With Grimmfest 2022 just a handful of weeks away, we are continuing our coverage of some of the selections on offer.
We caught up with co-directors Fernando González Gómez and Raúl Cerezo to talk all things, the insane sounding The Passenger.
Tell us how you got involved with The Passenger?
Raul had a project together based on an original idea of his, written by Luis Sanchez Polack, they gave it to Fernando to evaluate it, I was delighted with the script and I showed it to the producers of his first movie “Standard” they liked it a lot and the project went ahead. We decided to co-direct the film together, was a risky decision but we are very happy with the result.
How did you divide up directing duties?
We worked a lot together in the shoot planning in pre-production. We are obsessed to make shoots that have to tell something to the audience. On set normally we do the things together there is no a division of chores.
Do you consider the film as body horror?
Yes, it is. But it would be dishonest to say that he’s dead set on that since the film is nonetheless a terrifying action-adventure that’s not without its comedy. But yes, whoever is looking for a body horror will have their dose, not an overdose.
Can expect plenty of slimy practical effects?
Yes, this expectation will be satisfied for whoever sees the film. We are not very fond of digital solutions when they can be made physical, so we told the makeup, fx and hair teams to do everything in their power to do all the physical effects. And when he wasn’t? Well, USER T38 entered, one of the best visual fx companies in this regard to reinforce its effects and create new ones that were impossible. But always play with the union, not with the relaxed behaviour of ALL DIGITAL that reigns on the billboards.
How did you mix the horror and the comedy in The Passenger?
We have a lot of respect for the genre and we have a lot of respect for the viewer who is looking for a genre, so the comedy had to be realistic. Comedy provoked by the situation of the clash of these characters, comedy that could happen in a shared car, and everyday comedy. But horror was a very serious thing. No one will find parody or demystification in the genre of “The passenger”. We love the genre and the viewer who seeks it.
We have read comparisons with The Thing, is that a fair assumption?
It was one of the main references along with “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, “Shivers” or “The Hidden”. We love the genre of viscous possessions where what you love most, what you know best or trust the most, becomes your ultimate enemy. As in “Terminator 2”, come on, which was also a reference. And starting from there, we wanted to contribute something new to it, playing with the current fear of men to the new, empowered woman, since our bug only possesses women and hunts men.
How excited are you to be screening the film at Grimmfest?
Very excited. It is a gigantic festival, of maximum delivery from the public, with an incredible love for the genre and with a lot of promo time since the programming was announced. We are very grateful to be part of this benchmark.
You have also collaborated on The Elderly, what can you tell us about that film?
Well, “The elderly” is a very different movie, also genre, but in that case, is a family drama that drifts into a terror history. The tone in that movie is not related to “The passenger” is an oppressive and uncomfortable terror movie.
The Passenger screens at Grimmfest 2022.
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