Juan Carlos Fresnadillo interview
Director of horror film "Death Eaters" Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and the main actor Clive Owen answered questions in interview from the resource ShockTillYouDrop.
- How did the project "Eaters" appear: whether it was entirely your idea, or there was a script?
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo: It was an idea that from the very beginning, we have developed with the writers. It was to do some research on the origin of fear, and how we, as kids, create monsters, and how these monsters are associated with our parents and our family secrets.
- The concept of "Hollow Face" is based on a myth, like the Spanish or the Boogeyman is the essence of the original?
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo: I think this is a unique mix of fabulous monsters, plus something new, individual, personal, and that got my attention. I think that means the monster we have tried to give human form of danger, humanize it, so to speak.
- Clive, you starred in a number of genre films, but hardly in your filmography is a classic horror with supernatural elements. So, how long have been interested in this genre?
Clive Owen: No, it's Juan Carlos sent me the script and I liked the material. I'm not looking for something like that, and frankly, studying the script, I did not perceive it in terms of horror. When I read it, I was more interested in the psychological background of the history and ideas that are explored by Juan Carlos. I am a big fan of the works of Juan Carlos. I've seen "28 Weeks Later" and "Intact" and I really liked both pictures, so I just wanted to shoot from this director.
- The film consists of two parts: the first takes place in Spain, and the second - in England. You shot them one by one?
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo: Yes, first we shot English part, and then - Spanish. I would like to do the opposite, but by necessity required it. But the idea was to jump from one part of the film to another.
- Without going into details, it is worth noting that both stories are really affect each other. So, was it difficult for you to play your part, not being aware of what is happening in Spain?
Clive Owen: No, not really. I think it had more value for Juan Carlos. I met a boy of Spanish history, but in reality we just played our roles. I do not think that if I first saw what was happening in Spain, it would be fundamental importance for me.
- As an actor you needed a special approach to your roles in this film, where we are confronted with supernatural things, for which it is impossible to say for sure - whether they exist either in reality or not?
Clive Owen: I think that in the films of this genre really needs some intense acting, because you are trying to bring people to the incessant fear, and the heat intensity of the events happening. This can often be difficult any emotional dialogue spoken in an ordinary film. That's why I think that Ella Purnell is so good in "Eater": she skillfully conveys her emotional state, which is the center of our history, but in reality it is more difficult than it might seem at first glance.
- Your film of those who watch and believe that supernatural events can take place ...
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo: Yes, because I wanted to show how our growing monster, and his stories there is some progress. Without giving details of the plot, I would say that in the beginning it appears to us certain being a ghost, and then turns into something physical. It was important to see and understand how time makes the monster more dangerous at all levels. That is why in the end, our monster is a ghostly substance that creates a sense of physical presence.
- Working on the same platform with the young actors, it was not easy.
Clive Owen: The danger of working with young colleagues is that if you're "too" prepared for their roles in their background, you'll look like an actor. They act instinctively. They are much more inexperienced, and if you're planning something complicated in a scene with them, they will expose you. They make you look fake, so you kind of need to stoop to their level to play with them for real.
- "Eaters" are also interesting by its mixture of Spanish and English cultures.
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo: This is the kind of global history. It is based on the concept that I wanted to share with the audience, and it lies in the fact that, no matter how far you may be gone from your roots, no matter how much you have changed your life - your nightmares follow you everywhere. Therefore, the film takes place in two different geographical locations and two different cultures, because on many levels, we wanted to demonstrate idea of how we go through life with our nightmares.