PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Filmmaker Lucio A. Rojas is stunning audiences with his ultra-violent depiction of political and personal madness in the Artsploitation Films release of his movie, Trauma (you can read our review of the film here). It is a relentless spectacle, definitely not suited for the faint of heart or those easily offended, but if you’re a fan of extreme horror, it’s simply magnificent. Even the most seasoned viewer will walk away impressed, including myself. I decided I needed to ask this man some questions. Lucio gives us the gory details on his love of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, getting his highly controversial film made in Chile, and how horror can even help heal.
PopHorror: I would imagine it was not easy to find financial backers for Trauma, with its horror and political themes. How was this process for you, and how did you pitch the film to potential producers?
Lucio A Rojas: Actually, in Chile, it is difficult to make all kinds of movies. But to carry out fantasy and horror projects is almost impossible. In this case, I was lucky that producer Rodrigo Fernández really liked my previous film, Sendero, so almost immediately, we started working together on Trauma, which I already had written. I was afraid that I could never realize it due to its extreme violence and harshness. So in this regard, I consider myself fortunate about how things happened.
PopHorror: Lucio, you have said that making Trauma came from a rage within you, a rage that has escalated watching corrupt politicians, not only in your own country but seemingly all over the world, come to power. Do you know if this anger was also felt by your cast and crew?
Lucio A Rojas: That is true. Trauma is born from rage. The impunity that exists in Chile rages me and all of us… the anger about social injustices and the violence towards human rights that my country experienced – that Latin America lived through – and the fact that, despite the years, nothing has really improved. In our country, torturers and criminals of the Pinochet dictatorship are still free or are being held in a jail with every possible comfort. The starting point to develop the project was to talk about issues that get us angry, and this was understood by everyone in the crew and cast who, from the beginning, were imbued with the film, understood that we had a great responsibility to deal with these issues and that it should be done with a lot of professionalism and respect. So it was.
PopHorror: Some will most certainly say that Trauma is ultimately just gratuitous ultra-violence. How do you feel about that?
Lucio A Rojas: That they should watch it so they will verify there is nothing for free in the film. Everything is documented, and I assure you that life is much more sadistic and violent. The question you can ask me about the project is: “Is it necessary to make such a violent film to tell this story?” To which I respond, without thinking too much: “Yes.” It is clearly the task of the filmmaker to not only develop politically correct projects. It is necessary that the filmmaker also do works that are uncomfortable and difficult for the viewer.Films that not only lead them to experience entertaining situations but unpleasant ones as well. That is necessary.
PopHorror: Do you believe there is any healing, cathartic value to horror films?
Lucio A Rojas: I don’t know what, exactly, the personal experiences of producers or directors of films similar to Trauma are, but I am sure that this must exist. It is impossible to make a project of this type, so risky in which you have more to lose than to win, if you don’t have something very personal that impels you to do it. But yes, connecting with evil can cause oneself to end up absorbing pure malevolence that can affects your own life. That’s why I always talk about respect, and that this must prevail to develop projects like this one.
PopHorror: The level of brutality and violence in Trauma is astounding. Was it difficult to find the talented actors and actresses that you did for your film?
Lucio A Rojas: The truth is… no. I had in mind all the cast I wanted for Trauma from the beginning. The only thing I was afraid of was the possibility to scare them away once they knew the plot of the film, in case they did not want to get involved in such a controversial and polemic story that sometimes ends up playing against an actor’s career. But they all joined the project quickly. They believed in it and, above all, they added much of their own spirit, talent and creativity to make the characters grow. I will always be very grateful to all of them for believing in this film that must be done in Chile.
PopHorror: There are scenes in Trauma that include some really fantastic effects, displaying the talent that you, your DP Sebastian Ballek and FX team all possess. Was there anything that was in the original script that you just couldn’t possibly achieve due to budget, time, or resources that you wish would have been able to work out?
Lucio A Rojas: There was nothing left outside. The film is very low budget. In North America, they make a film with this magnitude of practical effects, VFXs, prosthetics and digital composition, and it costs at least $1 million or more. But we had a small percentage of such a budget, and our jobs were to make an extensive pre-production so that Director of Photography Sebastian Ballek, Special Effects Manager Isabella Marchesse and the VFX company Jump Cats were all working in permanent communication to have a clear idea about how they would execute each one of the scenes and considering the time we had for it. This aspect of the movie was the most planified of the entire film with the purpose to create some of the most spectacular sequences that many people around the world are now talking about.
PopHorror: I have noticed that you are a big fan of Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Being from Texas originally, I am also a huge fan. What is it about the film that you love so much? What are some other films you admire or that have inspired you?
Lucio A Rojas: Well, Texas Chain Saw Massacre is the ultimate, and not only because it has the best title in the history of horror movies. It is absolutely mythical. It was more than just a popular event. It is the kind of work that not only influences a lot of cinema, but has grown over time. It inspired me, motivated me to make films and to be especially authentic in what I want to tell, even at the risk of making mistakes and not having all the necessary resources. When I become worldwide president, it will be a requirement to watch it in all schools.
PopHorror: If you could collaborate with any person, living or dead, on any type of film, who would it be and what kind of movie would you pick?
Lucio A Rojas: I think Vincent Price… his magnificent presence would fit very well for a tough and violent film as a cruel killer. And a cameo, in the same film, as a victim, Hitchcock would be wonderful.
We want to thank Lucio for taking the time to speak with us. Keep it tuned to PopHorror for all of your pop and horror news, reviews and interviews!
