Guillermo del Toro Finds Comfort in Death as He Embarks on New Creative Journey
For the acclaimed director, who has just wrapped up his latest masterpiece, "Frankenstein," taking on a new project can feel like giving birth - and in a way, it is. Del Toro's latest opus may be about life and rebirth, but when asked about his own mortality during a recent talk at the Marrakech Film Festival, he couldn't help but express his fascination with death.
"Why should you want to live longer?" del Toro posed to the audience, which included journalists, film students, and even his wife, screenwriter Kim Morgan. "I'm a big fan of death... I think death is really good. I'm certainly looking forward to it, because it's the day you go, 'Well, tomorrow I won't have any problems.'" The statement, while seeming morbid at first glance, highlights del Toro's unique perspective on life and his desire to live in the present.
Del Toro's lifelong passion for "Frankenstein" has been a driving force behind his creative endeavors. Growing up, he was captivated by Boris Karloff's iconic performance as Frankenstein's monster, which left an indelible mark on him. Four years later, del Toro discovered Mary Shelley's original novel and devoured it in one sitting, cementing his determination to bring the classic tale to life.
Now that "Frankenstein" has been completed, del Toro is feeling a sense of exhaustion, akin to postpartum depression. However, this fatigue only serves as motivation for him to tackle new projects and explore fresh themes. In an effort to tap into the Romantic poets' emotional depth, del Toro aimed to infuse his latest film with an operatic quality.
In his conversation at the festival, del Toro spoke candidly about the importance of embracing failure and being willing to be ridiculous in pursuit of success. He believes that this mindset is essential for creatives, as it allows them to take risks and truly experience life.
For del Toro, death may seem like a morbid fascination, but it's also an acknowledgment of the impermanence of life. By confronting his own mortality and finding comfort in the idea of death, he's able to live more fully in the present moment. As he so eloquently put it, "If you say, 'I believe in love,' you're a fool. If you say, 'I don't believe in love,' you're a wise man."
For the acclaimed director, who has just wrapped up his latest masterpiece, "Frankenstein," taking on a new project can feel like giving birth - and in a way, it is. Del Toro's latest opus may be about life and rebirth, but when asked about his own mortality during a recent talk at the Marrakech Film Festival, he couldn't help but express his fascination with death.
"Why should you want to live longer?" del Toro posed to the audience, which included journalists, film students, and even his wife, screenwriter Kim Morgan. "I'm a big fan of death... I think death is really good. I'm certainly looking forward to it, because it's the day you go, 'Well, tomorrow I won't have any problems.'" The statement, while seeming morbid at first glance, highlights del Toro's unique perspective on life and his desire to live in the present.
Del Toro's lifelong passion for "Frankenstein" has been a driving force behind his creative endeavors. Growing up, he was captivated by Boris Karloff's iconic performance as Frankenstein's monster, which left an indelible mark on him. Four years later, del Toro discovered Mary Shelley's original novel and devoured it in one sitting, cementing his determination to bring the classic tale to life.
Now that "Frankenstein" has been completed, del Toro is feeling a sense of exhaustion, akin to postpartum depression. However, this fatigue only serves as motivation for him to tackle new projects and explore fresh themes. In an effort to tap into the Romantic poets' emotional depth, del Toro aimed to infuse his latest film with an operatic quality.
In his conversation at the festival, del Toro spoke candidly about the importance of embracing failure and being willing to be ridiculous in pursuit of success. He believes that this mindset is essential for creatives, as it allows them to take risks and truly experience life.
For del Toro, death may seem like a morbid fascination, but it's also an acknowledgment of the impermanence of life. By confronting his own mortality and finding comfort in the idea of death, he's able to live more fully in the present moment. As he so eloquently put it, "If you say, 'I believe in love,' you're a fool. If you say, 'I don't believe in love,' you're a wise man."