Connect with us

News

[Interview] David F. Sandberg – Annabelle: Creation

Published

on

After the successful release of his first studio feature, 2016’s Lights Out, director David F. Sandberg was flooded with offers. He chose Annabelle: Creation, which explores the origin of the cursed Annabelle doll. A prequel to 2014’s Annabelle, and the fourth film in The Conjuring franchise, Annabelle: Creation centers on a doll-maker and his wife who welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage to stay with the couple at their California farmhouse. Annabelle quickly takes an interest in one of the girls. In May, I had the chance to talk to Sandberg, who seems poised to become one of the most influential genre filmmakers of his generation.

DG: What attracted you to this project?

DS: Hello! Several things. First of all, Gary Dauberman’s script, since it was its own separate story from the first film, and I loved the setting, time period, and characters. Then there were aspects of the production as well, like being able to shoot on a soundstage (on the Warner Bros. lot no less). Not only does it feel like the type of movie making I’ve always envisioned, it gives you a lot of freedom to be able to move walls and do all kinds of cool camera moves.

DG: David, what type of visual strategy did you and your cinematographer bring to the filming, and how would you describe the look and tone of the film?

DS: I wanted it to feel old school. To have pretty long takes and a more classical cinematic language. And of course it being a horror movie, I wanted to sure that we weren’t afraid to go really dark when needed. That was one thing that director of photography Maxime Alexandre assured me of—he’s not afraid to go dark. I’ve been a fan of his work since the first movie he shot, Haute Tension, so it was a thrill to get to work with him.

DG: David, how does Annabelle’s spirit attack in this film, and how would you describe the doll’s appearance, its look, in the film?

DS: Well, since we can’t see Annabelle herself move, you have to get creative with her attacks. In this film, the evil that possesses Annabelle takes many forms. It often uses what the characters fear to scare them. The actual doll’s look in the film has been slightly changed since James Wan always felt that she looked a little too over the top scary. Not many kids would want an Annabelle doll in their room. So she has slightly more friendly features, but she can still look menacing when she needs to. I also wanted the possessed version of the doll to have very realistic human eyes for that extra creepy feeling when she looks at you.

DG: How would you describe the relationships that exist in the film between the doll-maker and his wife, the nun and the girls, and Annabelle, how they intersect throughout the film?

DS: The doll-maker, Samuel, and his wife, Esther, are very mysterious. She never leaves her room, and we don’t quite know if he’s a good guy or a bad guy. The orphaned girls in the care of Sister Charlotte are just happy to have a home together, although they find the house and Samuel creepy. There’s a room that Samuel says they can’t enter, but of course that’s what one of the girls, Janice, does one night.

DG: David, how would you describe the “creation” of Annabelle, Annabelle’s true origin in the film?

DS: The creation isn’t that special really. It’s the first thing you see in the film, and in fact we hint to the fact that she’s one of many Annabelle dolls. It’s more about what happens later on, after she gets possessed and is unleashed.

DG: David, what’s your favorite scene or sequence in the film?

DS: Probably when Janice first encounters the Annabelle doll. I like that sequence because it’s more about being creepy than having jump scares. There’s also a fun sequence with a stair lift that is fun.

DG: David, as Annabelle took place in 1967, what time period does this film take place in, and how does the time period relate to the characters, the story, and the stylistic approach that you brought to this film?

DS: I believe the first one took place in 1970 actually. With this one, we don’t say what the year is, but all of the props and clothes are based in 1957. That was one of the things that I liked about the film: to get to make a period movie. No cell phones to ruin your horror movie. It being set in that time also gave me an excuse to try and go for a more classical filmmaking approach. To shoot it like an older movie. It’s still shot digitally, but we added 16mm film grain to the film to add to the old movie feel.

DG: What do you think sets this film apart from Annabelle and the Conjuring films, and what do you think audiences will find most compelling and frightening about this film?

DS: It feels like a bigger film than Annabelle. It has a bigger scope. It’s probably more like The Conjuring than Annabelle, but it’s still very much its own film. This story isn’t based on any real case like The Conjuring, so we could go pretty crazy with what happens to the poor characters.

DG: David, besides the unique perspective of directing a film that’s a prequel to a prequel, what was the biggest challenge you faced during the filming?

DS: Working with kids. Not because of them themselves—they were absolutely fantastic. Super dedicated and terrific actors. But the limited hours you get is a pain. With adults, you keep going until you get what you need. But with kids, there’s zero overtime. When the time is up, it’s up. There were some things we had to cut short, or that I didn’t get the time I needed on. But their performances made it worth it.

DG: David, is there one memory of the filming that stands out in your mind when you look back at this entire experience?

DS: The super uncomfortable time on the bus. I didn’t want to shoot the bus scenes on a green screen stage, since I never find scenes like that totally convincing. Instead, we shot it on a real old bus out in the desert. It was hot, loud, very dusty and miserable going back and forth for every take, but it certainly doesn’t look like a green screen shoot. All those bumps in the road are real.

Annabelle: Creation arrives in theaters on August 11.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

Published

on

Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title