Peter Firebrace chats about spooky South Freo horror, Of Womb

I may be a bit of a wuss when it comes to horror movies, but I’m so excited for Of Womb to make its way to a local cinema. Shot at a South Freo home and a Chittering farm, I was stopped in my tracks when I saw the film’s trailer the other week – enough to immediately get in touch with Peter Firebrace, the local filmmaker (and ultimate multi-hyphenate) behind the flick.

In less spooky news, I was also so delighted to see that the absolutely adorable Western Pygmy Possum was recently spotted at Karakamia Sanctuary – the first time the itty bitty critter has been seen in over 25 years!

^{Sally Hall, Cultural Editor, Perth is OK!}

“I’ve always loved telling stories that made people a little squeamish.”

New Western Australian horror film Of Womb is about to premiere as part of the upcoming Melbourne International Film Festival program this August – and we had a chat with filmmaker Peter Firebrace about making their debut feature, shot between a spooky South Freo house and the gnarled paperbarks of a Chittering farm.

Written during COVID lockdowns, the atmospheric horror film follows three sisters, raised in isolation on a dilapidated homestead. When their deeply religious, bed-ridden mother dies, the eldest decides to keep it a secret – the sisters’ childish games spiralling into a dark rituals as their mother’s body slowly festers behind closed doors.

“Growing up I had a love for horror,” explains Peter, who wrote, directed, produced, co-edited and composed the film, all on a $100,000 self-funded micro-budget.

This week has something for everyone, from experimental sounds all across Perth, to a few cheeky markets, a mic appointment and the launch of issue four of local magazine Licorice (pictured above)!