Scenes for the post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror comedy "Behind" were filmed in Scotland's Clune Park housing estate, recently demolished and often referred to as "Scotland's Chernobyl." Filmmaker Alessio Avezzano captured some of the last images of the derelict buildings before demolition crews began work in May. The estate, originally built a century ago for shipyard workers, had fallen into disrepair over the years, with most buildings lying empty.
Avezzano described the filming as a race against time, noting, "It's the last film to be made there. It was announced it would be demolished the day we were filming - we managed to get in there not a moment too soon."
The redevelopment of Clune Park had been stalled for years due to a dispute between private landlords and the local council, leaving the area frozen in time with only a few residents remaining. Its dilapidated state led to comparisons with Pripyat, the Ukrainian city abandoned after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The plot of "Behind" was inspired by the phenomenon of "butt dialing," accidentally calling someone from a phone in a back pocket. Avezzano conceived the idea after experiencing frequent accidental calls from a cousin. "It is basically taking the idea of butt dials and what if they were a symptom of something more deadly," he explained. The film incorporates themes of societal responses to the pandemic, phone addiction, and social media dependence, described by Avezzano as a "post-apocalyptic satire."
Avezzano found Clune Park to be an ideal setting for the film, with shooting taking place in publicly accessible areas. The estate has previously served as a filming location for other productions, including scenes for the 2013 sci-fi horror "Under the Skin," starring Scarlett Johansson.
"The idea it was described as Scotland's Chernobyl has always been fascinating," Avezzano commented. He is currently working on his first feature film, "Midgies," a Scottish-set horror film slated for release next year.
"Behind" was entirely self-funded, with the lead role played by Jade McDonald, who previously appeared in "Singin' I'm No a Billy He's a Tim." The short film has been screened at international film festivals, including events in Italy and Argentina, following its premiere at Glasgow Film Festival's Frightfest. It received a nomination for best editing at the Exit 6 Film Festival and won best international short at the Roswell Shorts Festival in New Mexico.
