Alfonso Cuaron Reflects on Challenges of Directing 'Disclaimer'

Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron discusses the challenges of directing his new psychological thriller miniseries 'Disclaimer' at the Toronto Film Festival. Known for films like 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', Cuaron highlights the differences between film and TV, emphasizing collaboration with notable actors and his long-time cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki.

MEXICO CITY--Five-time Oscar winner and celebrated Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron shared his daunting experience of directing the upcoming psychological thriller miniseries 'Disclaimer' at the Toronto Film Festival, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Cuaron, renowned for his diverse portfolio including 'Solo con tu pareja', 'A Little Princess', and 'Great Expectations', emphasized the unique challenges of transitioning to television. 'I realized I'd never done something overtly narrative. And maybe, okay, I don't know how to do it [TV]. That was part of the motivation,' Cuaron confessed.

Cuaron's resistance to TV was rooted deeply in his comfort with films. 'I said, guys, I don't know how to do TV. I think it's too late to learn how to do TV. I'm not interested in learning how to do TV. I do films and if [I do] this, I will approach it as a film,' he stated.

'Disclaimer', set to premiere in 2024, is based on Renee Knight's 2015 novel and stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Klein. Cuaron praised Blanchett's collaborative spirit, 'She's so involved in each one of the processes, with the screenplay triggering rewrites, and with casting, I was conversing with her all the possibilities, and if she was hesitant, I wouldn't go there.'

Cuaron also highlighted his long-term partnership with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, 'At least in his collaboration, we're always bouncing ideas. I get so involved in his lighting, and he gets involved in my directing. It's very organic.'

Reflecting on his early days, Cuaron reminisced the camaraderie with fellow Mexican filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro G. Inarritu, 'We love each other. We trust each other and we're brutally and painfully honest with each other. The conversation isn't easy when we're collaborating and showing each other films.'

'Disclaimer,' Cuaron's seven-part series, will have its Canadian premiere in Toronto. The Toronto Film Festival continues through September 15, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

(With inputs from agencies.)