1. REC VS QUARANTINE
REC; produced in 2007 is a Spanish horror movie filmed using only a handheld camera in the style of
a news show meaning it includes only dialogue and diegetic sounds. The use of this style of filming is
effective by involving the audience through the news reporter whereas other filming techniques
used in horror films where the audience are just spectators. This style makes the film more realistic
which adds fear into the viewers.
The main factor as to why there was a remake of ‘Rec’ was the language barrier as the speaking is in
Spanish and many viewers would not like the idea of reading subtitles through a whole movie.
Another reason as to the why there is a remake is that the film is shot in a first person mode because
of the popularityin video games in this generation especially in first person shooters like Call of duty
use this style and are extremely popular. With ever improving technology it isn’t good enough just to
view anymore, the audience want a realistic experience when watching movies or playing games.
JaumeBalaguero isn’t the only auteur who has used this recording style, films such as ‘Cloverfield’
and ‘Diary of the dead’ both used the same style of filming.
By remaking the film in English it appeals to the English speaking which is an estimated 1300 million
more than that speaking fluent Spanish. Rec had a much smaller budget compared to quarantine
however with the overall box office income there was only £8,000,000 difference between REC and
Quarantine .The film Quarantine was directed by John Eric Dowdle in 2008 and is virtually a shot for
shot remake of Rec. The production company; Screen Gems which actually distributed Quarantine
wanted to get the filmreleased so quickly because it is a vertically integrated company. By being a
part of the Sony Groupthere was synergy between the two production companies which meant that
partnership cameeasily.
There are some differences however; the actors for example, in Quarantine they are much more
well-known stars than those in REC due to the budget difference. Personally I believe that the use of
unknown actors makes the original more realistic as you do not see the famous faces you see on TV
every day. The locations are different as not to make the films too similar and another difference is
that the ending to the film changes and thevirus itself is different. For Rec it is a religious demon
possessing people and controlling themwhereas in Quarantine it is a virus which has got out of
military testing and has turned people intoflesh eating zombies. This is expected as the Spanish
community is more religious and American movies are known for being over the top.