SUSPIRIA Horror Remake Gets a New Director and He Talks About His Vision
For years, director David Gordon Green (Prince Avalanche, Joe) was attached to direct a remake of Dario Argento's classic horror film Suspiria. That changed a couple of years ago, and now Empire reports that Luca Guadagnino has stepped in as the director. In a recent interview with the outlet, he talked about his vision for the film:
"The film by Dario Argento was a very indicative moment of growing up for me because I saw it when I was 14. I think it changed me forever. I was obsessed [with Argento] through all my adolescence. [My version] is going to be set in Berlin in 1977. It’s going to be about the mother and the concept of motherhood and about the uncompromising force of motherhood. It’s going to be about finding your inner voice – the title is very evocative on these grounds."
That’s definitely a different take on the story that I wasn’t expecting to see. The original 1977 film follows Suzy, played by Jessica Harper, who arrives in Freiburg to attend a renowned ballet academy, only to discover that it's a front for a powerful coven of witches. Guadagnino continue to talk about his version, saying:
“[It] will be very different. The movie by Dario Argento was maybe a child of its own times. It's very delicate; almost childish. I have a very strong interest in German literature and film, so I think [my] Suspiria will have to focus very strongly on that moment in history, in 1977, when Germany was divided and a new generation was claiming and asking to recognise the debt of guilt that forged the new Germany after the war against the fathers who wanted to deny the responsibility."
I really kinda wanted to bash the fact that this movie was still being remade, but the concept the director is developing is actually quite fascinating.
He’s currently in the process of casting the movie, but he won’t use Isabelle Huppert and Isabelle Fuhrman, who were previously attached to star in Green’s version. I’ve gotta say, Guadagnino definitely has my attention. Now let's see if he can actually turn his vision into a great movie.