David Farrier Talks The Macabre And His Netflix Series “Dark Tourist”

July 28, 2018

Written by Kelli Marchman McNeely

Kelli Marchman McNeely is the owner of HorrorFuel.com. She is an Executive Producer of "13 Slays Till Christmas" which is out on Digital and DVD and now streaming on Tubi. She has several other films in the works. Kelli is an animal lover and a true horror addict since the age of 9 when she saw Friday the 13th. Email: horrorfuelinfo@gmail.com

Earlier this week I was scrolling through Netflix looking for something to watch. I was hoping to find something dark and interesting. I came across a new series, “Dark Tourist” and it fit the bill. I had no idea just how interesting it would be. The series, currently on the “Trending” list, follows host David Farrier as he travels to dark tourist locations, including many dangerous ones. After binge-watching season one of the show I had to talk to David, luckily, he was willing to answer some questions.
 
“Dark Tourist” takes David to locations like Japan’s Suicide Forest and Fukushima. We watch as he spends time with a killer, he participates in a Voodoo initiation, and he took part in burial rites that include sacrifices and we see a family dig up the dead to pay their respects and to redress them. Now, we have our fingers crossed for a second season.
 
 


 
David Farrier wears a lot of hats. He’s not only the host of “Dark Tourist”, he’s a writer, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. He’s the same filmmaker behind the documentary Tickled which is also streaming on Netflix. In the film, he explores the “competitive” world of tickling, which brought down a storm on legal issues. You can find out more about that and his other projects by visiting David’s website.
 
Horror Fuel: “You went through a lot of extreme and terrifying things in season one of Dark Tourist, including Voodoo rituals, spending time with a hitman, and going inside radioactive locations. What was the most frightening thing to you?”
 
David: “Mckamey Manor, because I’ve watched videos of Russ’s extreme haunt for a while. I couldn’t tell if he was a psychopath or if he was acting. I was watching people come out crying, bruised, and bloody.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “I imagine. I’m sure hanging out with Popeye, Pablo Escobar’s enforcer was a bit unsettling as well.”
 
David: “Popeye was an odd guy. He was so charismatic and likable even though he killed over 200 people, including his pregnant girlfriend. I wouldn’t want to spend too much time with him. He’s back in jail now. I’m not sure for what. He pushed things and got threatening with people while I was there. I don’t think he feels any remorse. I think he looks back on those times as the good old days. He was definitely interesting.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “You came face to face with death a lot in season one, even being part of a celebration where a family dug up their grandmother, went to an exorcism, and you visited Japan’s “Suicide Forest”. Did your experiences affect the way you see death now?”
 
 
David: “I was terrified of dying. I don’t want to leave this place, but now I’m more at peace with the concept of death. We in the west don’t talk about death. We are quick to bury someone when they die. I think confronting it makes it less scary. The burial rites you mentioned take place once a year in Indonesia. The dead are redressed and it is done with respect.  They were excited, the children were excited. It’s good to be reminded that we do things differently. It was a good takeaway.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “I can respect that. I guess it’s all about what culture you come from. If you are raised to see something as normal, then you will always see it that way. I imagine they would see our grieving process just as odd as we see theirs.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “What was the strangest behind-the-scenes moment that we didn’t see?”
 
 
David: “There was a moment in Japan when we were around Fukushima. Our driver Yo told us about a site where the radioactivity was much higher than everywhere else. I don’t know why, but I got off the bus and it was 50 times higher. That stands out. We didn’t even get it on camera. I don’t know why I did it.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “Wow, that sounds very dangerous. I’m glad that it didn’t make you sick.”
 
 
David: “In Cyprus, we were taken to the police station. Our passports were taken and we were split up. I could hear someone screaming down the hall. We were able to get out eventually, but it was frustrating. ”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “I’m sure. Being that far away from home and detained like that it had to be scary.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “I have to ask about something, there were a lot of animal deaths in season one. How did  you handle that?”
 
David: “My dad is a vet. If I made another documentary it would probably be about him. I saw a whole lot of pigs slaughtered. It makes you look at yourself. We are carnivores. We eat at McDonald’s but never think about where it comes from. It’s all a balance of different cultures and various animal rights. I think in the west we have issues as well.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “What can fans expect in season 2?”
 
 
David: “If we get season 2 depends on how Dark Tourist does on Netflix. Right now we are trending.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “You’ll get a second season I’m sure. I’ve seen the fantastic response of fans on social media.”
 
 
David:” We have a huge document of places we didn’t get to go and want to, and places we’ve learned about. All I can say is we will take it up a notch. There’s no end to the diversity and the macabre. Our whole team is ready. If you liked the real vampires this season, well, we’re going to take it to a whole new level.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “That’s what I want to hear. I can’t wait to see what dark place you lead us to next.”
 
 
Horror Fuel “Is there a spot you dream of visiting?”
 
 
David: “I would really like to go to Chernobyl.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “That would be a good episode. I hear it’s really frightening at night.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “I know fans have been making requests and recommending places to visit. I would love to see an episode of Dark Tourist that travels to the Czech Republics’ “Skull Church”.”
 
 
David: “I was just there as a regular tourist. I went a month ago.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “So, jealous.”
 
 
David: “It was beautiful. I believe they began putting skulls on the wall in 1841. There are something like 20 thousand skeletons. It is majestic. They don’t hide death.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “I’ve seen a lot of pictures, but I would love to see it on video and learn more about it. I have to agree, it’s beautiful, but I imagine that it is incredible in person.”
 
 
David: “It is.”
 
 
Horror Fuel: “What have you been doing since the series wrapped?”
 
 
David: “I’m still recovering, doing research for if we get a second season and various other things.”
 
I look forward to seeing season two of “Dark Tourist”. I really hope Netflix renews the series.
It’s fascinating to watch David and his team explore some of the darkest places on earth, places that I will never likely be able to visit myself.
 
The series raises the question, why are we drawn to the darker sides of life and cultures? I can’t help but think that it is part of our coping mechanism to face death. Maybe if we see enough darkness our fears of dying will fade and we will make peace with it. What do you think? Let us know.
 
“Dark Tourist” is now streaming on Netflix and it’s a show you don’t want to miss. Be sure to follow the series on Facebook as well as David. You can also find “Dark Tourist” and David on Twitter and Instagram.
 
 

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