INTERVIEW: This Halloween season, F. Javier Gutiérrez heads home
Photo: The Wait is writer-director F. Javier Gutiérrez’s latest film, set in Andalusia. Photo courtesy of Film Movement / Provided by Foundry Comm with permission.
The Wait, the new folk horror movie from writer-director F. Javier Gutiérrez, is all about the setting and scenery. This eerie tale takes place in the Andalusian countryside, following the character of Eladio (Victor Clavijo), a groundskeeper on a prestigious hunting estate, according to press notes. When he breaks the rules of the property and allows an outside hunter on the grounds, all hell breaks loose — literally.
Gutiérrez knows a thing or two about the horror genre. He’s the director behind Rings and Before the Fall, and now he’s back with more mayhem and macabre. For the filmmaker, The Wait is something of a homecoming, back to his native Spain, where he was able to create this original story, which feels like a cross between a western and horror flick.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Gutiérrez about his new film, which is now available on VOD and digital platforms from Film Movement. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How much does Spain and Andalusia play a role in this folk horror film?
Spain and Andalusia are key part of the film. The film immerses the audience in 1970s rural Spain and its traditions. The story is set in Andalusia, surrounded by a beautiful, yet desolate, landscape. At the same time, the film is a tribute to our cinema, from Carlos Saura’s La Caza or Mario Camus’ The Holy Innocents to our “fantaterror,” those terrific movies, from ’60s and ’70s, heavly influenced by Hammer Studios, Italian horror and American B-movies, that often mixed supernatural elements, fantasy and Gothic horror with themes specific to Spain’s history, culture and political context.
How do you define folk horror? What sets folk horror apart from other horror?
Folk horror is a subgenre of horror that draws on rural settings, folklore and ancient customs. It often involves communities or individuals that follow traditional beliefs, rituals or superstitions. I believe folk horror has a unique authenticity that, unlike other horror, taps into our roots, beliefs and deepest primal fears.
Do you believe seeing families under intense pressure helps us to better understand how family dynamics work?
In both The Wait and my first film, Before the Fall (still available in Apple TV), we see two families pushed to their limits by extreme circumstances. These unsettling settings allow me to explore not only family dynamics but moral dilemmas, along the deeper complexities of human nature — its darkness, fragility and beauty.
Is natural, human-made terror scarier than supernatural terror?
I love supernatural horror, and while it can be truly frightening, nothing compares to the terror of our own evil nature. Human behavior, when devoid of morals and remorse, can be disturbingly unsettling, crawling under your skin and lingering long after.
What was it like to work with this cast?
I knew Victor from my first film, Before the Fall, where he also played the lead, and he is not only an exceptional actor — one of the best in Spain — but also a good friend. Working together again has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I love and admire Victor. Ruth [Díaz], Carlos, Moisés [Ruiz] and Antonio [Estrada] were all thoughtfully selected for their roles. Collaborating with them has fostered a deep bond, and I’m proud to now call them all my friends.
Do you still have fond memories of working on Rings?
Yes, I still have. Rings was my first studio film, and it gave me the opportunity to work with talented artists I’ve always admired, as well as new collaborators who I now consider friends. The overall experience was enriching on both creative and personal levels, and it was also a valuable learning experience for me. I will always be grateful for that.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Wait, written and directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez, is now available on VOD and digital platforms. Click here for more information.
