Dark Woods

Tracy Coogan has taken part in several feature films and plays throughout the world; now, this actress takes time out from a busy shooting schedule to talk about her central role as Susan Branch in the film "Dark Woods." This Irish born actress and producer has a connection to Canadian horror fans as her parents met and were married in Toronto, Ontario. Taking part in several upcoming films including the sex comedy “Good Guys Finish Last,” a dark comedy “The Devil in the kitchen,” and now appearing in romantic thriller “Dark Woods,” Tracy Coogan talks about her preparation for her role as a wife with cancer, hope in dark subject matter, and collaborating with Olivia Tracey on her latest project "Devil in the Kitchen."

Coogan’s list of acting credits is extensive and includes theatre performances in world renowned plays and films. Starring in the rugged Irish comedy “The Playboy of the Western World,” and timeless classic and thriller “Colleen Bawn,” at the New York Theatre Coogan later branched out to perform at the Irish Repertory Theatre. Woody Allen would cast her in his satire of Hollywood actors “Celebrity,” and now she can be seen in Jake Kennedy’s “Penance.”

Constantly creating Tracy Coogan will reprise her role as Denise from “Zombie Honeymoon,” in the currently unannounced “ZH2.” “Dark Woods,” will be Coogan’s eleventh feature film to date and Coogan has a lot to say about this psychological thriller that releases later this year. Have a look at Coogan’s film career, life, and work with several well known actors, actresses, and filmmakers in this one of kind interview.

(28DLA) Can you tell me a little bit your role in "Dark Woods," as Susan Branch?

(Tracy Coogan) “Susan is losing a battle with cancer. At this point now her disease is pretty advanced. She has gone past the point of no return. She is coming to terms with her marriage in the last part of her life. So, Henry takes her to their cabin to spend the last part of her life there. He wants to take care of her and he wants to take care of her on his own. I do not have the experience of coming to terms with a death of a close partner. I like the possibility of hope. The characters are holding on to the possibility of her getting better."

(28DLA) What kind of hope is there in the film as “Dark Woods,” deals with some darker subject matter?

(Coogan) “It is an interesting question. For Susan who dies there is hope. The hope, even with the possibility of death there is a letting go. The film does have some fairly dark subjects. Yet, do we hope these characters move on? We hope that they realize something more.

It is so funny I watched a screening of the film recently and some of the cuts did not make it into the film. The whole process when you are shooting, it is an interesting one, everuthing comes together on some level."

(28DLA) Does Henry get romantically involved with the young girl?

(Coogan) “That is not what you want to hear. There is that want that he cannot have fulfilled with Susan. Sometimes we find with characters and reality people get lost along the way. And this is what happens between Aleisha and Henry. There is some definite sexual tension between the characters. Is it right for Henry to approach Alicia? Morally that is up to the viewer. What do you do in this situation? What do you do when you are confronted with infidelity?"

(28DLA) Are there any other projects you would like to talk about? Right now you are working on “Devil in the Kitchen,” with your husband Herbert M. Brindl. Can you talk a little bit more about that project?

“Herbert wrote the script, ‘Devil in the Kitchen,’it is the screenplay of his short story ‘The Rescue,’ an almost autobiographical account of his adventures in the kitchen.

We also have Ollivia Tracey in the picture. I can remember watching Olivia Tracey when she won Miss Ireland; I remember watching her on television. We eventually crossed paths in Los Angeles as we were both in films that were at the same film festival. She ws in ‘Red Roses and Petrol,’ and I was in 'Zombie Honeymoon.' She is a big part of this project and we are really honored that she is a part of the film! Recently, she was voted 2009s Irish Woman of the Year by the Irish Fair Committee in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles. She is absolutely amazing, she is so down to earth, and she is gracious!

'The Devil in the kitchen,' will be directed by award winning German director Boris Schaarshmidt from 'Green,' and 'Return to Sender.' We are also very proud to have composer Patrick Kirst attached to 'The Devil...,' who wrote additional music for Disneys recently released documentary 'Earth.' He has also worked with Aaron Zigman on 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," and 'Sex and the City: the Movie." He will also score the upcoming Swiss-German co-production 'Der Grosse Kater (The Great Cat),' which includes a European all-star cast led by award winning actor Bruno Ganz from 'Downfall.'"


(28DLA) I read that “The Devil in the kitchen,” is a comedy. Is the film horror in any way or a spoof?

(Coogan) “It is not a spoof, not at all! It is dedicated to all chefs and food critics around the world. It is a twisted dark restaurant comedy where you will find elements of horror, romance, and suspense."

(28DLA) Are there any roles that you would like to take part in for the future?

(Coogan) “'A Woman Under the Influence,' a John Cassevetes movie starring Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk. I like these types of roles. I do not want them to do a remake, God no, but if I had to choose roles those would be the types I am after. 'Francis,' 'Le Vie en Rose,' what a dream role for Marion Cotillard. I am drawn to these roles. I like the psychological aspect of these roles and there is so much to learn for these types of roles.

For Susan I researched a lot and talked to a lot of people. How does mental illness affect someone? I watched a lot of documentaries. She is dealing with a lot of dementia. She is foretelling her future. It was fun to research for that role. I watched a documentary on Alzheimers for this role. It is a lot of work and it is exciting! There is a lot to show. That is what scares me with these types of roles; I want to make sure I do it the best I can. How do you portray the physical aspect? Everybody is different. I would love to explore those types of roles a lot more. I like the idea of the audience being inside of that character, their mind…”

For more information on Tracy Coogan and her film productions have a look at her homepage here…

Tracy Coogan Homepage

Also, for more information on “Dark Woods,” including cast and crew check here…

Dark Woods at IMDB

And for information on Tracy Coogan’s forthcoming film project, with husband and talent promoter Herbert M. Brindl, visit “The Devil in the Kitchen,” here…

The Devil in the Kitchen Official Homepage

Posted in: 2009,actress,dark woods,death,ghost story,herbert m. brindl,interview,irish,olivia tracey,patrick kirst,plot,preparation,roles,the devil in the kitchen,thriller,tracy coogan