Portrait of a Zombie

Lore & Background

During a zombie outbreak in Ireland, an American documentary film crew become interested in the story of a local Irish family who decide to keep their zombie-turned son a part of the family. When the film crew arrives in Ireland, they discover that the family's decision has angered their neighbors and a local crime boss. As tempers rise, the Americans document the controversy. The film was originally more of a genre film, but budget constraints meant that director Bing Bailey needed to turn it into a hybrid of mockumentary and genre film. Bailey said that he wanted to 'have his Evil Dead experience'.

Reader's Guide

Portrait of a Zombie stands as a modest but distinctive entry in the zombie film subgenre, notable for its Irish setting and its focus on familial acceptance rather than pure survival horror. The film's production history—shot in three separate blocks in 2009, 2010, and 2011, with an 18-month post-production—reflects the challenges of independent filmmaking. Critics such as Mark L. Miller of Ain't It Cool News praised it as 'a mix of comedy, gore, drama, and action that works in ways few others have,' while Richard von Busack of Metro Silicon Valley wrote that the film 'stands comparison to Shaun of the Dead itself.' Its legacy lies in its hybrid form and its exploration of social tensions during a zombie outbreak.

Did You Know?

• The film was shot in October 2009, May 2010, and May 2011 due to a revamp of the initial concept.
• Pre-production was done over the Internet because director Bing Bailey was living in the United States at the time.
• Post-production took 18 months.
• The film premiered at the 2012 Cinequest Film Festival.