Grace McNeal and Joanna Clarke in “Lil Hell.” Photo by Amber Chilton

There’s a unique appeal to horror movies. Tapping, as the best ones do, into viewers’ conscious – or even better, subconscious – fears, a horror movie gets under your skin … and grows. But, you know, in a fun way.

Portland’s own Damnationland has gotten under Maine moviegoers’ collective flesh for 14 years now. Founded in 2010 by a small cabal of Maine filmmakers, the Maine-made, Maine-shot anthology of horror and dark fiction films has become an annual event signaling the impending Halloween season with its signature blend of scruffy local terrors and down-home Maine talent.

Which brings us to Portland actress turned Damnationland filmmaker Joanne Clarke. A fixture of the Maine theater and movie scene (at Portland’s Out There Theater Company, among others), Clarke has acted in five Damnationland shorts over the years before making her own, “Lil Hell,” for this year’s edition, premiering at Portland’s State Theater on Friday, Oct. 18.

GATEWAY TO HORROR

Clarke doesn’t consider herself a horror person.

“I was sort of the opposite,” she said. “I started doing theater when I was 7 and I grew up in a conservative home that didn’t love violence in movies. It was Damnationland that really got me involved in the genre.”

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Clark’s Damnationland journey to the dark side began when she went to the State Theater to see the 2014 Damnationland. Since then, she’s acted in Damnationland shorts like “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” “Miss Blueberry Beauty Pageant,” “The Night Mare,” “Do It Yourself,” and “Spooky Twins.” (All Damnationland DVDs can be found for sale at damnationland.bandcamp.com/merch.)

A certified super-fan, Clarke entered a trailer-making contest for the festival back in 2015, while her “micro-short” called “Something Blue” was one of the interstitials linking 2023’s anthology.

Said the initially horror-averse actor and director, “In one Damnationland interstitial, I played a mother who ate her child. Later, in ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears,’ I played another mother who does bad things to a child. I don’t know what to say – I’m a very good person.”

‘GOOD FOR HER’

While loath to spoil any of her film’s major twists, the details Clarke shares about “Lil Hell” are enticing enough. “It’s about a woman who goes on a fateful journey and realizes, ‘Oh no, I’m in hell.’ She doesn’t know why she’s there and meets up with a very unexpected group. It’s sort of influenced by Greek and Norse mythology, with a little ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Eventually she tries to go back to Earth and realizes she likes it much more in hell.”

If all that sounds a bit cheeky, Clarke points to her film as part of the “bubblegum horror” genre. Defined as horror with a deceptively colorful and bright visual palette, these movies sneak up on viewers with their deceptive darkness. Many bubblegum horror films feature a decidedly female point-of-view and main characters, a trait Clarke is excited to spring on this year’s Damnationland audience.

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“I call it ‘Good for her’ horror,” explained Clarke, “horror where revenge is sweet, I guess. My movie is about presenting the beautiful ways how a woman, after sacrificing a lot, comes out on top in the end. I don’t want to necessarily call it ‘feminist,’ but …”

RAISING ‘HELL’

Filmed over three jam-packed 8- to 10-hour days, “Lil Hell” represents Clarke’s first real exposure to the other side of the camera. It’s an experience that taught her a lot about just how supportive Mainers both in and outside the local film industry can be.

“The first day, we filmed at Mad Horse Theater Company. Day 2 saw us filming at the mother’s house of one of the crew. She was so happy to let us use her hot tub, which was amazing. That was a pipe dream, and I’d resigned myself to using a pool for one scene, but that would have been freezing. Then we moved to Steel in Motion dance studio, which is the frickin’ coolest place. Shout out to everybody who donated their space.”

Clarke’s also full of praise for her cast and crew, all of whom jumped at the chance to bring their talents to Clarke’s appropriately out-there vision.

“I was able to get some of the best comedic serious actors in town. Our lead, Grace McNeal, just got back to Maine and hasn’t been able to show off yet. I’m excited to share her talents with the State Theatre. Tom Haushalter, who plays a character called Lucy who’s sort of a spin on the Devil, is pretty new to the Portland acting scene but, my God, is he making a splash. And Jericah Potvin – I’m so excited to watch her shine.”

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As for the shoot, Clarke also can’t wait for viewers to see how assistant director and editor Samuel Carlson and colorist and director of photography Bodhi Ouellette brought her striking scares to life on the big screen. “They were amazing,” said Clarke, adding with a laugh, “It’s proof that men do understand when women are describing things.”

Not that everything was smooth sailing, as Clarke shares how a trip to urgent care brought home for her just how prepared a low-budget filmmaker has to be.

“The only injury was me,” admitted Clarke. “I did not wear closed-toed shoes one day and paid the price. I’d always wondered why they put the name of the nearest hospital on call sheets, and now I know. Call it my blood sacrifice.”

Joanna Clarke’s “Lil Hell” will premiere as part of this year’s 14th annual all-Maine horror anthology festival Damnationland on Friday, Oct. 18, at the State Theatre in Portland. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show and $10 for students. Get them at the statetheatreportland.com – you know, if you dare.

Dennis Perkins is a freelance writer who lives in Auburn with his wife and cat.

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