Horror flicks were once barely a rung above porn: that’s all changed
By Garry Maddox
In the two decades since Leigh Whannell and James Wan launched their careers with the first Saw, there has been a dramatic change in respect for horror films.
“When the first Saw movie came out, horror was like one rung above porn in terms of industry respect,” Whannell says. “Now, all of a sudden, horror has been embraced wholeheartedly.”
“When the first Saw movie came out, horror was like one rung above porn”: Leigh Whannell.
After success with the Saw and Insidious series and the films Upgrade and The Invisible Man, the prolific Australian writer, director, producer and sometime actor is gearing up for the release of the Hollywood horror Wolf Man in cinemas next month.
“Similarly to The Invisible Man, it’s sort of a modern take on a monster movie,” Whannell says. “I’m right in the crosshairs of that phase where you’re nervous and excited about the release.”
Leigh Whannell (right) on the Wolfman set with cinematographer Stefan Duscio.Credit: Universal Studios
After Wolf Man, Whannell has another commitment – an In Conversation session that will go deeply into his career – at the five-day festival the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts is holding to coincide with its awards on the Gold Coast in February.
It is one of more than 100 mostly free events at what is being styled as “Sundance at Surfers” for its hopes of attracting not just film and TV talent from other states but also tourists.
Despite living, largely working and raising three children with his actor-writer wife Corbett Tuck in the States, Whannell says he still feels very connected to Australia.
“It’s big part of my identity,” he says. “So if something like the AACTA Festival is asking me to be involved then that’s something that I want to do.”
The festival includes In Conversation sessions with The Greatest Showman and Better Man director Michael Gracey, Oscar-winning cinematographers John Seale and Greig Fraser and the Working Dog team.
Musician and screenwriter Meg Washington, pictured with director husband Nick Waterman, will performa at a How to Make Gravy concert.Credit: Binge
There will be live performances by Paul Kelly, Meg Washington and other musicians in a How To Make Gravy concert, Meet the Creators panels that include the Netflix hit Boy Swallows Universe and Meet the Nominees panels. Other sessions will cover auditioning, new forms of film financing, networking, casting, crime writing, stunts, industry survival tips, visual effects, Marvel v DC films, and Taylor Swift fandom.
Screenings include the Australian film Spit, which has David Wenham returning in the sequel to Gettin’ Square.
AACTA’s director of programming and international engagement, Sam Buckland, expects more than 15,000 people to attend the festival’s second year, which runs from February 5 to 9. It includes the main awards on February 7.
“We want to engage the local community in Queensland, but we also want to create a festival vibe in another city that’s not far away where people can fly in, spend a few days, go to all sorts of different activities related to screen and meet up with colleagues,” he says.
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday