The film centers on a young American art student, Sarah, who "unwittingly opens an ancient urn that unleashes the demonic power of the world's most powerful witch. As a scourge of suicides plague the city and witches from all over the world converge on Rome to pay homage, Sarah must use all her own psychic powers to stop the 'Mother of Tears' before her evil conquers the world.

BD: So, Mother of Tears. Obviously it has been a movie you wanted to make for some time, since Inferno, correct?

Dario: Yes, many many many years!

BD: How close was the finished film to what you originally had in mind?

Dario: First I shot Suspiria, and then Inferno [back to back], so I spent 5 years on these projects. So for Third Mother I was a little bit tired of telling the story. So it was postponed. And I wanted to work with on other jobs, other horror and thrillers, and then I waited a long time. After a long time, many years, the idea came. So I was enthusiastic, and I had two American writers, Adam Geirasch and Jace Anderson, and we worked together. They both came to Italy to write the film with me. Then we worked together. It’s a good project, a good idea.

BD: The DVD is unrated, how much different is it than what was in the theater?

Dario: A little bit. Some things are a bit different. We had the censors for theaters, so I’m glad we have the unrated DVD. Closer to my version.

BD: Your next film, Giallo, is also written by Americans... do you enjoy writing with Americans? Is it different than with an all Italian crew?

Dario: I very much like to work with the American writers, and the American actors. The American actors are very professional, and you get more choices... Sicilian actors and actresses are heavy! It’s a very easy choice for me. And the technicians, the American technicians, are great to work with. In Italy we have good DPs, but the technicians not so much. Many technicians change their line of work. There are very few good technicians left now. So for this reason I like to work with Americans.

BD: When you aren’t the sole writer, does that free you up to focus more on the direction?

Dario: Not too much, I adapted my own story; it’s my ideas and style. It was very good. I had time to direct better, but I was still fully involved with the writing.

BD: How is Giallo coming along? I understand you are in the editing process now?

Dario: Yes, I am editing now. Good, good thriller. It’s a bit darker, a good film. Good actors. Adrien Brody and Emmanuelle Seigner. It’s very wonderful to work with Adrien Brody. He is a wonderful actor, so sensible and strong. Great to work with him.

BD: Will it have a wide release in the US?

Dario: Yes, yes, of course. Next year, not now. We’d like to go with the film to the Cannes film festival. It’s a good film.

BD: Are there any plans to re-release any of your older films on DVD, such as Four Flies on Gray Velvet?

Dario: Four Flies has disappeared. We had some problems with the old production. Very strange, I’m very disappointed about it. It’s a shame, really.

BD: Are you involved with the Suspiria remake?

Dario: Nobody’s spoke to me. I hope they respect the spirit of the film. Maybe not the exact same story, but the spirit I hope is intact.

BD: How do you feel about remakes in general?

Dario: We have many films to make. Do something new! They just keep buying the rights to the older films instead. Sometimes they are better than the originals. I hope Suspiria is good, he is an interesting person.

BD: Why do you think there are so few Italian horror directors working now, as opposed to in the 70s and 80s?

Dario: For the moment, I think I am the only one in Italy doing this kind of thing. Horror films are expensive, because of the special effects, so it’s not so easy to find the money for these films. Distributors look to invest in something simple and easy, a comedy. They don’t have to spend anything, just for the actors.

BD: So have you lined up a new film after Giallo?

Dario: For the moment no. I want to finish this film, and then I’ll start thinking about a new project.

BD: Vacation!

Dario: No vacation! Work! (laughs) When I go on vacation, it doesn’t exist. You are spending the whole time thinking of new films, new ideas. Vacation becomes work! (laughs)

BD: Well, that’s about it. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. You know, Phenomena was the very first Italian horror movie I ever saw...

Dario: Phenomena, yes! With the great Jennifer Connelly.

BD: Yep, “the girl from Labyrinth”. I was a little kid; she was why I rented it.

Dario: (laughs)

BD: So thanks again, it was an honor!

Dario: No, it is a pleasure!

BD: Thanks. Get back to editing!

Dario: OK, yes! (laughs)