With Rogue Pictures' The Last House on the Left only weeks away, legendary horror director Wes Craven has been in the spotlight talking about a slew of upcoming projects. Beyond the break you can read all about his thoughts on the remake of his first film, what he thinks of Funny Games, violence in society and the Elm Street remake.
Last week Rogue Pictures gave B-D the first look at their remake of THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. Following the screening, I was treated to a special one-on-one interview with one of my all-time favorite directors, Wes Craven, who had all sorts of great things to talk about. Unfortunately, a lot of our audio was lost in the midst of the loud bar, but below you’ll find some of the bits and pieces we were able to string together. Hopefully one day we’ll be able to go in depth and learn more from the master of horror.
Something that had always stuck in my head was that Wes Craven had stated on a commentary track for the original THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT that he never wanted to revisit that experience ever again. It perplexed me why he’d produce the remake.
“It was taken to such a different place and had access to very, very seasoned actors, great actors,” he explains. “$90,000 doesn’t go very far in 1973 or whenever it was – we were kind of inventing how to make movie my making one. [With the remake] I wasn’t there every day... I took a step back; I looked at dailies everyday and everything. Dennis just took it to such a wonderful place and the actors look so good. It wasn’t like going back it was like going forward in a way.”
The original film was a reflection of the Vietnam War, which made me wonder what exactly the new film could be reflecting upon. Unfortunately a lot of the audio was inaudible, but he did explain that it’s a reflection on America and the invasion in the home with TV. But he also had a very logical thought to add.
“I think any film that’s made with passion by the actor and the director is a reflection of the time. It’s the reason why it gets made and the reason why certain actors are attracted,” he explains.
Speaking of violence on film, I needed to know what he thought of FUNNY GAMES, which was a brutal attack on our genre, the genre Craven helped create.
“I feel like he needs to get laid,” he jokes with a big smile, “he’s like an unhappy young man. You can say ‘ok, it’s all corrupt and throw the actress off the back of the boat in (inaudible),’” he continues, “I didn’t think we pulled that many punches in LAST HOUSE originally. In a way I sympathize with what he’s doing … I watched FUNNY GAMES, if it’s so cruel and so hard, I understand what he’s trying to do, but at the same time it’s like even at the worst of times people find ways to have a moment of tenderness or laughter or something. I don’t mind that he made it. It just felt like dogma; like it was done by people who take their religion too seriously [and] are willing to burn people at the stake for it.”
The age-old question is, does violence on screen cause violence in real life?
“I’ve been doing this 40 years and I’ve never had anything ugly happen from a fan,” he explains with a smile. “I’ve had nothing but sweetness and complements from people saying ‘you gave me nightmares as a kid, thank you!’ “
But while the conversation was mostly smiles, Craven is still (understandably) sour about the ELM STREET franchise.
“I have no ownership of it,” he explains. “I’m close friends with Sean Cunningham and seeing the thing he sort of came up with, FRIDAY THE 13TH, and I just got a bad deal. I was broke and everybody else thought it was interesting and all. Bob [Shaye] says ‘sign here, trust me were friends’… and here we are.” He also injected how hurt he is and that it does sadden him to see his film being remade.
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT hits theaters March 13.
Sooo...is the reason Craven doesn't support the new Nightmare remake because he's not a part of it? Because he sure doesn't seem to mind all the other remakes of his movies!
I am sad that Shaye took the franchise from under him, but I wonder what it would have been like if Craven stayed in charge of Freddy? Would we have had many sequels? Would they have stayed dark? Interesting to think about.
FUnny games sucked big ass. It was the slowest movie I ever seen. It wasn't even close to brutal. And its not a horror movie at all, it's a drama thiller.
so..Craven sounds slightly jealous of Funny Games, which to me is the best sort of thriller/horror movie like that I have ever seen. Last house wanst even a good film, why remake it?
I would think if someone were to do something better than you, you would applaud them or not say anything. Im suprised Craven lowered himself to this level.
Wes can still come out with some good shit. I do wish he would have something to do with the Elm Street remake. Which I'm really not that excited about. Wes still kicks ass!!!
Wes Craven created my favorite horror icon ... and that movie shouldn't be remade. You can remake Jason ... he's a faceless moron of a character ... sure, we love him ... but he ain't no personality! Freddy, the evil brual killer from the first film, is full of character and evil personality. This and Robocop are two movies they need to leave the freaking hell alone. Craven has every right to be pissed about the Nightmare situation. He was duped out of HIS creation.
Are you serious??? He's upset that Nightmare is being remade. He's remaking all his classic movies like Last House on the Left, Hills Have Eyes, Serpent and the Rainbow, People Under the Stairs and Shocker. Maybe he's upset that he has nothing to do with it. But it seems weird of him to say that it saddens him to see his movie remade.
Firstly ,Michael Haneke should be congratulated, hes a genius.
Secondly, its a shame Wes no longer has control over HIS creation and no input into the no doubt terrible remake coming our way. Hope all goes well with 25/8, Wes!
I agree with the past posts. Wes seems a little pissed, upset about Elm Street, but is totally cool with all his other movies being remade ? I think it speaks volumes that he signed his rights away years ago and will get next to nothing for the Elm Street remake. This happens to musicians all the the time Wes, sign a bad deal when your young and hungry, only to get screwed in the end. Take it for what it is, you got famous and a ton more work after this and I'm sure your not hurting for cash in these bad economic times.
i'm am glad to hear from wes, he is one great guy and i hope someday to be half the man he is in the horror genre. too bad he's not apart of the 'nightmare' remake. all these remakes, not to say i'm not enjoying them all but is there no new ideas? i could give you a few.
Wes got shafted on the NOES franchise! If his influence was involved in the sequels to some extent, writer/producer whatever, we would have had a much more quality series of horror films. I've heard his original draft of ' The Dream Warriors' was dark, brutal, surreal and had a evocative vision. He also wanted to direct it apparently! But his script was rewritten and he was kicked out out of the director's chair. But it was still the best sequel in the series - due to his involvement! He also got burnt on royalties - fuck you Hollywood!
I can't understand the hate for Funny games? It was brutal and violent without being gory or over-the-top. It was anti-cliqued and something unique. Wes Craven is one of my favorite directors of all time. A nightmare on Elm Street was a masterpiece in my opinion. Scream wasn't as good as Nightmare, in my opinion, but I thought Scream was really good too. I also saw his indie flick, The serpent and rainbow and that was well done. Now, I just have to see Scream 2, Scream 3, The last house on the left (1972), New Nightmare and I've officially seen all of Wes Craven's films he directed.
id be pissed off too bout the noes remake. he created it.....i agree with you slashtastic......good to hear from wes......noes should NOT Be remade. hollywood is going to screw it up big time.
I agree with Wes, this remake is going to suck. Has anyone noticed that the best Freddy movies were the one's that he was involved in?(not saying that I did'nt like the others cuz I did)PD can suck it.
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Last week Rogue Pictures gave B-D the first look at their remake of THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. Following the screening, I was treated to a special one-on-one interview with one of my all-time favorite directors, Wes Craven, who had all sorts of great things to talk about. Unfortunately, a lot of our audio was lost in the midst of the loud bar, but below you’ll find some of the bits and pieces we were able to string together. Hopefully one day we’ll be able to go in depth and learn more from the master of horror.
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