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TIFF Interview: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia on ‘The Platform’ and Solidarity

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The Platform Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia

With The Platform, Spanish director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia has crafted a dystopian masterpiece with a sharp bite. The film explores class inequality and solidarity, elevating the conversation and causing the audience to question their understanding of morality.

I was able to sit down with Gaztelu-Urrutia to discuss The Platform and its adaptation from play to film.

[Click here to read my full review of The Platform]


Kelly McNeely: What was the genesis of The Platform? Where did this come from?

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia:  It’s a script that was originally written for a play — a theatrical play — that, in the end, never came out. The idea was from David Desola, and he wrote the script with Pedro Rivero. Pedro and I have been friends for a long, long time, and Carlos Juarez — the producer — received the script. 

So once we read the script, we understood that there was a big, big potential. We also knew that the script needed a lot of changes to turn it from a script for a play into a script for a movie, but there was a good base to work with. The principal characters and the symbology of the movie — the metaphors — you could see when reading the script, so we knew the concept was very good. 

Kelly McNeely: Can you talk a little bit about the metaphors and the symbolism of The Platform?

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: If you watch the movie you realize that there are several levels; there are rich people in the upper levels, and poor people in the bottom levels. It’s about those different social classes, north and south. There’s another level of symbology as well, that if you watch the movie again you’ll discover more about it. 

The movie is not about changing the world, but it’s about understanding and placing the viewer in one of the levels, and seeing how they would behave depending on which level they’re on. People are very similar between each other. It’s very important where you’re born — which country and which family — but we’re all very similar. It depends on where you go, but you will think and behave in a different way. So the movie is putting the viewer in the situation to face the limits of his own solidarity. 

It’s easy to have solidarity if you’re on level 6; if you have a lot you can give part of that up. But will you have solidarity if you don’t even have enough for yourself? That is the question. 

The Platform via TIFF

Kelly McNeely: There are a lot of phenomenal genre films that come out of Spain. Horror and thrillers, are those genres popular in Spain? Or perhaps not as big as they are in America?

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: There are not a lot of genre movies produced in Spain, but the few that are produced can travel very well among all the countries internationally. A lot of thrillers, but genre movies — horror movies — very few. 

Kelly McNeely: There are some excellent universal themes and dissections of class levels, was there a reason that you really wanted to communicate that class struggle?

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: The movie doesn’t want to teach anything. The Platform wants to put the viewer in a place to think about how they would behave in some situations, in respect to what’s happening outside in the world right now. What would you do in each situation? So if you are in the bottom of the platform or upstairs what would you do? They don’t judge, but they pose the question and give the viewer the opportunity to decide. 

The Platform via TIFF

Kelly McNeely: What are you or what were you inspired or influenced by when making The Platform

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: This movie changed me and also changed all the people that artistically joined the process of doing the movie — the actors, etc — the movie changed them. Shooting was very hard and they gradually put themselves — really put themselves in the pit. So there were all the parts of the movie — the production, the shooting — and then while you’re inside the movie you really realize the real message the movie has. And you change yourself. 

My artistic inspirations were Delicatessen, Blade Runner, Cube, of course, Next Floor; a lot of films. I like films. I’ve loved cinema since I was very, very young. A lot of little things from a lot of movies that I probably don’t really know where they’re from. And cultural baggage. 

Kelly McNeely: It’s interesting that it came from a theatrical script. I can kind of sense that in the structure of it; the first two acts feel very much like a play, and there’s that great third act in there as well. Was that third act part of the play originally, and what were the challenges of filming each section?

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: Actually you’re totally right, because the first two acts were originally in the play but the play finished on the second act. So the play is really finished when he decides to go down. Before that, the original play stops there. So we added that. 

The play’s script had a lot of potential, but we couldn’t use the same script because it was for a theatre play. I wanted to make it more physical, because there was a lot of dialogue in the first two acts. So I worked a lot with the two screenwriters to invent the third act. 

There were more characters in the original script that I removed to give more time to others, to make it a more cinematographical script. 

The Platform via TIFF

Kelly McNeely: I think it played really well, I think it was a very nice way to increase the tension and take it up to another level, but also wrap it up really nicely. 

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: Thank you. The play was more talkative and ethological, but the cinema works better when characters make a decision and take action. 

Kelly McNeely: I understand this is your first feature film as a director, what advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: The typical one; they have to be very stubborn to reach their goal. If you don’t work put in a lot of work to do it, you won’t succeed. Even if you work a lot and you don’t do it, you’ve tried. 

Kelly McNeely: And for my last question, if you were to go into the platform, what would you bring with you? What would be your chosen object?

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia: The samurai plus!

 

For more coverage from TIFF 2019, click here!

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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