Directed by Guillermo del Toro • 1993 • Mexico
Guillermo del Toro made an auspicious and audacious feature debut with Cronos, a highly unorthodox tale about the seductiveness of the idea of immortality. Kindly antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) happens upon an ancient golden device in the shape of a scarab, and soon finds himself the possessor and victim of its sinister, addictive powers, as well as the target of a mysterious American named Angel (a delightfully crude and deranged Ron Perlman). Featuring marvelous special makeup effects and the haunting imagery for which del Toro has become world-renowned, Cronos is a dark, visually rich, and emotionally captivating fantasy.
This tour of Guillermo del Toro’s office (dubbed Bleak House by the director), shot in 2010, offers a unique perspective on the mind of the highly imaginative filmmaker.
In this 2010 interview, director Guillermo del Toro offers his thoughts on CRONOS, including what the film means to him and its place in his diverse career.
In this interview from 2009, Guillermo Navarro, an Oscar-winning cinematographer (PAN’S LABYRINTH) and longtime collaborator of Guillermo del Toro’s, talks about his work on CRONOS and his relationship with the director.
