Director Gemma Blasco’s ‘Fury’ Explores the Dark Side of Human Nature

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Gemma Blasco embarks on her first major role in the Spanish dramatic film titled “Fury.” This movie follows the story of a young woman grappling with a distressing event, finding an outlet for her anger on the theater stage.

After its debut at South by Southwest in Austin, the film “Fury” will be screened in competition at the Malaga Film Festival on Wednesday.

The movie, penned by Blasco and Eva Pauné, focuses on Alex, portrayed by Ángela Cervantes, who is grappling with the trauma of a violent attack at a New Year’s Eve gathering. As she navigates her emotional turmoil, she discovers a powerful catharsis through her role as the vengeful Medea in a staging of Euripides’ Greek play. Additionally, Alex finds comfort in confiding in her brother Adrián, played by Àlex Monner from “The Next Skin”, yet he becomes overwhelmed by anger and a desire for retribution.

Experiencing the process of creating “Fury” was much like Blasco dealing with the violent events portrayed in the movie for him.

In an interview with EbMaster, Blasco shared that the concept behind ‘Fury’ stemmed from a wish to portray a unique, gloomier, and raw perspective on the repercussions of sexual violence. At 18 years old, he had experienced sexual assault, which later inspired him to delve into filmmaking studies.

I quickly understood that someday I’d be creating this film, as I couldn’t find any depictions that resonated with me or mirrored my emotions. I yearned for something rawer and more authentic, instead of the seemingly romanticized and overly sweetened versions.

I didn’t aim for a story that focused on triumphing over hardships; instead, I was drawn to exploring the heart-wrenching ordeal. The script evolved from vivid images I had collected throughout the years – decaying boars, Greek tragedies, blood, and darkness. As I began to connect the dots and delve deeper into the characters, so too did the protagonist in the film use theater as an outlet for their anger. In a similar vein, I wanted to channel that intensity through my role as director.

In my perspective, this movie serves as a profound investigation into the essence of humanity. To convey that, I’ve incorporated aspects of harmful, traditionally masculine conduct throughout.

Blasco further explains, “It involves exploring two avenues of expressing trauma: one character, the victim herself, and another, her brother, who bears the burden of unfulfilled protection, though he was not the victim.

The movie further delves into societal norms governing gender roles, particularly the way cultures shape our emotional expression. Traditionally, men are often validated or associated with feelings like anger and rage, while women tend to express and manage their emotions more through dialogue and empathy.

On a personal level, I dislike violence and find it overwhelming. However, as a director, I found it intriguing to delve into this theme and create a female character who finds an outlet for her inner anger. This character affirms herself and embarks on a raw, primitive journey. She even experiences a strange allure towards it.

As I delved into this cinematic experience, I found myself intimately entwined with the complex and fierce character of Medea. The filmmaker’s bold decision to portray her brutal actions was not only captivating but also served as an effective outlet for raw emotion.

I chose acting because it’s heavily involved with the body, movement, and physicality, which made it a direct link to aggression. Additionally, it allowed for the exploration of being someone else and the notion of fiction. The film was intended to be highly physical as well. However, any art form could potentially serve as an outlet for emotions if that’s your intention. I believe acting was what resonated most with me and with Ángela.

I’m not a fan of using films as a form of healing, as they may not truly mend the wounds, but I do believe that they can serve as an outlet for the emotions we wish to express. When collaborating with actors, I strive to establish a shared understanding where both parties feel at ease. While it’s crucial for actors to draw from their personal experiences, I don’t insist on them exploring their deepest emotional depths if they are uncomfortable doing so. I prefer not to limit the creative process in this way. If an actor’s performance emerges naturally or if we uncover something during our collaboration, that’s fantastic. Many actors work this way, and I find it inspiring. However, I don’t believe starting from a deeply emotional place is healthy and would never force an actor to follow such a path. When instructing acting, I advise my students to prioritize self-protection, and if they feel uneasy about something, they should not delve too deep.

As a fervent admirer, it’s not surprising that I found myself drawn to Euripides’ “Medea” when crafting my own contemporary tragedy, much like Blasco did. The allure of Greek tragedies lies in their deep and timeless themes, which resonate even today.

I found myself drawn to tragedies; they offered me the depth and inevitable despair that I sought. These stories served as a compelling backdrop for my exploration, not just from a standpoint of overcoming adversity, but from an emotional perspective. I am captivated by the challenge of pushing characters to their limits, intensifying their emotions, and delving into the universal themes embedded within tragedies.

It’s striking to compare the ongoing problem of sexual violence against women with something deeply ingrained over numerous generations. This observation leads us to the idea that certain issues persist, often with minimal alterations, even as societies progress. Additionally, I found the concept of delving into fictional narratives intriguing. By reimagining reality through fiction, we can examine themes like sin and violence in a different light without venturing beyond the realms of actual events and lived experiences.

In realizing her challenging and ambitious work, Blasco found the ideal actress in Cervantes.

Angela was simply outstanding! It’s fortunate that I’ve been friends with her since we were both 11, which allows me to recall watching her as an amateur theater actress and recognizing immense potential in her. She isn’t part of the movie due to our friendship but because she’s a truly exceptional actor.

For quite some time, I’ve recognized her exceptional abilities. When penning the script, I envisioned her taking the lead role. Our long-standing acquaintance proved beneficial as it established a foundation of trust, enabling us to delve more deeply into the story.

What I admire about Ángela is her dedication, be it emotional or physical, towards the characters she portrays. She possesses the selflessness to immerse herself fully into a role and leap into unfamiliar waters without hesitation, even when there seems to be no safety net. Her ability to effortlessly transition between raw emotions and vulnerability is truly captivating. In my opinion, this quality shines brilliantly in her latest film, making her performance absolutely mesmerizing.

As a cinephile, I had the pleasure of viewing “Fury,” a gripping production that hails from Barcelona-based studios Ringo Media and RM Pelicula AIE, located in Torrevelilla. This captivating film is now available for international audiences, thanks to Filmax, who will also be releasing it in Spanish cinemas on March 28th.

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2025-03-19 13:19