Cannes’ Fantastic Pavilion: Ghost Ships, Cursed Furniture, and Mexican Horror Take Center Stage

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As the Marché du Film nears, the Fantastic Pavilion is back in Cannes for its third installment, promising an exciting and expansive showcase. This time around, it’s ready to present a crisp lineup of chilling horror, captivating fantasy, and intriguing genre films hailing from various parts of the world.

This year, the Pavilion boasts six films in its Fantastic Galas lineup, solidifying its status as a key player in global genre cinema – an increasingly sought-after field at today’s major film markets. Additionally, it fosters a wide variety of emerging talent and showcases regional highlights along with cross-cultural collaborations that are continually reshaping the face of horror cinema.

One of the hot topics is “Turkish Coffee Table” (also known as “Cam Sepha”), a gripping psychological thriller from Turkey, directed by Can Evrenol. This film is a reimagining of Caye Casas’ Spanish original, the controversial hit “La Mesita del Comedor” (“The Coffee Table”). Acquiring the remake rights for this project was a significant moment for the Pavilion; they were secured during last year’s IP Remake Showcase.

In this fresh interpretation, the movie is set against a distinctly Turkish backdrop, delving into the emotional decay of a young couple following the birth of a child and the addition of an apparently innocent household item. Evrenol’s remake generates a sense of existential unease using domestic confinement, making it the inaugural production under the Morbidogate label – a collaboration between Globalgate and the Morbido Group.

Originating from Mexico, the film “Talking to a Stranger” by Adrián García Bogliano features Gigi Saul Guerrero in a chilling supernatural story about sorrow and psychological fracture. In this movie, Guerrero portrays Patricia, a character grappling with despair as spectral apparitions seep into her dreams and aim to destroy her family from the inside out.

This year’s Fantastic Focus, a fresh initiative highlighting Mexico’s genre cinema, is being spearheaded by the movie produced by Mórbido Films and Corazón Films. The film serves as the main attraction for the Pavilion’s festivities honoring Mexico’s emerging horror pioneers, a group that includes notable figures such as Guerrero, García Bogliano, Javier Colinas, Sofia Garza-Barba, and Alex Kahuam. All of them are scheduled to attend this year’s event.

In “The Remedy,” Kahuam steps into the spotlight, presenting a spine-tingling tale where a frantic individual summons an age-old, carnivorous spirit to rescue a cherished loved one on the brink of death. The movie boasts a strong ensemble comprising Timothy Granaderos (“13 Reasons Why”), London Thor (“Gen V”), and horror veteran Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water”). Kahuam Films and Breakwall Pictures collaborate in the production of “The Remedy,” emphasizing Pavilion’s increasing importance as a platform for connecting Latin American artists with international filmmaking resources.

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The Spanish-language horror genre remains dominant, with “The OSHA Rule” (“La Regla de OSHA”), directed by Ángel González, leading the way. This film is set in the gritty urban landscapes of Latin America and combines Santería mysticism with gangland drama. The story follows a young thief and his sister as they navigate supernatural retribution. Equally grounded in reality and the metaphysical, it features Mariela Garriga and Edgar Vittorino, and was produced by Sangre Yoruba AIE in collaboration with RTVE.

Fans of traditional genres will find plenty to enjoy in the gothic horror film “Ancestral,” which hails from Spain and is directed by Pablo Aragüés and Marta Cabrera. In this movie, Almudena Amor (“The Good Boss”) plays Carla, a woman who returns to her ancestral village, where she discovers a dark legacy of women’s oppression and supernatural retribution. Redwood Films produced “Ancestral,” a film that skillfully combines folklore, female suffering, and nerve-wracking suspense.

Completing our lineup is the metaphysical survival horror titled “Eyes of the Abyss,” produced by Argentina’s Daniel de la Vega. Comparable to a blend of “The Thing” and “Hell in the Pacific,” this movie revolves around a soldier who awakens on a drifting warship in the South Atlantic, surrounded by deceased bodies and haunted by spectral peril. Verónica Intile heads the cast, and despite being in post-production, it has garnered attention with screenings at BIF Market and Blood Window events.

In addition to its glamorous Gala events, the Pavilion is also refining its forward-thinking industry programming. The Fantastic Round Robin is making a comeback in an extended version, featuring eight carefully selected projects being presented to top sales agents and distributors during private meetings. Once again, the IP Remake Showcase will be held, offering ten titles that are available for international remake rights. This event has previously led to “Turkish Coffee Table” and helps maintain the Pavilion’s reputation as a bustling marketplace for genre deals.

In its third year, the Fantastic Pavilion has evolved from an innovative trial to a significant mainstay at Cannes, attracting more than 2,600 visitors in 2024. It offers cocktail receptions, discussions on funding and diversity, a new partnership with Yes She Cannes, and the ever-popular Fantastic Night party, making it as much about genre culture celebration as it is about serious industry affairs.

Pablo Guisa Koestinger, the head of Fantastic Pavilion, states that this year’s grand events in Cannes have solidified their place as significant milestones. Not only do they serve as pivotal gatherings for cast and crew, but they also hold a unique significance. One such importance is that they now function as top-tier events, fostering connections. Additionally, one of the films we’re presenting this year wouldn’t have been possible without last year’s IP Showcase at the Pavilion. Our platform links creators with global investors, facilitating business interactions, sealing deals, and ultimately, making movies a reality,” explains Pablo Guisa Koestinger, the executive director of Fantastic Pavilion.

Alex Noyer, the producer at Pavilion, remarks that our galas over the past three years have generated quite a buzz,” he says. “They serve as a platform to display the global energy within the horror community. That’s why everyone from the cast and crew is eager to participate and make an impact. We are incredibly proud of this impressive lineup.

The Fantastic Pavilion, with its chilling new selection and daring global reach, is asserting itself as the heart and soul of genre films at Cannes.

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2025-05-02 19:48