REC 3: Genesis hitting VOD this Thursday from Magnet Releasing – relocates the action and bloodshed to the wedding reception of Koldo and Clara, a young couple happily in love until a vicious outbreak plagues their friends and family. The results are gory and, at times, hilarious. But the setting isn’t the only thing different about this entry and, unlike the previous REC entries, theres only one man sitting in the directors chair this time Paco Plaza.
Plaza had previously helmed Romasanta and the clever holiday treat, A Christmas Tale, one of the “6 Films to Keep You Awake” film series. Of course, he had also co-directed REC and REC 2 with Jaume Balaguero. Shock spoke with Plaza about his sequel, its “rebellious” nature, the Spanish film industry and more.
Shock Till You Drop: Where did the decision come from in splitting up the directing duties on parts three and four? You had worked so closely with Jaume on the previous two efforts.
Paco Plaza: What happened is two things. The producers wanted to make REC 3 and 4. We wanted to be involved but we wanted to have time for ourselves to work on different projects. We thought it would be a great idea to direct one film each with the other being a producer, so one of us was there for consultation. We had done the other two films together and it had been many years working only on REC movies that was a lot.
Shock: This film sees you re-teaming with REC scribe Luiso Berdejo. Did the idea for part three come to you both immediately or did you kick around some other concepts first?
Plaza: When we were editing the first film, the editor David Gallart he came up with the idea: If there was a sequel, it should be a wedding video because youre in a situation where everyone has a camera and you have different perspectives to choose from. Everyone is drunk. Theres sex and music. A perfect scenario. And we laughed about it but when we came to looking at ideas for part three and four, we said remember the wedding? Maybe it wasnt such a bad idea. Its true that there are a lot of relationships going on between the different characters and the costumes are funny. It gave you an opportunity to expand the universe of REC and being faithful to seeing the story through the lens of a video camera, but evolving in a different way. We thought it was interesting, not only Luiso, but Jaume. The three of us, together, designed REC 3 and REC 4. We all agreed setting the action in a wedding was an excellent idea.
Shock: The film leaps into a traditionally told narrative. Was that always the intention?
Shock: What are you thoughts on how Spanish horror has evolved over the years? What is the state of the genre there now?
Plaza: Were going through a hard time economically and the film industry is no stranger to that. Creatively, and its kind of a paradox, there are a lot of talented directors here like Nacho Vigalondo. We are having a bunch of very good films coming out, from not only Europe, but Spain especially. Im not sure way, but its been a good decade with young filmmakers doing some really great stuff.
Shock: What are the plans for REC 4: Apocalypse?
Shock: While you directed REC 3, we saw Jaume take on a thriller called Sleep Tight. Are you planning on tackling an original thriller outside of the REC world anytime soon?
Plaza: Im writing, but it has happened to me on the past looking back on projects that havent happened and it makes me upset. I have grown superstitious with that. Im working on things and hopefully Ill be able to talk about something soon.
You can read our review for REC 3: Genesis right here.
