By JOSHUA “PROMETHEUS” SCAFIDI

“A young couple unable to conceive travels to a charismatic doctor’s remote facility …”

What could go wrong, you ask? Well, that’s the very question that inspired THE INSTITUTE, a new thriller written by award-winning filmmaker and critically acclaimed playwright Hamza Zaman in his directorial debut.

Recently, we had the opportunity to chat with Zaman and his wife, executive producer and wardrobe designer for the film, Chelsea Roth.

Hi guys, how are you?

Hamza Zaman: Good!

Chelsea Roth: Good, thanks!

You have a movie coming out, THE INSTITUTE! Hamza, you wrote and directed the film. It’s your directorial debut – how did it go?

HZ: Well, we pulled it off! We got distribution, and it’s hitting the market. Overall, we accomplished the promise to our investors!

Being the writer, Hamza, how did you come up with the idea?

HZ: A bit of personal experience. When Chelsea and I were trying to have our first kid, this thought went through my head. Like, will this work, will there be any issues? Then, I realized a lot of people have these thoughts, and a lot of people actually had these issues. So my interest in, kind of, the horror dynamics and predatory behavior I’ve seen out there brought this story to life.

Now, it stars Ignacio Matynia and Victorya Brandart.

HZ: Yup, and Mark Lobene as the doctor.

Hamza, you’re also in it, too!

HZ: (Laughing.) Kind of … I have a brief cameo. It was a COVID film, so the crew was kind of tight. Everyone wore multiple hats. You know … writer, director, lawnmower, garbage man. All kinds of stuff. Chelsea was a producer, costume designer, et cetera.

Chelsea, what was it like designing the costumes?

CR: It was awesome for me. I studied design for theatre, and I was able to cross over pretty easily.

HZ: She won an award for best costume for our last film, Tribe.

Nice! Being husband and wife, how’s the dynamic working together?

HZ: You can go, honey.

CR: (Laughing.) We’ve always, kind of, had projects together. Since the first time we really met, we’ve been collaborating and creating shorts, theatre projects, and dreaming and spitballing. It’s always been a part of our relationship. It’s wonderful to have a feature now.

It’s a huge accomplishment. Congratulations, by the way.

HZ: Three years from writing it to now. It’s been interesting.

How was it working on set?

HZ: It was during COVID, so it was a compressed environment. So everybody was in each other’s hair for about a month or so. Overall, good, given that no one really killed each other, and I didn’t want to murder too many people. What do you think Chelsea? (Laughing.)

CR: Yeah, I think any film shoot has its moments. Overall, I think everyone had a good time.

HZ: We try. We try to raise the bar with catering, and we rented a summer camp. People on their days off went kayaking. There were bonfires almost every night. Some wine with dinner. A game room, and movie nights. Everybody worked hard and did a great job, and then got to unwind.

So, it was basically a mini-vacation?

CR: We were probably about five months into COVID at the time, and half the crew was from New York City and not working as much. I think it added to the experience.

If you had to sell me the film in one sentence, what would you say?

HZ: A young couple who is unable to conceive travels to a charismatic doctor’s remote facility.

Okay. That’s a description, but what sets the film apart?

HZ: The film deals with some interesting issues in a way that nobody has before.

There we go! Now Chelsea, how did you come up with the wardrobe? What was your inspiration?

CR: Well, for Doctor Lands, he’s a little bit over the top, and kind of worldly. He makes reference to the Amazon.

HZ: He’s well-traveled – speaks five different languages.

CR: So I wanted to highlight his eccentricities while keeping the look for him authoritative like a classical doctor. For the outfits handed out inside the institute, I was thinking in terms of a medical uniform but a little more exotic. Also, something that would put the characters outside of their comfort zone.

What’s next for you guys?

HZ: I have a couple of projects going. A couple of screenplays I’m shopping around. As soon as we concentrate on it, we’ll be taking the next steps and moving into pre-production.

Awesome! Keep us in the loop! I appreciate your time guys, it was a pleasure.

HZ: The pleasure was all ours, man! Cheers!

CR: Thanks!

THE INSTITUTE from Gravitas Ventures and Kamikaze Dogfright is available now on VOD, DVD, and Blu-ray.