Alfonso Cuarón Eyes Horror Genre, Reflects on the ‘Harry Potter’ Experience With J.K. Rowling

As a seasoned cinephile with decades of movie-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Alfonso Cuarón is undoubtedly one of the most versatile and daring filmmakers of our time. His career trajectory, marked by both commercial successes and artistic triumphs, is nothing short of inspiring.


During a lecture at the Locarno Film Festival, renowned Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón expressed his fascination with creating a horror movie.

The renowned Mexican movie director, honored with a lifetime achievement prize at Locarno, is celebrated for a wide array of productions, spanning from “Harry Potter and the Azkaban Escape” to “Roma.”

“When it comes to movies, Cuarón expressed his preference for horror films, contrasting this with Guillermo del Toro’s fondness for fantasy and metaphysical terror. Unlike del Toro, Cuarón is drawn to more realistic horror. He’s dabbling in the genre, he mentioned, referencing Roman Polanski’s ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ and ‘The Tenant’ as his inspirations.”

After a distinguished career filled with both commercial hits and creative masterpieces, the director is now considering venturing into horror films. In an earlier conversation, Cuarón talked about his work with J.K. Rowling on “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” At first, the director was reluctant to take up the project, but reading the book eventually convinced him to do it.

He remarked, “What I noticed is that it was fantastic,” he shared, pointing out how J.K. Rowling’s writing delved into the transition from childhood to adolescence and the societal nuances of different classes, beyond just magic. “I adore the world she crafted because it feels so human. Making that film was an absolute pleasure,” Cuaron expressed.

Working on “Harry Potter” was instrumental for Cuarón’s subsequent ventures. As he put it, “I realized that to create ‘Children of Men,’ I would require visual effects. I admitted to myself, I know nothing about visual effects. This will be my kindergarten.” The abilities he honed during the making of “Prisoner of Azkaban” eventually influenced his work on the dystopian thriller “Children of Men” and the space drama “Gravity.”

Cuaron contemplated the commercial flop of “Children of Men” when it first came out, which had a negative impact on his career. This disappointment eventually prompted him to develop “Gravity,” a film idea aimed at rejuvenating his career by making it more appealing to audiences.

During the masterclass, Cuarón underscored the significance of reinventing oneself and pushing one’s limits as a director. He characterized his technique for “Roma,” which earned him an Oscar for best director, as a radical departure from his past practices. “I wrote the script,” he explained, “but the rule was that I wouldn’t revise it, no second chances.” After setting aside the script, he filmed the movie chronologically, allowing the actors to learn their roles on a daily basis.

The unusual method, though inspiring creatively, ended up being emotionally taxing for the director. “I hadn’t anticipated the impact it would have as I recreated my childhood surroundings,” Cuaron admitted. “It felt like stepping into a hospital ward and undergoing electric shocks.”

In October 11th, Alfonso Cuarón’s new venture, titled “Disclaimer,” will debut on Apple TV+. This captivating series features the talents of Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline in prominent roles.

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2024-08-11 21:16