As Astron-6’s star rises with their wild, ridiculous exploitation feature FATHER’S DAY, Fango caught up with the lead actress in the midst of all the madness, Amy Groening. In light of her appearance at Toronto’s Fright Nights screening of the film this Saturday, June 9, Groening talks making the indie and its ever growing cult.

"The urban legend known as 'The Father's Day Killer' began some years after the demise of serial rapist/murderer Chris Fuchman. Since the 1970s, the use of contraceptives has tripled in North America alone and a generation of fathers fell asleep with the covers pulled tight, buttocks clenched. The story has become a fire-side cautionary ritual on camping trips, often used by fathers to warn their sons of the dangers of unplanned pregnancy. That deep seeded fear of penetration, violation and eventually death waned as the murder and rape of fathers continued to decline all over the world. Unfortunately those numbers didn't remain low, and it would seem that the legend is not yet complete… Ahab, a man obsessed with exacting a brutal, violent revenge on the man who murdered his dad, joins John, an eager priest and Twink, a hot-headed street hustler on an epic quest to find and defeat this mythical monster known as Chris Fuchman AKA The Father's Day Killer."

FANGORIA: How did you first get involved with FATHER'S DAY and the Astron-6 crew?

AMY GROENING: I first met Astron-6 because Matt was the teacher’s assistant in my first year university acting class. Shortly afterwards, he asked me if I'd like to play the role of "girl #2" in COOL DAN, which he was making that weekend. Little did I know that girl #2's sole job was to make out with Matt while he and Connor held hands. Needless to say, we all became fast friends and I've been embarrassing myself with Astron-6 ever since.

FANG: Tell us a bit about your character Chelsea.

GROENING: She's a self-made independent woman who runs with a fucked up crew of misfits. I think she'll make a really solid mother to Satan in FATHER’S DAY II. Oops, did I just give something away?

FANG: If there is a common theme in FATHER'S DAY, it’s that the Astron-6 boys like to push buttons and boundaries. This film has everything from bloody rapes, self-mutilation, incest and suicide and yet it’s basically a comedy. What did you think of the material when you were handed the script?

GROENING: I thought it was hilarious and made zero sense. Although, the first script of FATHER’S DAY was nothing like the final product. Now it makes a bit of sense.

FANG: The film is most unusual that it has five directors. What was it like working with that framework and did the A6 guys fall into different aspect of directing?

GROENING: Well, they all handle and direct different things. When we were shooting green screen for the hell scenes or doing special FX, Steve is the man. When Adam and I were having incestuous relations, it was Matt and Conor were peeking through the motel window. You know, it goes like that. They trade off depending on their expertise, or who slept with who in real life.

FANG: I guess the added challenge was that all three of your co-stars were also the directors. You must have felt like Carol Cleveland with the Python's sometimes I bet?

GROENING: Hey thanks! That's an honor to even be referred to as Carol Cleveland, though sadly I don't think that Amy Cleavage really suits me.

FANG: Did you find they had all the same general direction or did it contradict each other often?

GROENING: In terms of directing me, I think they were all too busy fixing their hair and eye patches to notice much. But their direction for the film on a whole did not go without some epic squabbles. But that's what happens when five boys are making up a story as they film it with a 10K budget.

FANG: You recently did a guest spot on the TV series TODD AND THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, what was that show like to work on?

GROENING: it was fantastic! After FATHER’S DAY you feel like royalty if you're working on something that actually has a budget. But yeah I got paid to be popular and get eaten by a birthday cake, what more can a girl ask for?

FANG: What do you have next coming up?

GROENING: The hockey blockbuster GOON was just released to DVD this week, so definitely check me out in that. I play the incredibly bad anthem singer. Other than that, I’m working on some short films over the next few months and hopefully some more TV work this summer. And there's always the chance that Astron-6 will write a role for me as "homeless lady #3" in their next feature.

If you are in the Toronto area, Amy Groening will be in attendance for the Toronto screening of FATHER'S DAY part of the monthly Fright Nights at The Projection Booth series on June 9th.

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