Alfonso Cuarón Conversation With Director Jennifer Kent to Accompany IFC Films’ 10th Anniversary Re-Release of Cult Horror ‘The Babadook’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the labyrinth of global cinema, I can confidently say that the impending 30-minute conversation between Alfonso Cuarón and Jennifer Kent is nothing short of a dream come true for film enthusiasts like myself. The opportunity to witness these two extraordinary storytellers engage in a discourse about one of modern horror’s most intriguing masterpieces, “The Babadook,” is akin to a symphony conductor dissecting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the maestro himself.


After every showing of the 10th anniversary re-release of “The Babadook,” a 30-minute discussion between Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón and Australian screenwriter-director Jennifer Kent will be presented as a video conversation.

At the most recent Locarno Film Festival, Alfonso Cuarón shared his intentions to delve into the horror genre, specifically citing “The Babadook” as an example of a film that effectively combines reality and character development. In response to this, IFC Films – known for distributing Cuarón’s “Y Tu Mamá También” in 2002 – reached out to Cuarón to facilitate a live Q&A session with Jennifer Kent. The recorded, 30-minute discussion between the two will be shown in cinemas nationwide following each screening of the film across the United States.

In the course of their engaging discussion about films, Cuarón expresses his awe at first seeing the movie, stating that he was “extremely impressed by its thematic depth” and also “impressed by its assured cinematic quality; it felt like an incredibly confident film.” Later on, Kent shares that she immersed herself in the classic works of horror cinema, such as Robert Wiene’s “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), F.W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (1922) and Carl Dreyer’s “Vampyr” (1932), along with more recent examples, before tackling “The Babadook.

Originating from her acclaimed 2005 short film “Monster,” Jennifer Kent’s first full-length feature, “The Babadook,” centers on Amelia (Essie Davis), who is grappling with a profound sense of loss six years after her husband’s violent death. She finds it difficult to discipline her six-year-old son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), whom she feels impossible to love. Samuel’s nights are haunted by a monster he believes is about to claim their lives. Upon discovering an unsettling storybook titled “The Babadook” at their home, Samuel becomes convinced that the Babadook is the creature from his nightmares. As his hallucinations escalate and his behavior grows increasingly erratic and aggressive, Amelia medicates him out of fear for her safety. However, when Amelia starts noticing eerie apparitions everywhere she looks, it gradually becomes clear to her that the monster Samuel has been warning her about might be real.

The film titled “The Babadook” was initially screened at Sundance in 2014, and since then, it has earned over a hundred nominations and awards on an international scale. According to the review by EbMaster, this skillfully crafted and directed debut from writer-director Jennifer Kent successfully delivers chilling moments that will make you jump out of your seat, while also exploring profound themes such as loss, grief, and deep-seated fears that can’t be easily conquered.

Delving back into the realm of terrifying cinema, I’m thrilled to share that “The Babadook,” a chilling tale that has left audiences worldwide sleepless, is making its grand return! IFC Films, in alliance with Iconic Events Releasing, is bringing this masterpiece to over 500 screens across the United States starting from September 19. So, prepare yourselves for another harrowing encounter with the elusive and eerie “Babadook.

Alfonso Cuarón Conversation With Director Jennifer Kent to Accompany IFC Films’ 10th Anniversary Re-Release of Cult Horror ‘The Babadook’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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2024-09-13 16:16