‘Nosferatu’ Director Reveals the Film’s Biggest Influence

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As a cinephile with a deep appreciation for the evolution of horror cinema, I must admit that Robert Eggers’ approach to the modern revival of “Nosferatu” has piqued my interest. Having grown up watching classics like F.W. Murnau’s original and Werner Herzog’s adaptation, it’s fascinating to see a director like Eggers draw inspiration from Jack Clayton’s “The Innocents.

In 2024, Robert Eggers – the director behind the highly-anticipated “Nosferatu” – has shared the sources of inspiration he drew upon while crafting his adaptation of F.W. Murnau’s classic film with the same title. Interestingly enough, “Nosferatu” is not a vampire movie per se.

As a cinephile penning my thoughts on the timeless classic, Nosferatu, I recently delved into a conversation with Eggers about its intricate layers. The director elucidated on the film’s enduring sexual undertones, a recurring theme across all adaptations of this chilling tale. In 1922, Murnau artfully disguised such sensual elements, while in 1979, Werner Herzog found himself navigating similar waters with his rendition titled Nosferatu the Vampyre.

In the 2024 adaptation, Eggers chose to emulate his greatest inspiration for Nosferatu to spark the audience’s imagination. This source of inspiration was Jack Clayton’s outstanding film, The Innocents, also known as The Turn of the Screw. According to Eggers, this is his method.

Among the significant movies that inspired this film is Jack Clayton’s “The Innocents,” which subtly hints at the sexual content, allowing it to resonate deeply within your mind. The subtlety makes it incredibly potent. I’ve encountered adaptations of “The Turn of the Screw” where they directly portray the sexuality, but those versions lack the impact. Therefore, our decision to bring the implicit themes into the open was indeed a risky move.

The unique perspective of the narrative, which is solely from Ellen’s point of view, the female protagonist, might contribute to its effectiveness. This focus on a female character who is a sleepwalker enables deeper opportunities for emotional and mental intricacy since we delve into her experiences more intimately.

One of the most striking examples of Gothic terror, titled “The Innocents“, features Deborah Kerr as Miss Giddens, a governess brought in to look after some unsettling children residing at Bly Manor. This movie is frequently hailed as one of the top supernatural horror films ever made and has been likened to “The Haunting“, Robert Wise’s well-known haunted house film from 1963.

You Would Never Guess Who Supported Eggers When Making Such a Bleak Vampire Film

The director additionally discussed collaborating with his creative producer, who is renowned in Hollywood for movies such as “Home Alone” and “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” It did come as a surprise when we learned that Chris Columbus was venturing into horror films, particularly “Nosferatu.” However, Eggers was quite open about Columbus’ significant role in the production of our film.

One intriguing aspect was that the creative producer was Chris Columbus, an unexpected pairing considering our distinct filmmaking styles. However, working alongside a seasoned Hollywood storytelling veteran like him, scrutinizing every frame daily, proved incredibly beneficial. Despite creating different films, he wasn’t attempting to ‘Columbus-ify’ Nosferatu; instead, his focus was on making this the best Robert Eggers film possible.

However, Chris’s approach often served as a counterbalance to the artistic leanings that Jarin Blaschke and I might sometimes indulge. He provided a useful check, asking questions like, “Are we effectively conveying the story at this point?” Many of these discussions took place during the pre-production phase, particularly when Chris was examining the storyboards. Ideally, I’d want Chris to produce all of my films.

As a passionate cinephile looking back, my friendship with Chris Columbus has deep roots. It all began during the production of my movie, “The Witch.” In a pinch due to financial constraints, luck was on my side when Eleanor Columbus, Chris’ daughter, admired the film and persuaded her father to assist in completing this chilling feature.

In an article for Variety, Eggers shares that despite being occupied with the production of Nosferatu, he’s managed to catch a few movies. When queried about his favorite horror movie of 2024, he enthusiastically endorsed one that many would agree is outstanding: “I found The Substance particularly impressive. It possessed a coherent, distinct, and precise vision, and its execution was top-notch. As a filmmaker, you can’t help but appreciate it and advocate for it.

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2024-12-26 23:32