“Don’t Listen to What Your Seniors Say”: How ‘THE CURSE’ Satires Social Media With Fantastically Gruesome Horror

Following up on his Implausible Fest 2023 breakout horror hit VISITORS, prolific Japanese director Kenichi Ugana is again with a brand new horror characteristic that satires social media, but doesn’t pull any punches with a grotesque array of unbelievable and bloody horror.Shot on a Ronin 4D, THE CURSE is an attention-grabbing (and maneuverable) look into how social media will not be solely altering the lives of latest generations, nevertheless it’s additionally altering what we discover horrifying. We chatted with Ugana about his newest movie and the way he sees the horror style evolving within the coming years.NFS: Are you able to inform us a bit about your background in filmmaking?Kenichi Ugana: My mom liked horror motion pictures, so I grew up watching them daily. I labored as an actor from highschool by way of school, however regularly my want to make my very own movies grew.I began my profession as a movie director by capturing an unbiased movie. A few of my most notable works embrace THE GESUIDOUZ, through which a horror-loving frontman tries to make a masterpiece with a purpose to attend Glastonbury Rock Competition earlier than she dies; WE ARE ALIENS, through which six lovely puppet aliens invade Earth; VISITORS – COMPLETE EDITION, through which a nervous pal visits a person’s home, solely to seek out that her pals flip into demons one after the other, and he or she herself turns into a demon; and EXTRANEOUS MATTER – COMPLETE EDITION, through which black, tentacled creatures all of a sudden start to multiply throughout the Earth.My type usually combines punk and rock with horror and fantasy, and I have been prolific, releasing two to a few movies a 12 months for the previous few years. This 12 months, along with THE CURSE, I’ve additionally launched I FELL IN LOVE WTH A Z-GRADE DIRECTOR IN BROOKLYN, which gained the Greatest Excellent Efficiency Standing Award and the Viewers Award on the Fantasia Worldwide Movie Competition, and INCOMPLETE CHAIRS, which could have its world premiere on the Slash Movie Competition.NFS: What had been a few of your inspirations for making The Curse?KU: The scenario surrounding social media has turn into so extreme not too long ago that I had all the time wished to depict it. Then, I noticed a submit by an acquaintance of mine saying, “The social media account of a pal who handed away continues to be lively as if he is nonetheless alive,” and I assumed this might be a great way to begin a movie.I additionally researched how individuals curse others in Taiwan and the picture of ghosts. I discovered it attention-grabbing that the picture of ghosts in Taiwan and Japan is barely totally different.NFS: What digital camera did you shoot on? What went into this resolution?KU: We used the DJI Ronin 4D as a result of the DP beneficial it, and it’s totally maneuverable. It was my first time utilizing a digital camera, and I actually appreciated it. Till now, I’ve largely used Alexa, however I made a decision to check out new cameras as nicely.
NFS: There are numerous grotesque deaths within the movie. What had been a few of your favourite results to create?KU: It is the scene initially the place somebody is hit and killed by a automotive, the automotive drags the physique, and the canine eats it. I’ve a powerful picture as a horror movie director, however up till now, I’ve solely directed horror comedies, so that is really my first critical horror movie. …There are numerous humorous elements this time too, haha. Anyway, I actually wished to create a stunning scene initially.The scene was numerous enjoyable to shoot, combining varied components similar to scary performing and camerawork, puppets, particular results, and the canine’s performing. When the canine efficiently ate the meat, I could not assist however high-five the chief producer.NFS: How do you are feeling that the horror style is altering within the age of social media? Is that this one thing filmmakers ought to examine?KU: I believe that younger individuals, not simply in horror, are more and more preferring shorter content material and works which can be suitable with smartphone facet ratios. And horror movies are usually extra stimulating than different sorts of content material, so I believe horror movies and social media are match. Nonetheless, I do not assume that filmmaking itself will change drastically. Traits themselves might change, however I am satisfied that the basic essence of concern has remained basically the identical since historic occasions.NFS: What recommendation would you give to any aspiring horror filmmakers seeking to make their first shorts or options?KU: Do not hearken to what your seniors say. The brand new technology wants to interrupt down the stereotypes of the older technology.