Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy, who directed the Adam Scott-led horror film Hokum, has admitted that he has not explored Indian cinema enough. Speaking about Indian content and cinema, McCarthy confessed, "It's a blind spot in my film-watching. I've been watching a lot of video essays where people talk about, if you consider yourself a cinephile, what your blind spot in movies is, or which genre or part of the world you haven't explored yet. I've come across some great recommendations, so it's something I need to fix."
What Draws McCarthy to Horror Storytelling
Talking about what draws him towards horror storytelling, McCarthy shared, "I guess, for me, they are a lot of fun to make. Every film is challenging. There's always a clock you're up against. It is hard work. But there is still something fun about making a horror movie." He further added, "For me, what makes them work is trying to build suspense and tension, and letting the audience know that something is going to happen, but we just don't know when."
Adam Scott's Role in Enhancing the Fear Factor
Crediting Adam Scott for elevating the fear factor in the film, which released in India yesterday across PVR Inox, McCarthy said, "I think working with a great actor like Adam, who really sells that fear, is very important. If you're not engaged with the character, and if they don't seem genuinely frightened — because the audience experiences the film through them — then I don't think the film is going to be all that scary."
Hokum is a gothic supernatural horror film directed by Damian McCarthy, starring Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, Florence Ordesh, and David Wilmot. The film has been receiving attention for its atmospheric tension and strong performances.
