The suspense genre usually devides people. On one hand there are people who are focusing on suspense as something negative, violent and tacky. On the other hand there are the enthusiasts who are focusing on the set up - the sophisticated way the suspense is delivered. I am part of the latter catagory.
Suspense films are focusing on repressing the emotions like lust and fear. And that is exactly why this genre is so close to my heart. The challenge is to use the suspense to compose actions which leads to the anticipation of the worst possible outcome.
Suspense films are one of the genres where you can get a physical reaction from the audience equivalent to a thrilling ride in a roller coaster. I don't suggest that films with monsters with sable teeths and shining yellow eys alone makes a film scary. It can in fact have the opposite effect, where the audience can distance themselves quite easily. In order to let the darkness sneak up and under your skin, I am using sourrendings settings and characters which will build towards the suspense. It is in this "foreplay" where the real human drama lies which leads to the resolution. In other words, my concept of suspense is not about monsters but about human beings. The film's visual style is paramount to the atmosphere in the film. Thus, it is very important that the film slowly changes the look as the story goes along and Emilie becomes increasingly nervous. The film begins with a more realistic look but slowly changes into a high contrast between shadows and light and to a more dark visual style. This underscores the fight between good vs. evil.
The lead Emilie is due to her sexuality and insecurity in a way selfprovocing the "monster" in a shape of her counterparts. In this way she develops herself from being passiv and subvienient to react and to stand up for herself.
The film is foremost a suspense film for me as a director because due to my work with the actors needs to find their inner and human side of the characters so they don't appear one-dimentionals.