Last January Bloody-Disgusting visited the set of Sony Screen Gems' R-rated horror film, Quarantine, which arrives in theaters everywhere this Friday. While on set we had the opportunity to chat with star Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, Exorcism of Emily Rose), who chatted with us about the difficulties of shooting the film, the real-life terrors in the plot and how she got to watch other people get their hands wet this time around. You can read it all inside. In addition, if you click over to BDTV, you can now watch a behind-the-scenes featurette, alongside the three clips we added last week.
Carpenter is no newbie to Sony Screen Gems as she starred in one of their most successful horror film, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, which is how she got the early jump on the role in QUARANTINE.
"I worked with Clint Culpepper who was producing on “Emily Rose”, so he sent the script over and sent the original over, and I turned on the original, watched maybe two or three minutes of it and called and said, 'yeah, I want to do it.' "
In the film arriving in theaters October 10th, Carpenter plays television reporter Angela Vidal, who becomes locked in an apartment complex during a routine call with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
QUARANTINE is a remake of the Spanish horror flick [REC] and brings something new to the genre.
"I'm not sure that it will reinvent the genre," Carpenter explains to Bloody-Disgusting on the set back in November of 2007. "It’s certainly a brand new way of making films. I mean, it’s 3 o’clock, we’ve all been here since 7 and haven’t gotten off with our shot yet. You’re shooting four pages in one take, so it happens a lot like real life happens. There are dead spaces you fill and you start “improving”, and you have to be completely awake and aware and listening in a way that is not as forgiving as when you’re stopping, coming in and doing coverage.... we aren’t that planned."
The fact that there are extremely long takes and a lot of room for improv make QUARANTINE a difficult film to shoot. Carpenter explains that it was also one of her hardest roles.
"In a strange way, yeah [it's the hardest role], especially after coming off from "Dexter" where it’s about pacing a day as well as pacing the story," she continues, "This is about patience. In a lot of ways, it feels like I ran cross-country the night before the race; all the way up until the gun goes off, you have this adrenaline going and you’re telling your body “wait, wait, wait,” and then the gun goes off and you say, “Go!” It feels a lot like that. It’s a hard nerve to calm down, to control."
In EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE Carpenter got her hands pretty dirty in the role of a girl possessed. In QUARANTINE, she gets to watch others jump in the dirt.
"I love it because people sometimes come up to me and say that 'Emily Rose' scared them and that they lost sleep, and I apologize for my part in it, but this is exciting because this is closer to me and my life," she explains. "I really get freaked out by this stuff. The whole last scene in [Quarantine] happens in one room, and I’ve asked to not be allowed in that room. I don’t want to meet anybody that’s going to be in the room, because it will be authentic. I’m going to be scared out of my mind. Everybody looks sweet and warm out here, but they’re going to turn it on and I’m going to be terrified."
It’s pretty terrifying that, hypothetically, this story could happen...
"The scary thing about it is that they are locked in this building-normal people like you and me, and I’m assuming you are normal-but their rescue is right outside of a window pane. It is two stories down, and they can’t get out. They’re fighting for their lives, and their salvation is right outside the door..."
You'll be able to see everything through Carpenter's eyes when the film arrives in theaters October 10.
"QUARANTINE is a remake of the Spanish horror flick [REC] and brings something new to the genre." - Uh, the fact that it's a remake of [REC] kind of contradicts the "brings something new to the genre" aspect of this article.
yeah, count me in too guys. when she says that, i was like 'come on, it's a effing remake that will probably end up being an insult to the original'. i'm not saying it will definitely be bad but please don't act like this is so original as to possibly "reinvent the genre". i DO like Jennifer Carpenter though.
Actually, she says, "I'm NOT sure it will reinvent the genre." You should learn to read first. And most likely, Mr. Disgusting meant that [Rec] bring's something new. Either way, I'll probably give this a watch.
rec was a terrific movie, though dont doubt quarantine, it will obviously not live up to rec but unlike every other remake (except the new friday the 13th) this has alot of potential to be kick ass and just because it doesnt live up to the original doesnt make it a bad movie. keep an open mind most americans never even heard of rec so this is something new for them and hopefully it will be great and allow some good horror movies to start getting made, and ophelia santi u may beable to get it on ebay or something but i got it from using torrents
Yeah, it may be something new for most Americans but I'm sick of everyone being like "OMG this looks sooo goood!!!" and they percieve it as a completely original movie. No one has any idea that this is a remake and it really pisses me off. Why is there no American release of [REC] in any form? Balagueró and Plaza deserve credit here, they've created one of the most original and horrifying movies i've seen in years. Even if it were though, it's sad to say I know too many people who would just ignore it because they're too ignorant to read subtitles.
I have not seen [REC] yet, but it's no surprise that American filmmakers are, once again, leeching ideas off foreign films. It started with the whole Japanese horror craze and now that that's dwindled (and writers are still without any good ideas), it's time to start stealing from whatever foreign film that has one ioda of originality. And yes, Lammendam, I also know way too many people who will refuse to watch a movie (no matter how awesome it is) because of subtitles... and that's a real shame.
[REC] was one of my favorites in years, right up with high tension -- really really hope this movie lives up at least a little... at least carpenter is "close to" as hot as the main girl in [REC]; that helps.
As far as I'm concerned, remaking a horror movie is not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of people out there are constantly complaining about American remakes; I really don't think it's such a big deal. In certain cases, remakes are way better than the original movies. For example, in my humble opinion, "Ringu" is a decent horror flick, moderately effective in terms of scare tactics, but I actually preferred "The Ring", perhaps because of the visual effects, perhaps because of the music, perhaps because the story was altered. I actually relate to the main characters who seem more genuine and frightened in the remake than in the original. And sometimes, remakes suck serious balls; yes, it happens, too. Thanks to a Hollywood remake - whether fantastic or awful -, you still manage to promote a wide range of foreign films, and this is a positive thing, I believe. By the way, anybody knows if [REC] is available in Canada and France?
Yes, I never said I was against remakes entirely. Especially when people bring their own interpretation of the film along with them. All I say is credit should be given where it is due. Just about all of the American public was well aware that The Ring was a Remake of Ringu. However, Quarantine does neither of these. It seems like it's going to be a complete shot-for-shot remake. I can't say this for certain as I obviously haven't seen the movie, but after seeing the trailers (which give away the end of the film for Christ's sake). And watching the exclusive clips posted here, I have seen absolutely no difference. Just Hollywood cashing in on someone else's genius.
Yep, there's definitely a lot of cash cows out there. I'm still trying to stay optimistic about "Quarantine". If it's going to be a shot-for-shot remake of [REC], which is a bit of a turn-off, I hope it'll be at least as ambitious as the "Psycho" remake in the 1990s.
Those of us who have seen REC know how awesome of a film it it. I want Quarantine to be as good. But the only time this American remake shit has really worked well was with The Ring. The rest have either missed some vital details or tried to make the movie look too glossy or glamorous. But, hopefully I will be wrong on this one.
I have no hope for this film. None of the trailers, clips, or whatever have impressed me. Giving away the ending? Yeah, that helps. I flat out refuse to see this heap until I get my hands on the original. Jennifer Carpenter or not. *lol*
I'm really looking forward to this!
[REC] was an awesome movie and the previews for Quarantine look very promising.
I have a feeling this will be a good one!
Would people stop saying that they show the end of the movie in the trailer. On almost every site I visit if there is news about this movie somebody always leaves a comment mentioning that they spoil the movie in the trailer. I've seen [REC] so I know what you're talking about but if I hadn't seen [REC] I'd be pissed about that comment. Also before I saw [REC] I viewed the trailer for it and that same shot was in that trailer so it's no different. I hope this movie is just as good because I loved [REC]. Would you guys be ok with this movie if in the trailer they mentioned it's a remake or are you just against remakes in general?
Like I said before, I'm not against remakes in general. I've enjoyed quite a few and I am looking forward to a bunch more. But this is just unnecessary in my opinion. A shot for shot cash in catering to the oblivious Americans who have no idea [REC] exists, partially due to the marketing. And those that are too ignorant to watch a subtitled film.
They had the ending in the [REC] trailer also. I loved [REC]
I will wait for Quarantine to show up on a movie channel, I won't pay for my viewing of it.
Aw give me break! I watched the trailers for BOTH films and already figured out they showed the ending and I've never seen either. *lol*
I'm not really against remakes, personally. In fact, if a lot of people did their homework, there are a LOT more films here in the America that were a remake of an earlier film, foreign or domestic. I'd rather one that can take the main focal point, but somehow put a different spin on it. [I.e. Assault on Prescient 13/ Gang members (original), corrupt cops (remake)]The whole 'shot for shot' thing doesn't work to well, IMO. (I.e. "Psycho")
These days the 'remake' is only used for the sole purpose of revenue and offers nothing. On top of that, the remakes are usually 'dumbed down' so that we Americans can 'relate' to the film more. ("The Uninvited" anyone?) Whatever. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.
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