long time. Isabelle Hupert (Ma Mere, The Piano Teacher) is an actress who really pushes the envelope and tackles startlingly daring subject matter but she does so with such grace and intelligence that although her work is often exploitative, it never comes off as sleaze. She is a great inspiration to me. Professionally, Ruby has been in this business a lot longer than I and she helps me all the time on set, giving me tips, helping me with make-up, you name it, she's there for me. We have a great chemistry together but most importantly for us is that we have so much fun making movies together. I should also mention though that next year I have a few films coming out where I am not exclusively paired with Ruby Larocca. Julian Wells and I share a few scenes in "Flesh for Olivia", Darien Caine and I play double trouble rock chicks in Les Chic (Nick Phillips re-make), and I have a small role as a reporter in the apparently highly anticipated Erotic Werewolf of London, which incidentally was partly shot while I was still living in London. All of these films were shot a few years ago so it will be interesting for me to see how I have progressed as an actress. You can find more info and trailers for these films at www.SeductionCinema.com
DW - In "Bikini Girls", I noticed that you deliver some of your lines with a wide eyed, exaggerated look that is reminiscent of old exploitation films of then fifties and sixties. Was that your intent to mimic these films?
ZM - I have certainly been exposed to many of the exploitation films of that era and it is possible they influenced my performance unwittingly, however, my exaggerated expressions were more drawn from the British television I grew up watching, like Fawlty Towers, and because of the total silliness of the subject matter, I childishly drew upon times where my sister and I would act out fairytale stories as children (I was always the witch!). I felt the performance needed that "over the top" edge but it doesn't seem like too many critics agree! Everyone is taking the film so seriously and I'm like "common guys, it's "Bikini Girls on Dinosaur Planet", what on earth were you expecting?" At the same time we're flattered that people do take our work seriously with our limited means to execute our ideas.
DW - Before starting your film career what did you do?
ZM - I modeled as a teenager but never took it seriously; I was more interested in hanging out with my friends at the beach, listening to rock n' roll, getting stoned. I started studying Psychology and Criminology; I was planning on becoming a psychologist. I still plan to continue my studies in philosophy, theology, psychology, literature and writing, just for my own development as a human being. Film studies wouldn't hurt either. But in the UK I was working in offices, business ya know, supporting my traveling habit.
DW - What do you do when you're not involved in the hectic world of film making?
ZM - When I'm not involved in Electric Daisy Pushers, I am still involved in the industry as I have a part time job working in marketing for an independent production company. I have a natural flair for business and I enjoy the challenge that brings. But otherwise, I'm learning guitar (electric and acoustic), I read about all the above subjects I am passionate about and I watch a copious amount of Food Network TV. Yes, don't let my size fool you'I am extremely passionate about cooking and eating, I spend a lot of time with my head in recipe books and putting my own spin on things. I love to cook for people. We watch a lot of movies and I spend every minute I can outdoors, especially now that the leaves are changing, so beautiful.
DW - Any chance that we will see you directing a film in the future?
ZM - Absolutely. I already have my debut feature's outline written. Most of the films that are coming out of South Africa at the moment are socio-political commentaries on AIDS, crime, race issues, all of which are poignant subjects which need to be expressed for cathartic reasons and to educate the rest of world about South Africa. However, that is not all that Africa is about. My film aims to show people another side to the beautiful country and what it was like to grow up there. It?s a coming of age story, set in paradise with horror used as a metaphor for growing up. It's largely autobiographical so I know how everything needs to be. Self-indulgent? Yes, but it's also emotional, spiritual, geographically stunning and most importantly, it's an entertaining story. They say you should write about what you know.
DW - The company, Electric Daisy Pushers (www.electricdaisypushers.com), that you and your husband, William Hellfire, run have completed the films, Orgasm Torture At Satan's Rape Clinic and the aforementioned The Devil's Bloody Playthings. What is next for your company?
ZM - We have a couple ideas that we are REALLY excited about, one in particular. I'll just say that our next film is in the vein of a Michael Haneke, Gaspar Noe, Takashi Miike film. I am not so arrogant as to compare our work to theirs, what I mean is that the film will take on that kind of tone, "the new horror." The horror of real life. That's what we're into these days. Though, at times, I can barely stand to watch those films as I am so affected by them. For the people who were excited by Devil's because it is such a mature departure from Bill's previous work, I think they'll be blown away by Bill's next move. Mostly everyone has been so supportive of us starting EDP. I think once people realized that we weren't trying to continue Factory 2000 with a new troupe, that when they saw Devil's Bloody Playthings, it wasn't ?"Electric Cord Strangler" part 5. Everyone really got behind us and I tell you, that's a great feeling knowing people are really routing for us. I think people watch Bill's films for his ideas, not to study the camera work, lighting etc. So as a producer, my aim for this next feature is to combine Bill's brilliant ideas, script and directing with quality camera and lighting. I think that's the last piece of the puzzle for Bill to make a truly great film.
DW - With your long, straight hair and slight build has anyone made any comparisons to Misty Mundae yet?
ZM - Yeah, people have commented on our likeness. Actually, once, while we were standing right next to each other, we looked at each other and were like "Really? Ya think so?" We don't really see it too much but I do kind of see the resemblance. I think we both have the innocent look, which is paired with a desire to be natural and look natural. People are also making comparisons because of our relationships with Bill. One a-hole said that I was "attempting to fill the big shoes of Misty Mundae," which is not the case. She is my friend, don't get me wrong, but I hope that people will regard me as an individual with a unique personality, not the next Misty Mundae wannabe.
DW - I love your accent. What other languages do you speak?
ZM - I studied French at school for 5 years, but all South African's had to study Afrikaans (a Dutch derivative) and Zulu ("talking in clicks" as Ruby says). To be honest I don?t remember as much as I should, but when I go back it all comes back to me. (Which incidentally I am going back for a month at the end of the year!)
DW - Is there a role that you would love to play that hasn't crossed your path yet?
ZM - I have a fantasy of acting in a Giallo, like "All the Colours of The Dark" or an Argento movie, mainly for aesthetic reasons, groovy clothes, sets, sexy girls. Or a Hammer Horror Style story. (We actually have a Hammer story idea ourselves). I need to get it out of my system!
DW - What's a typical week like for Zoe Moonshine?
ZM - Oh, I work part-time at my marketing job, which is great fun. I do yoga at home and go for walks as often as the weather allows, and I swim whenever I can. I play guitar, read, watch tons of movies, email my friends and family overseas, hang with my friends here. Often times I attend Bill's band practice on Saturday's, at least to hear what they're working on. I also get drunk, smoke too many cigarettes, and then discuss with [my friend] Nan how we're going on a health kick and we're going to get back on the wagon again! We're at the age, just past all the mad partying, but still keep slipping more often than we'd prefer.
DW - Thank you again for the interview, Zoe.
ZM - Nigiyabonga kakhulu, hambani kahle! (That's "thanks very much and go well" for those of you who don't speak in clicks!)
Electric Daisy Pushers
Factory 2000
Seduction Cinema