HERE COMES THE DEVIL: Director Profile: Adrián García Bogliano

Argentinian director Adrián García Bogliano embarked upon his career making short films his in the late '90s, but it was only a decade later that he jumped  into features with 2004's Riddlebox. Since then, he's been a busy man; just check out his IMDB profile. 

Bogliano's 2006 feature, 36 Steps (also known as Bloody Birthday), was low in budget but high in gore, offering a twist on the sexism inherent in many slasher films. The thrilling Cold Sweat was a hit at SXSW, presenting familiar genre elements through Bogilano's distinctive, groundbreaking style. The Polanski-influenced, slow burning Penumbra screened at Fantastic Fest in 2011. This film, which uses the intriguing setting of a solar eclipse, dares to make the central character as unlikable as possible.

Now that there's some well-deserved buzz around this talented new filmmaker, horror aficionados as well as fans are in luck: Synapse Films recently acquired the rights to three of his older films: Rooms For Tourists (2004), I'll Never Die Alone (2008), and Watch 'Em Die (2009).

Although Bogliano has stated he's dedicated to making horror films, he insists on pushing the boundaries of the genre. In a recent interview with Twitch, he discusses how horror is a good way to comment on political issues, especially for younger generations of the film audience. He describes Cold Sweat as "an exhausting thrill-ride" that still makes a "grand conversation" possible. He's quick to point out, however, that what's important for him is "telling good stories, making your audience glad they came to the theater or rented the movie, continuing to be able to work."

Here Comes The Devil, Bogliano's latest and highly-anticipated film, is also the first of his creations to appear in the Toronto International Film Festival. The plot seems simple enough, but with Bogliano at the helm you know there will be chilling surprises in store. While on a family trip, two young kids disappear briefly. Although their parents are overjoyed when they are reunited, their happiness turns to horror as it becomes quickly apparent that they're not quite the same and worse, that something sinister and supernatural is to blame.

Here Comes The Devil, explained Bogliano to Indiewire, was partly inspired by Nicholas Roeg's 1973 masterpiece Don't Look Now as well as the unique and perhaps unexpected location of Tijuana, a city with an interesting energy and history. Bogliano's fascination with Tijuana is partly due to his recent relocation to Mexico, where he's started a new production company, Salto de Fe Films.

Be sure to check out Here Comes The Devil, especially if you're planning on vacationing in Tijuana anytime in the near future.

HERE COMES THE DEVIL screening times:

Tues., Sept. 11^th, 6:00PM, BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
Wed., Sept. 13^th, 7:00PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 3

Sun., Sept. 16^th, 3:30PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 4