CINEMA | TV | OTT | STREAMING
Enrique Okusuno
Gabriel Guzmán Sánchez
Antonio Gaëhd
TVMAS interviewed the producers of MALEFICARUM, Gabriel Guzmán Sánchez and Enrique Okusuno. A film in development.
IMAGYX Entertainment formalized the agreement to produce Maleficarum, the first film by director Antonio Gäehd. The film is in the development stage. “We hope to enter pre-production in mid-2025 to film and premiere in 2026” the producers explain to TVMAS and clarify that it is a production of IMAGYX Entertainment and Dark Mountain, with the direction of Antonio Gäehd and production of Enrique Okusono and Gabriel Guzmán who will film in the states of Nuevo León and San Luis Potosí in Mexico.
Let’s take a quick look at the Mexican film industry. What is the current reality and what do you expect the immediate future to be like in the absence of box office revenue in theaters?
Mexican cinema has a great opportunity to bring audiences back to theaters. It is true that, since the pandemic, Mexican cinema has not reported good box office numbers, despite being one of the countries that consumes the most film and television. Creators face the challenge of looking for different stories, talents and locations that will once again capture the public’s attention and imagination, and one area of opportunity is decentralization.
States such as Jalisco, Nuevo León and Baja California are seeking the development of new talents, facilitating access to locations and the implementation of public policies that turn them not only into sets, but into developers and producers of films.
What do you expect from IMCINE and other Mexican cultural organizations?
The change of direction at IMCINE and the Ministry of Culture provides an opportunity for its officials to capitalize on the efforts of the previous administration and producers to boost the industry by improving good practices and implementing new policies.
How do you analyze the American film industry with the drastic cuts in production by the major studios and alarming layoffs? And how do you see the changes with AI in this industry…
“Industries in general constantly suffer cycles. Although the American industry is in a stage of contraction, the demand for content is not, so opportunities will emerge for those who know how to take advantage of them.”
“We consider AI to be a useful tool for creators and we hope to avoid abuse of its use. But we find it difficult for AI to surpass human creativity and talent, at least in the short and medium term. However, it is a substitute for some creative functions or activities, but that will only make us more creative and productive.
THE STORY
Maleficarum is the story of Delia, an introverted girl who lives in a small and hostile town in northern Mexico, and who, after the death of a loved one, invokes supernatural help that allows her to bring curses against her enemies, at the cost of her own soul.
The project has received awards from the Feratum Festival, and was the winner of the Fantastic Pitch at the Guadalajara International Film Festival 2023, whose award secured her place in Cannes to present the story to international co-producers and distributors.
“I am very grateful to cooperate with IMAGYX to develop genre projects, such as Maleficarum, and to be able to bring them to international markets,” said Gaëhd. IMAGYX Entertainment will produce the project through Espectra Studio, its label for creating original content in horror, science fiction, suspense and fantasy genres.
Antonio Gaëhd has written and directed several genre projects: “Elisa Ilusa” and “Cuando la Vela se Apague”, while IMAGYX Entertainment is responsible for productions such as “Relatos Espectra”, “Comala” and “Recuperando a mi Ex”
Redacción TVMAS