10 · 04 · 09

Eli Roth steals the show

Por Clara Sánchez

He arrived in a casual manner ready for the cameras and eager to give autographs and interviews. When his film was about to be shown, he said he felt happy to see it again on the big screen. Roth, who stayed to see the movie, said if anyone left they would be booed, and if they vomited, he would consider it a compliment.

Roth sat by Alejandro Ramírez, president of FICM, and at the end of the showing the director received a warm applause. During the 45-minute discussion with the audience, he explained that the film was made in Slovakia but because of the way the country is portrayed in the movie he had to hold a press conference there to explain that the film version was not a true reflection of the nation.

The director, whose humor and irony drew laughter from the audience, said that the support of U.S. director Quentin Tarantino helped to promote the film. People thought that if Tarantino supported it, the film must be more than just a horror movie, he said.

He explained that the film was made in only 10 days, but he was sure that would never happen again.

Asked if he thought his movie was very violent, he replied that when he was editing it he kept asking himself whether there was enough sex and violence.

“How do you feel after seeing your film after three years?” a viewer asked.

Roth compared it to meeting old friends or when you open a photo album and find a picture of an old girl friend and you ask yourself, how could I have ever left her?

The director expressed his gratitude to Morelia for the warm reception both he and his film had received. He said he hoped to return to the festival with a new movie.

Translated by Cindy Hawes