1 week ago
4
Genre filmmaker Alex Kahuam, in Cannes for the market premiere of his thriller “The Remedy,” is prepping his next feature, the large-scale horror film “Stay With Me,” described as his most ambitious project to date.
Pitched as “‘It Follows’ on steroids,” “Stay With Me” is a supernatural psychological horror film set against the backdrop of a music festival.
“It features three compelling female leads and a truly terrifying entity,” Kahuam told Variety. “This high-concept horror film boasts a unique and striking style.”
The Mexican director is looking at possibly shooting the film in Europe, with Hungary and Spain high on his list for potential locations, with some specific scenes in the U.S.
“I’m particularly thrilled about this project as it represents the most ambitious horror screenplay I’ve written to date. After nearly three years of dedicated refinement, I’m incredibly pleased with the current state of the script and believe it’s fully prepared for production,” he said.
“The central climax of the film draws inspiration from a life-threatening personal experience, which has been transformed into a chilling analogy within the horror narrative.”
Kahuam is aiming to shoot the film by the end of the year.
He will be re-teaming on the project with cinematographer Diego Cacho, who lensed “The Remedy.”
“Diego’s work on ‘The Remedy’ is outstanding and I want to keep working with him. He is confirmed to shoot ‘Stay With Me,'” Kahuam said, noting that he and Cacho were childhood friends who grew up together and continue to share their passion for creating magic.
“Stay With Me” will also mark the second collaboration between Kahuam Films and L.A.-based Sparta Productions.
“Roberta, the founder of Sparta Prods., was an excellent producing partner on ‘The Remedy,’ and we’ve been eager to work together again ever since,” Kahuam noted. “It’s clear that both our companies share a strong ambition to create more genre films.
“In fact, ‘Stay With Me’ isn’t our only current project; we’ve also partnered on another horror film that is currently in development and which we are bringing to the market as well.”
Kahuam is also taking part in the Cannes Film Market’s Producers Network this year. “I’m very excited to be able to connect with film producers from all around the world who have been in my shoes and know the state of independent filmmaking. I’ve already connected with a couple of producers and we will have meetings about all the slate of genre films that we have at Kahuam Films.”
The helmer is bringing three other projects that include “a horror slasher film in the vein of A24 and Neon, another supernatural horror film set in Europe that I co-wrote along with Estonian filmmaker-actress Christin Muuli and a heist action thriller film I’ve written.”
Kahuam returns this year to the Marché du Film’s Fantastic Pavilion genre showcase with “The Remedy” after attending the inaugural event in 2023 with his one-take thriller “Failure!,” starring Ted Raimi.
“The Remedy” stars Timothy Granaderos (“13 Reasons Why”) as a young man who inadvertently unleashes a supernatural entity while attempting to save his terminally ill mother.
English (US) ·