David Gordon Green to remake Suspiria

[othervoice1]

I like the casting of Portman, but Im not sure this can be pulled off if it strays away from the original score and artistic style that made the original so good. Course one thing they can do is not have that corny ass bat scene- I loved Suspiria but always thought that bat scene took away from the serious mood of the film. I mean its funny to watch a little fake bat flying around but you really dont want to laugh when watching a movie like Suspiria. To me that was the originals only flaw and seemed out of place especially cuz the bat was so fake.

[NaturesMistake]

Originally Posted by rhett

Green was totally aping KILLER OF SHEEP and DAYS OF HEAVEN for his debut, but he really did come into his own with ATRG and UNDERTOW. I've got the man's back, especially if he has the nuts to tackle something like this. First Hanake with a remake of his own, and now Green...it's the arthouse wave of remakes - I like it.

Yeah, but wasn't Undertow just a remake of Night of the Hunter?

[Anaestheus]

Personally, this is a film that I always thought could hold up for a "remake" Not that the film was flawed or needed updating, but more in that the film is really open to more artistic interpretations. This film is so heavily drenched in Argento's style that, in my mind at least, it would be interesting so see other artists who are equally stylish re-interpret it. I've said elsewhere that I'd love to see Aronofsky tackle this one or even Fincher. In my mind, Suspiria could be like a cool jazz riff that gets worked over and personalized by film-makers with distinctive visual styles. And, I think Suspiria is more open to that sort of tinkering than, say, My Bloody Valentine.

Granted, I am not familiar with this Green fellow. And I am sure that the project in my head will most likely be more interesting than anything that actually hits the screen. But, my curiosity is still piqued.

[msw7]

My first reaction was "Why?" but that was knowing nothing about it other than "remake".

After reading the comments here, I think some interesting points have been raised, and I'm willing to wait and see - I have doubts that it will come near the original, but am now a little curious to see what will happen.

I had doubts about the Dawn of the Dead remake, and didn't hate that one - though the original is still far more of a favorite, and I don't think the remake approached it, it didn't suck.

[Mazurka Macabre]

For the most part I don't think Suspiria would be hard to remake successfully. The reason? Most of it is pretty hilariously dreadful. The acting, the set design, the plot, many of the effects (THE BAT!), etc.

Argento was stylish, but in a distinctly unrestrained and Italian sort of way. Although the visuals of the film are brilliant, they are brilliant despite being amateurish and heavy-handed. I think translating Argento's Suspiria into a less garish, but still stylized and colorful, world is entirely possible. (I think the big downfall of Mother of Tears was that it didn't live up to this expectation---that it be a refined version of Suspiria and Inferno that would strike the ideal balance between the Argento opulence of old and the contemporary desire for realistic and convincing visuals.) A film that retains the art house dream structure and a strong, symbolic visual style - and that takes itself seriously - could be a huge success in a horror landscape that is oversaturated with the bleak, the sordid, the industrial, and the realistic.

Originally Posted by dwatts

Well, the narrative of the film is easy to discern, so I don't know why it would be difficult to remake. [...] Frankly the biggest challenge will be the music, how the hell do you top that?

I agree entirely. Don't over-think or complicate the narrative and the movie will be fine. The big deal will be the music. If they have a traditional, lackluster horror score it will be something that critics and Suspiria fans will lament. What they have to do is find a compelling musician and have that person create a score that is a work of art that runs parallel to the film, like Goblin's soundtrack for the original.

[Erick H.]

Green is a capable director.So is Neil LaBute,who turned in the infamous remake of THE WICKER MAN.The original WICKER was one of those unique cult films that was just not gonna work as a remake,it was too specific,too much it's own thing to be able to hold up to a redress,no matter how well intentioned.I don't expect Green to have Nick Cage running around as a fistfighting bear but I still think remaking something as offbeat as SUSPIRIA is asking for trouble.Cult films have something (often hard to describe) that is specific and special to them.Setting out to remake a film like that is like waiting for lightning to strike twice in the same spot.At best you'll be disapointed,at worst you get burned by a near miss.

[DVD-fanatic-9]

Originally Posted by Mazurka Macabre

Most of it is pretty hilariously dreadful. The acting

You know, I've heard this before. And it's bullshit. Pure, utter bullshit. Daniel did a great job when he got up and yelled at Miss Tanner. Olga was great. Sara was great. Madame Blanc was great. Marc (?) was great. Frank was great. Milius was great. Albert was great. The old ladies chopping meat were great.

And something else- I'm getting pretty goddamned sick and tired of certain people around here (2 that I can count, but that's enough with me) criticizing the acting of great horror movies like Dawn of the Dead, Suspiria, and others by the traditional standards of acting. Horror is not a traditional genre. It always changes, to fit the need of the person who wants to find the horror movie they're watching entertaining. Because horror is the one genre I've found where there is no justification needed for anyone to defend a movie they liked. This doesn't work for other genres. Horror is different and special. But in a way, that's beside the point. The point is- Suspiria works. The acting qualities you see don't hinder or hurt the film at all. And I don't appreciate your attitude that they do.

Originally Posted by Mazurka Macabre

the set design, the plot, many of the effects (THE BAT!), etc.

Effects - I'll give you.

The Plot - this is Argento, he can make anything work if he's in charge (read or listen to Alan Jones for more on that, how his lesser films have all been the result of other people tampering). The plot works and it works well. Because this is Argento. If you disagree, you are free to be completely wrong but think you're right.

The set design... no idea what you're talking about. And unlike criticisms you might have made about the plot and the acting, I would very much like to hear criticisms you have about the set design.

Originally Posted by Mazurka Macabre

Argento was stylish, but in a distinctly unrestrained and Italian sort of way. Although the visuals of the film are brilliant, they are brilliant despite being amateurish and heavy-handed.

Heavy-handed? Maybe compared to non-Italian films. But there's nothing amateurish about this film. Aside from the special effects.

[rhett]

Green has a very eclectic style - all his movies have a wonderful visual presence that harks back to the artier, showier times when Argento's original was made. I think it should be a fine fit there. Questions abound about the score, and I echo Mr. Macabre (welcome back, by the way!) the music needs to stand apart. That is one thing about all these remakes - I can't think of a single one with a really unique or even notable score. All your standard jump scare orchestral crap. If there is one film they need to go out on a limb for stylistically, it's SUSPIRIA.

Yeah, but wasn't Undertow just a remake of Night of the Hunter?

The story is pretty similar, but the style is all Green. That's been one of the most visually exciting and refreshing movies I've seen in the last ten years or so. As long as Tim Orr is back behind the cinematography of SUSPIRIA all will be well.

[Workshed]

I'd like to see them scale back rather than try to "top" Suspiria in terms of set, style, and music. There's just no way to compete with Argento's vision in the aforementioned.

Give it a more linear story, a stark, minimalist look, and it could work.

[The Chaostar]

Let it be recorded that I agree with what DVD-fanatic-9 said.

[rhett]

Originally Posted by The Chaostar

Let it be recorded that I agree with what DVD-fanatic-9 said.

Dude, it's October 1st, not April 1st!

[springjack]

Some movies should be left alone...

What?s missing??? Michael Bay directing a remake of the Godfather?
________
Upskirt teen

[DVD-fanatic-9]

Originally Posted by rhett

Dude, it's October 1st, not April 1st!

At least I didn't defend Cannibal Holocaust.

[Ash28M]

Let it be recorded that I also agree with what what DVD-fanatic-9 said.

What we are most likely to get with this remake is a film that tries improved on the acting and effects with a CGI Bat and everything the haters can't get over. The consequence of this will most likely be a film that fails to capture what made the film Brilliant in the first place. The atmosphere, the music, the visuals and it's tone, you just easily can't duplicate that. I doubt even Argento himself could. Suspira is simply a unique nightmarish masterpiece.

[DVD-fanatic-9]

I think I've said something before about being confident in Green's ability to tell stories. But when it comes to horror, yes some directors were able to deliver great, memorable films even if they had no experience in the genre (Rob Reiner, Jonathan Demme, Robert Zemeckis). But directors of this calibre just don't do horror anymore. And if they did, it was hampered by CGI (Peter Jackson, Stephen Frears).

But for me... remakes that are better than even most other remakes, that standard just isn't good enough to warrant this remake. I was very excited to see what this remake could bring to the table. But I've also got to say- it's just too late to remain optimistic. Even about a project that a serious director is attached to. We've had too many abominations, too many untouchable films have been touched, too many good films have been questioned... And now, the entire possibility for a director to come along and really do something different is nil.

Even if DGG could make it happen, he would run into studio and marketing interference so many times- he would seriously regret even trying. And, am I thinking of someone else on some other remake...or was he quoted as saying Suspiria isn't a great movie?