The next chapter in the hit Spanish horror series REC breaks the claustrophobic confines of its urban tenement teeming with possessed residents ready to tear your throat out.
REC 3: Genesis hitting VOD this Thursday from Magnet Releasing – relocates the action and bloodshed to the wedding reception of Koldo and Clara, a young couple happily in love until a vicious outbreak plagues their friends and family. The results are gory and, at times, hilarious. But the setting isn’t the only thing different about this entry and, unlike the previous REC entries, theres only one man sitting in the directors chair this time Paco Plaza.
Plaza had previously helmed Romasanta and the clever holiday treat, A Christmas Tale, one of the “6 Films to Keep You Awake” film series. Of course, he had also co-directed REC and REC 2 with Jaume Balaguero. Shock spoke with Plaza about his sequel, its “rebellious” nature, the Spanish film industry and more.
Shock Till You Drop: Where did the decision come from in splitting up the directing duties on parts three and four? You had worked so closely with Jaume on the previous two efforts.
Paco Plaza: What happened is two things. The producers wanted to make REC 3 and 4. We wanted to be involved but we wanted to have time for ourselves to work on different projects. We thought it would be a great idea to direct one film each with the other being a producer, so one of us was there for consultation. We had done the other two films together and it had been many years working only on REC movies that was a lot.
Shock: This film sees you re-teaming with REC scribe Luiso Berdejo. Did the idea for part three come to you both immediately or did you kick around some other concepts first?
Plaza: When we were editing the first film, the editor David Gallart he came up with the idea: If there was a sequel, it should be a wedding video because youre in a situation where everyone has a camera and you have different perspectives to choose from. Everyone is drunk. Theres sex and music. A perfect scenario. And we laughed about it but when we came to looking at ideas for part three and four, we said remember the wedding? Maybe it wasnt such a bad idea. Its true that there are a lot of relationships going on between the different characters and the costumes are funny. It gave you an opportunity to expand the universe of REC and being faithful to seeing the story through the lens of a video camera, but evolving in a different way. We thought it was interesting, not only Luiso, but Jaume. The three of us, together, designed REC 3 and REC 4. We all agreed setting the action in a wedding was an excellent idea.
Shock: The film leaps into a traditionally told narrative. Was that always the intention?
Plaza: There were so many options. One of the ideas was where we have a character constantly saying, We have to keep on recording, people deserve to know. And we were like, lets cut the bullshit. For me, it was interesting that the film itself was rebelling against its shape. You know? Having a character in your film making a boycott to how youre trying to tell the story. It was a joke for me and very interesting. Each story needs to find its proper way to be told. We wanted to tell this romantic fable and it needed to be told this way. It was about taking risks and making it challenging. Its a scream of freedom. I dont know if it happens to you, but when I got to a theater, I feel like Ive already seen it because of anticipation, the trailer, a lot of information on the Internet getting out. You go in knowing scenes or your expectations have you saying what you knew was going to happen. Its like you go to a movie to see if its exactly what you expected or what you wanted. I think its exciting not knowing what a film is going to be or look like. What I wanted to do was give back a romantic gesture in a way, give back that feeling and say, Oh, this is not what I had in mind at all.
Shock: What are you thoughts on how Spanish horror has evolved over the years? What is the state of the genre there now?
Plaza: Were going through a hard time economically and the film industry is no stranger to that. Creatively, and its kind of a paradox, there are a lot of talented directors here like Nacho Vigalondo. We are having a bunch of very good films coming out, from not only Europe, but Spain especially. Im not sure way, but its been a good decade with young filmmakers doing some really great stuff.
Shock: What are the plans for REC 4: Apocalypse?
Plaza: The plans are to start shooting late this year or early next. Jaume has finished the script, but he would be very upset if I told too much. What I can say is its going to be very surprising and refreshing and its going to be great.
Shock: While you directed REC 3, we saw Jaume take on a thriller called Sleep Tight. Are you planning on tackling an original thriller outside of the REC world anytime soon?
Plaza: Im writing, but it has happened to me on the past looking back on projects that havent happened and it makes me upset. I have grown superstitious with that. Im working on things and hopefully Ill be able to talk about something soon.
You can read our review for REC 3: Genesis right here.
