I had the opportunity to speak with one of the film's most popular stars, Cerina Vincent, during the week right after "Cabin Fever" opened. Here's what she had to say about filming the shower scene, working with Eli Roth, and the popularity of the movie:
What was the atmosphere like working on "Cabin Fever?"
It was insane. Our crew went on strike halfway through shooting the film and so we got shut down for a couple of days. I think that they thought we had this money, but we shot this movie – it was an independent film – for $1.5 million, which is great because it doubled that the first day it opened.
And made over $8 million during its opening weekend…
I know!
Did that surprise you?
Yes and no. It’s a really good film.
Your "Cabin Fever" director, Eli Roth, is crazy to interview. Is that how he was on the set?
That’s what it was like on set every day, having Eli there doing his 'Eli Show.' He’s very focused; he knew exactly what he wanted throughout the whole film. He’s the best storyteller ever and I think that’s why the movie turned out so good. He kind of held everything together on the set.
When you looked at that script and saw all the gore and the nudity and the sex, what was your first reaction?
I did have a moment of, “I don’t know about this,” and then my second moment was, “I have to do this.”
Were you a fan of 70's horror movies before making “Cabin Fever?”
I wasn’t really but I am now. I really wasn’t before just because I was too young. I didn’t see any of those, but I like them so much better than this new horror thing we’ve been having the last 10 years.
Eli Roth was saying he thinks this movie will allow a lot of other horror directors to get their projects greenlit. Do you see that happening from this?
I hope so, I hope it does. There are so many amazing independent scripts out there that just need to be made. Some of these movies that the big studios put millions and millions of dollars into... There’s a stack of independent scripts that are amazing. I really hope that that happens.
The scene everyone talks about is your shaving scene. Can you tell me what it was like filming that scene?
It was complicated. I think about it every time I shave my legs. I’m not kidding (laughing). It felt really real because I was sitting in this bathtub full of bloody, chunky, disgusting water. It was freezing cold and I felt very alone. It was complicated to shoot and it was disturbing.
How much input did Eli Roth give you?
I had done my own work before I got there on my character from the script. But he definitely knew exactly how he wanted each of us.
During "Cabin Fever's" opening weekend, you were one of the most searched for people on the Internet. How does that make you feel?
I heard that today. Things are a little different; it’s interesting how things can change. It’s fun.
What’s your next project?
We’re starting to shoot this movie called “Funeral Channel,” which is an independent movie. It’s about a cable network that broadcasts celebrity funerals. We have a bunch of celebrity cameos. It’s a dark, dark comedy and it’s really funny.
Who do you play?
I play an intern at the main funeral channel station.
Who is the director?
We don’t know yet. There are a couple of people in the running that they’re deciding between right now.
