The holiday season is an excuse to basically make excuses for getting fucked up, every day. It’s typically absolutely freezing and it’s one way to silence the realisation that another year has passed and you’re (I’m) none the wiser for it. Seeing the opportunity to basically do just this last Christmas, London’s Pacific Palisades (aka Josh Church) armed himself with four friends and enough pills for 12 days. The result? 12 Days, Still – a 21-minute film that follows the group down a rabbit hole of the highs and lows of hedonism. For people familiar with his previous films, 12 Days, Still delivers the anarchistic essence of being young in a city where life’s greatest vices are always within reach, as well as skateboarding and editing that mixes X-Files with old lo-fi VHS tapes. However, he is keen to assert that while drugs play a key part in the film, that it’s not all it’s about. Below, we speak with Palisades about how this happened and how he didn’t die/OD/get really ill, as well as share a teaser from the film. Obviously, don’t try this at home, or work, or anywhere, really.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to say whilst the film does revolve heavily around drugs that is by no means the point or driving factor of the film” – Pacific Palisades

Where did you get the idea for 12 Days, Still?

Pacific Palisades: This wasn't a thing I had planned to do. At the beginning of December, I got paid £2k for a corporate freelance job, leaving me with a bitter commercial taste in my mouth. Basically, I go through periods where I take my camera out with me a lot, and this was one of those periods.

What did your friends think?

Pacific Palisades: Well, this is my alter ego, Pacific Palisades. I did live it for like six months in total. Not having a phone for that whole time, going out a lot etc. My friends regularly take the piss, calling me a pill. Saying you are a pill... pill brain.

What kind of a person is Pacific Palisades?

Pacific Palisades: Stereotypical, single, British male lol

What did you get up to in those 12 days?

Pacific Palisades: So as most people are aware, there’s a lot going on during Christmas, so yes lots of partying. I edited a lot of it during the 12 days, mainly the bits with music.

I feel most of us have lived through similar experiences/scenes, what made you what to document it?

Pacific Palisades: Filming it somehow justified my actions, made me feel less bad.

You took pills for 12 days, tell us how you didn't O.D/die/get really ill?

Pacific Palisades: I’d like to take this opportunity to say whilst the film does revolve heavily around drugs that is by no means the point or driving factor of the film. It’s more about a group of guys going out, trying to get laid over Christmas for 12 days. Slowly realising how weird and depressing the process of doing that is. That’s why the beginning is like a budget game show. Five guys.. 12 days... who will win..

Who were the contestants?

Pacific Palisades: Me, Tobi, Jake, Chris, Alfred. The video is split between a couple of different perspectives, the camera gets passed about quite a lot. The main two are me and my brother. Tobi shot loads. A good bit I like in the film is where it cuts from Jake at a party to me trying to make people suck a lolly pop.

How do you prepare for 12 days of taking drugs?

Pacific Palisades: You don’t. It’s not cool.

Did you ever think, 'nah, I’m not gonna do this today', and almost throw it all in?

Pacific Palisades: Never – 4.20

Why do you think this film resonates with young people, particularly in London so much?

Pacific Palisades: I hope it’s an honest depiction of my time. There’s also so much commercial bullshit going about, I hope more people make independent stuff, whatever it is.

What was the highlight of the 12 Days?

Pacific Palisades: The time I stuck my thumb in a girl’s mouth. Didn’t know who she was. And we started DVC... not me and the girl (DVC is his and Tobi’s collective)

What was the lowlight?

Pacific Palisades: At the end. Mad depressed. No money. Tobi got really ill (alcohol poisoning).

Watch the full film here