Alex Kahuam, director of the one-take thriller “Failure!,” starring Ted Raimi, has officially launched a new Los Angeles-based shingle, Kahuam Films.
Kahuam, who premiered “Failure!” at the Cannes Film Market’s Fantastic Pavilion Gala Screenings in 2023, is currently finishing up work on his fifth feature film, the psychological horror pic “The Remedy,” starring Timothy Granaderos (“13 Reasons Why”), which will be Kahuam Films’ first title.
Alex Kahuam
Kahuam Films
Kahuam Films will continue the Mexican filmmaker’s focus on genre films. Kahuam says his work combines elements from European cinema, the magical realism of Mexico and the commercial approach of U.S. movies.
Described as a psychological supernatural horror film, “The Remedy” also stars London Thor (“Gen V”), Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water”), Chris Mulkey (“Whiplash”) and Jenny O’Hara (“Devil”). It centers on a troubled young man who makes a desperate attempt to save his terminally ill mother and unleashes a supernatural entity in the process.
Until now, Kahuam produced his films via his Mexico City company Promotora NAE (NAE films), which he established in 2017, usually as U.S.-Mexican co-productions, such as “Failure!” and his 2021 horror film “Forgiveness.”
With a growing number of partners in the U.S., however, it was an ideal move that will allow the company to expand, he adds.
“Now that we know the U.S. market and we have partners here in the U.S. and in Europe and in Asia, we thought it was the right time.”
Kahuam also expects the new California base to facilitate his access to talent and make it easier to deal with Hollywood industry regulations that can sometimes be complicated for foreign companies.
“It makes it easier to have a company here in terms of the rules and also in terms of the tax incentives.”
Kahuam is looking at New Mexico and a number of other states as possible location sites for future projects. He shot “Failure!” in the Los Angeles suburb of Simi Valley using private equity from Mexico and the U.S., and “Forgiveness” entirely in Mexico City.
Both films were risky endeavors, with “Failure!” shot in one continues take and “Forgiveness” in nine takes with next to no dialogue. While he may love long takes creatively, Kahuam says he realizes one-take films can be difficult for buyers. “Failure!” nevertheless provided great momentum and opened many doors, he adds. The film went on to screen at Mexico’s Morbido Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights, FrightFest London and Fantaspoa in Brazil.
Alex Kahuam directs his crew during production of “The Remedy”
Kahuam Films
Kahuam is now looking to make more accessible films. “The Remedy,” for example, has 218 scenes. “I have so much editing in the film. … It’s a very stylized film.”
Kahuam has five projects currently in development.
While he remains tight-lipped about the story for his next feature, he notes that it will be in line with his focus on high-concept horror. “I’m thinking outside the independent, one-location world. It’s a bigger film — the biggest film yet.”
Kahuam is looking at the possibility of shooting the film, a large-scale supernatural horror pic set in different locations, in Europe, specifically Hungary due to that country’s favorable incentives.
“I would love to shoot in Europe. You have beautiful locations there.”
