Trailer for EMPUSA!

This is a Spanish interview show with Naschy talking about vampires. Soon the talk turns briefly to Naschy's newest film, EMPUSA, which is still being edited. At around the 14 minute mark, a working trailer (?) for EMPUSA is seen--I believe the first look at scenes from this film. Looks impressive!

November Update

Nothing much to report on EMPUSA, except that Paul Naschy is working on the 40 or so hours of footage that was shot for the film. Stay tuned!

Naschy Celebrates 73

Paul Naschy was born this day in 1934. Amazing to think that his dedication, will and strength continue on with screenwriting, acting and directing, and his latest project, EMPUSA. Surely the hardest working man in fantastique.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Paul Naschy! And the greatest success in all your future endeavors.

Fangoria on EMPUSA

Mike Hodges reports about EMPUSA for Fangoria online:

http://fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=4883

Hodges' article covers the dismissal of original director, Carlos Aured, Naschy's disappointment over this and his stepping in to finish the project. (Apparently, Aured's contributions have been jettisoned in large part, if not totally, so the film is Naschy's own.) Though Naschy admits that the project was "one of the hardest and most unpleasant shoots I’ve ever experienced,” he is "very grateful to everybody for the way they all knuckled down and for their wholehearted commitment once the initial problems were sorted out, and I’m pleased with the final result.”

Much more at the above link.

Photos from the Film - #2

This surely must be an empusa:



I'll try to find out the names of the actresses who play the empusas in the new Naschy film, but meanwhile I'll post whatever photos I receive from the production.

Photos from the Film - #1

Here's a nice shot of Antonio Mayans and Paul Naschy, stars of EMPUSA. The two first worked in the same film over 45 years ago! The film was the 1961 religious epic KING OF KINGS. Mayans had a small role in the Samuel Bronston production, while Naschy was an extra. It is doubtful that they would have met at the time or remembered meeting each other, however.

EMPUSA in Post-Production

Paul Naschy is now working on the post-production of his newest film, EMPUSA. Filming began in Alicante on April 16 and concluded August 1. The film has had a couple of working titles: LA GAVIOTA (THE SEAGULL) and DEADLY SEAGULLS. For Naschy, EMPUSA marks the first time he has taken over directing duties since LA NOCHE DE EJECUTOR in 1993. The film promises to be a return to the type of fantastique Naschy is most known for--rich in supernatural occurrences and mystery, with healthy doses of female beauty and male heroics, and many visual delights and enticing frissons.

The cast includes:

Paul Naschy (Abel), Antonio Mayans (Victor), Saturnino Garcia (Sacaluga), Laura de Pedro (Lilith), Paco Racionero (Ulrich), Cristina Carrión (Cristabel), Maria Jesús Solina (Natalia), Marco Sanz (Murillo).

And here's the official synopsis: Abel, an ex-actor who has become an occultism enthusiast, and Victor, an old sea captain, take long walks on the beach talking about the good old times. During one of those strolls they find the arm of a woman slashed below the elbow, with a rare symbol drawn or tattooed on the wrist. Obsessed by the awesome discovery, Abel decides to take home the maimed arm and investigate the symbol. In an old book of Greek mythology he finds out that it´s the ancient seal of the Empusa, a hybrid being that's a cross between a vampire, a snake and a seagull. Simultaneously, there are several murders in the city. They all have something in common: all the victims appear with their right arm missing. Abel´s obsession and curiosity will lead him into a nightmarish spiral of death.