Guillermo del Toro’s Unique Connection with Korean Cinema
Guillermo del Toro delighted fans at the 30th Busan International Film Festival by showcasing his IMAX adaptation of Frankenstein. The film, which cost $120 million to make, was screened in all its gory glory. The next morning, del Toro won over the hearts of those who missed the experience by sharing his knowledge of the local cinema industry and his heroes.
Cultural Similarities between Mexico and Korea
The filmmaker believes that there is a cinematic bond between Mexico and Korea due to their cultural similarities. "I think Korea and Mexico have many things in common," del Toro said in a press conference. "We are very expressive, very passionate, and we feel drawn to chaos. I like that very much, because when we tackle a genre, we tackle it through the prism of our culture."
Praise for Korean Directors
Del Toro expressed his admiration for Korean directors, particularly Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho. He praised their ability to bring together different elements, such as chaos, absurdity, and poetry, in their films. Del Toro also named Bong’s debut film, Memories of Murder, as one of his favorites. "It’s not an American procedure," he said. "It’s an existential, deep meditation and an imperfect examination. It’s so nice not to have this Manichean idea of good and evil, which American cinema often has."
The Uniqueness of Korean Cinema
Del Toro believes that Korean cinema has a unique quality that sets it apart from other film industries. "The more you get familiar with Korean cinema, the more you feel the instinct, the way, the culture," he said. "They do it [films] in a unique way, and every time I want to feel a little more alive, I watch a Korean film."
The Debut of Frankenstein
The IMAX version of Frankenstein debuted at the Busan International Film Festival, with all 400 tickets selling out in seconds. Del Toro treated fans to a 30-minute Q&A session, where he discussed the themes he wanted to explore in his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel. He also shared his inspiration for the film, saying, "I think the message that there are tragedies in life, but we still have to live, is a message that really resonates with me."
Fan Engagement
Del Toro showed his appreciation for his fans by signing autographs and giving out limited edition Frankenstein posters. He also announced that there would be a limited release of the film on IMAX screens worldwide, and that Netflix would be rolling out a small theater release from October 17th, ahead of the film’s streaming debut on November 7th.
The Appeal of Monsters
When asked why he thought audiences were so drawn to monsters, del Toro smiled and said, "The monsters are almost like pagan saints of imperfection. They allow us to make peace with the darker sides of humanity." He also revealed that he had wanted to make Frankenstein since he was a little boy, and that the film was a labor of love for him.
