Exclusive Interview – Ari Millen discusses Ice Cream Man and Death of a Yellow Bird

      At Fan Expo Canada, we had the opportunity to chat with Ari Millen, the star of *Ice Cream Man*, about the Eli Roth horror film that the renowned filmmaker had considered for many years before bringing it to the big screen. Millen portrays Jonathan Smiley, a character who remains silent yet takes pleasure in handing out ice cream and sweet treats to children from his ice cream truck, although his enigmatic presence makes some of the kids uneasy.

      *The Ice Cream Man* was shot in Hamilton, Ontario, and Millen shared his thoughts on the significance of Roth coming to Canada to work with a local team. “This project was really a dream for a prominent Hollywood figure to come here. He is remarkably down to earth and very open to any suggestions. This is an idea he’s nurtured for 20 years, so I anticipated he would be a bit of a micromanager, but that wasn't the case. He had complete faith in us to bring it to life, and the people he gathered around us, as seen at this event, are warm and passionate about making the film.”

      In his past roles in productions like *Orphan Black*, *Vicious Fun*, and *The Oak Room*, Millen played characters who were quite talkative or full of energy, which is a notable shift for him with the role of Smiley. “The Ice Cream Man does not utter a word. My challenge was to convey his emotions through my eyes, facial expressions, and the situations he finds himself in. Eli is incredibly collaborative and supportive. The entire cast and crew, especially the kids with their vibrant imaginations, made it easy for me. The setting was already established, so I didn’t need to exert my imagination.”

      Millen's upcoming film, *Death of a Yellow Bird*, is set to be released next month. Co-written and directed by Cody Calahan (known for *Let Her Out*), this project holds personal significance for both of them. “The inception of that film originates from a deeply personal space. Cody and I have known each other since birth, and we share a long history. We began our journey in acting and filmmaking together as kids, drawing from real life and fictionalizing other elements, filming in his childhood home where we discovered our passion and ran around the woods with a camcorder creating films. I am truly excited for it to finally be unveiled.”

      According to Millen, *Death of a Yellow Bird* “centers on a man grappling with a cancer diagnosis and his efforts to come to terms with his past while telling his son. There was a profound sense of catharsis for both of us during this journey, making it something incredibly special.”

      *The Ice Cream Man* is currently in theaters, while *Death of a Yellow Bird* will make its debut on September 17th at Fantastic Fest. Be sure to check out our complete interview on the Flickering Myth YouTube channel (and don’t forget to subscribe!)...