Cuarón’s New Horror Focus and Harry Potter Reflections

Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón recently expressed his desire to venture into the horror film genre during a masterclass at the Locarno Film Festival. Cuarón, who received a lifetime achievement award at the festival, is celebrated for his diverse filmography that includes titles like "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Roma."

Cuarón shared his enthusiasm for horror movies, noting a distinction between his taste and that of his friend and collaborator, Guillermo del Toro. While del Toro favors fantasy and metaphysical horror, Cuarón is drawn to more grounded horror stories. He mentioned that he’s currently “flirting” with the genre, inspired by films such as Roman Polanski’s "Rosemary’s Baby" and "The Tenant."

This potential move into horror comes after a career filled with both commercial successes and artistic achievements. Cuarón discussed his experience working with J.K. Rowling on "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," revealing that he initially hesitated to direct the film but was persuaded after reading the book. He praised Rowling’s writing for its focus on the transition from childhood to adolescence and its exploration of social contexts beyond just magic. Cuarón described the experience as a joy due to Rowling’s creation being deeply rooted in humanity.

The skills Cuarón developed while working on "Harry Potter" were crucial for his subsequent projects. He noted that he needed to learn about visual effects for "Children of Men," which he referred to as his “kindergarten” for this aspect of filmmaking. The expertise he gained during this film influenced his work on the dystopian thriller "Children of Men" and the space drama "Gravity."

Cuarón also reflected on the initial commercial failure of "Children of Men," which led to a period of career difficulty. This setback eventually inspired him to create "Gravity," a project designed to be commercially viable and revive his career.

During the masterclass, Cuarón emphasized the value of reinvention and pushing boundaries as a filmmaker. He described his approach to "Roma," for which he won the Oscar for Best Director, as a complete departure from his previous methods. He wrote the screenplay without revisiting it and shot the film in continuity, with actors learning their roles on a daily basis. This unique approach, while creatively fulfilling, took an emotional toll on him, likening the process to undergoing electroshock therapy.

Cuarón’s next project is the series "Disclaimer" for Apple TV+, starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline, set to premiere on October 11.