[REC] on the Record

 

Where did the idea for [REC] come from?

The idea was to tell a classic horror story but using live TV language. Using this live report style, we wanted to reach a higher level of realism and credibility in order to increase the implication of the audience and fear. We like to perceive [REC] like a film not just to be seen, but experienced.

How was the filming experience?

We wanted to shoot the movie the most organic and credible way. The actors never got the complete script, just a few pages with the general story. No dialogue at all. That’s why we needed to shoot chronologically: they were discovering all the details of the story while we were shooting, reacting spontaneously to all the new events. In some way, the movie was growing by itself. We needed just to control it.

What are the good and bad things about having two directors?

It's impossible to co-direct a movie. It was just this time and this project because it's really special, different and more a documentary than a fiction film in terms of direction. We were there together all the time discussing any decision, but it was great fun and it was just the way the project was born, so there were only good things for us.

Did the actors have to go through a lot of difficult situations?

All the shooting became a strong and unexpected experience for all of them. All was made chronologically, in strict real time, no cuts, no script for them. They were extremely tired every day, running up and down without stopping. The last scene in pitch black with the “Niña Medeiros” creature, was really scary for Manuela and the cameraman. Before that moment, they didn’t know about her. Nothing at all.

[REC] was released in Great Britain around the same time as Cloverfield and Diary of the Dead – why do you think 'homemade' horror is currently so popular?

Something is changing in the attitude of the audience. People need to feel more and more participative, an important part of the cinematic fact. That’s probably the reason behind this new wave of live-style movies. It could explain the coincidence in time of such movies like [REC], Cloverfield, Diary of the Dead and more. The cinema industry is trying to offer to the audience what the audience is starting to demand.

Is this a golden age for Spanish horror?

I don’t think so. But lots of people from other countries seem to have this impression. Actually, there are only two or three horror films released each year, at least theatrically.

What films did you use as inspiration?

Of course there are some evident references like Cannibal Holocaust, Man Bites Dog or The Blair Witch Project. But what we used as inspiration was actually the TV. How the mass media create the reality. Nothing exists but if you see it on TV. Only what is shown on TV becomes real. Even on TV, the border between reality and fiction is very thin. That’s something to worry about. Very disturbing.