La Presse at the 81st Venice Film Festival | The bride wore a black dress

Thirty-six years after its release Beetle juiceTim Burton did not understand why the film was so successful and still is. Although fans of the film asked for it, and he often talked about it with Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, the American filmmaker did not dream of shooting a sequel.

“It has to become an individual project,” he told a press conference following the briefing Beetlejuice, beetlejuice. I was a little disillusioned with cinema and felt like I had lost myself along the way, but, like the character Catherine plays, I wanted to continue doing my art. This movie brought me back to my roots and it allowed me to get excited again and do what I love. »

For Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, who played Beetlejuice, Delia, and Lydia, respectively, it was a joy to plunge back into the world. Beetle juice : “There are very few opportunities to do something so unique and original,” confirmed the actor. With Tim, we have so much fun working and laughing together. »

Tim Burton says he hasn’t rewatched the 1988 movie, but is ready for a sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice The same gothic charm, wild imagination and irreverent humor, as well as unique stop-motion special effects (Stop-motion) “I won’t win an Oscar for this, that’s for sure,” said the director. These special effects allowed him to reappear, for the duration of a delightfully bloody animated sequence, as Charles, a character played by Jeffrey Jones, who pleaded guilty to pedophilia charges.

Of course, part of the film relies on Danny Elfman’s sly and doom-laden soundtrack and the use of popular songs in hilarious visuals. Lip sync – You’ll never listen the same way again MacArthur ParkBy Donna Summer, We Promise!

Obviously, we’re excited to see the same deliciously offbeat cast of characters added, including Burton’s friend in town, Delores, played by Monica Bellucci. to the rhythm of sadnessFrom the Bee Keys, facing a funny Danny DeVito as a vigilante from the world of the dead, Delores, Beetlejuice’s wife, puts all his pieces together and literally brings all his pieces back to life.

“I really enjoyed shooting this scene because I had to follow a choreography,” said the Italian actress. To me, Delores is more than a monster, she’s a creature. I like the duality of it; She is beautiful and dangerous. With her scars, I see her as a broken doll and she is a metaphor for life. In fact, it’s the best film for women, featuring three generations of strong women. »

Bloody nose

As Delores, dressed in a black wedding dress and whose specialty is soul-sucking, has been desperately searching for Beetlejuice since their fatal wedding night, Tim Burton narrates the most beautifully gruesome scene, filmed in black and white and narrated in Italian.

“I’ve always wanted to do an Italian horror film. I admire Mario Bava and Dario Argento. I also like dubbing films,” admitted the filmmaker.

“Thanks to Tim, I saw pictures of Bava and Argento. It really inspires everyone’s creativity,” said Monica Bellucci.

Wolf Jackson (Willum Dafoe), an ordinary actor recycled as a detective, follows the dark Delores as she tries to catch Beetlejuice, the mischievous monster, not forgetting that Lydia, for her part, is now a famous host of a show. Haunted houses created by her boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux) who must marry her in order to come back from her death.

“We’ve aged since the first film, but we’re all happy to be alive,” continued Catherine O’Hara, a celebrity-turned-artist looking more eccentric and narcissistic than ever. Delia and Lydia are no longer at the same place in their lives, they have matured together, but Beetlejuice has never aged because he has always died. »

“I feel spoiled,” Winona Ryder exclaimed. I was excited to see them all again and see Michael’s eyes again. There’s a playful aspect to the way Tim works, you try and if it’s not good, you let it go. The cinematography was similar to the first film; We were in a creative space where we felt completely free and safe. There is a lot of love in this movie! »

While Delia and Lydia have fewer fights than before, Lydia is experiencing tension with her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega).

“I was excited to work with these actors that I admire and to work again with Tim, who I built so trusting with on set. WednesdayThe young actress expressed her hope. I don’t want to copy what the wonderful Winona did, but our characters need to be similar even though the anger doesn’t come from the same place. »

That too during the shooting of the serial Wednesday Tim Burton once again rediscovered the desire to enter the world of Beetlejuice: “Everything was done quickly, even the toys, everyone put their own effort, their energy. »

As for whether there will be a second sequel, nothing is certain. “If you do the math, that’s 36 more years, so I won’t be 100!” », the filmmaker jokingly concluded.