Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed Mexican director, is in England to receive a BFI fellowship—and to buy a haunted house. In a wide-ranging interview, he discusses ghosts, monsters, UFOs, and the almost-destructive experience of working with the Weinsteins.
A Love for Ghosts and the Unknown
Del Toro recounts his first ghostly encounter at age 11, when he sensed his late uncle's presence. This inspired the sighing ghost-boy Santi in The Devil's Backbone. Later, while in New Zealand for The Hobbit, he heard the sounds of a murder in his hotel room. He is now looking to purchase a haunted house in the UK, calling England "the land of ghosts." He also saw a UFO at 14, describing it as a "crack" that lets the mystery of the universe rush in.
Monsters and Misunderstanding
Del Toro's monsters are often wondrous and misunderstood, reflecting human nature. He identifies with them more than superheroes. His adaptation of Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi, was influenced by Terence Fisher's Hammer films. Taylor Swift, a fan of The Shape of Water and Pan's Labyrinth, used Del Toro-esque imagery in her song "Anti-Hero."
Career and Challenges
Del Toro's debut, Cronos, a vampire horror, was unfashionable at the time. He faced critical and commercial ups and downs, including near-destruction by the Weinsteins on Mimic. He turned down Harry Potter, X-Men, and Narnia to stay true to his vision. Despite writing over 40 screenplays, he has made only 13 films.
Current Projects and Philosophy
After completing Frankenstein, Del Toro is working on a stop-motion adaptation of The Buried Giant, an R-rated film with no songs. He aims to capture "inefficient" micro-gestures for realism. Reflecting on his father's lottery win and restlessness, Del Toro now feels a serene emptiness: "All pain comes from desire. If you simply want to breathe, that's a very good place to be." He believes art can correct lives by small degrees and hopes the mystery of cinema never fades.
Cronos is re-released in cinemas from 15 May, with a BFI season of del Toro's films at BFI Southbank, London, until 31 May.
