September 30, 2015

Blumhouse.com: The “Cannibal” sub-genre is such a unique thing, not only for horror, but for Italian cinema in general. I have a very distinct memory of catching a midnight screening of CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, and all I can say is I was forever changed after seeing that film. What was the first of the Italian “cannibal” films that you personally saw? How’d you feel after experiencing this rare sub-genre for the first time?

Eli Roth: The first film I saw was MAKE THEM DIE SLOWLY on VHS when I was 13. I didn’t know the title was CANNIBAL FEROX or that it was Italian, since it was dubbed in English. I just remember how real it looked, especially Zora Kerova hanging from her breasts on the hooks. It’s still a fairly shocking film, although now I’ve seen it so many times I’m immune to it. There’s a terrific Blu ray Grindhouse Releasing put out with interviews with the cast. I saw CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST when I was 19 and it blew my mind. It took probably 10 years for me to figure out which movie was which and what order they were made in, which is why I put the cannibal filmography in the end credits of THE GREEN INFERNO.

BH: One of the things that turns people off from these films, in particular CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, is the real “animal violence.” In more recent years, Grindhouse Releasing has even gone as far as to offer versions of the movie on DVD & Blu-Ray with those scenes cut out. BUT I feel that as upsetting as those scenes are, their inclusion is pivotal for the impact of the ending. When the people become victims of the cannibals, I thought they were being killed! What are your feelings about that controversial aspect of CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, and why did you choose to avoid scenes like that in THE GREEN INFERNO?

ER: Those films are very much a product of their time. People killed animals all the time in movies, just not so graphically. Every time you see a horse fall in an old western that horse was shot after they yelled cut. That’s how they did it. When you see a chimp in a movie it’s a baby and its entire family was killed to get it. So my feeling is you don’t have to enjoy it but don’t get so sanctimonious about it eating steak and wearing fur. In THE GREEN INFERNO, the students are treated lower than the animals, they become the food supply. Why waste a cow when you have all these invaders in your village?

BH: One of the things that stands out about the original “cannibal” movies is their scores! The juxtaposition of Riz Ortolani’s gorgeous music for CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, or the beautiful music that Roberto Donati did for CANNIBAL FEROX. How important is music when it comes not only to these “cannibal” films, but even for your own films? I thought the score that Manual Riveiro did for THE GREEN INFERNO was great, and also very much in line with the “cannibal” movies scores I just mentioned.

ER: I of course sent Manu those scores to get him in the mood but we wanted our own distinct sound. We’re not out to fetishize or imitate those films, this is my version of that type of film but it’s for 2015 audiences. Manu wrote a spectacular score, one that’s big and epic and exciting. We never approached it as a “cannibal” movie.

BH: When people mention Ruggero Deodato, they usually associate him with CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. It’s his most notorious film, and you dedicated THE GREEN INFERNO to him and even brought him to the premiere! BUT, Ruggero has such a rich history in film. In particular, I love his action picture LIVE LIKE A COP, DIE LIKE A MAN, which is bonkers! As a diehard fan yourself, what are some of your favorite Deodato’s films that you would recommend people seek out?

ER: Absolutely LIVE LIKE A COP, it’s an amazing film. I just watched it last week, it’s so damn good. And they really ran those motorcycles all over Rome – the first 20 minutes of that movie are incredible. You don’t see anyone making movies like that today, those guys were insane. Viva Deodato!

BH: Lastly, it seems that Umberto Lenzi’s CANNIBAL FEROX and CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST are the most well-known of the “cannibal” sub-genre. Besides FEROX and HOLOCAUST, what are some of your other favorite “cannibal” movies that genre fans absolutely should check out?

ER: Absolutely. For some erotic fun check out D’Amato’s EMANUELLE AND THE LAST CANNIBALS and MASSACRE IN DINOSAUR VALLEY by Tarantini. They’re both so much fun, the story never stops, the girls are ridiculously hot, and the cannibal scenes are fantastic. I saw both of them after I made THE GREEN INFERNO and they are the same spirit. Also Sergio Martino’s MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD is spectacular. That was a big influence on me. They risked their lives shooting that one, it’s an amazing film.

THE GREEN INFERNO is now playing in select theaters!