Mexican Murders Are Inspiration for Horror Movies

By Wes Laurie, published Sep 04, 2007
Published Content: 464  Total Views: 477,472  Favorited By: 64 CPs
Rating: 4.7 of 5
In 2005 the book "The Killing Fields: Harvest of Women was published based off of the investigative results of author Diana Washington Valdez. The book tells the story of how a number of female corpses have been surfacing for years in the Mexican border region of Ciudad Juarez. The estimated body count is around 470 women, though the Mexican government calls these public reporting an exaggeration.

The killings still continue despite efforts and arrests that Mexican officials have claimed to have made. In an attempt to get the story out and stay true to her passion for the material Valdez optioned the rights to her book to filmmaker Gregory Nava for free. The film made is entitled "Bordertown", starring Jennifer Lopez, it was released in a limited span on August 31 2007. Another film starring Minnie Driver involving the murders was: 'The Virgin Juarez." A documentary about the incidents was made last year entitled "On the Edge."

Aside from more factual and dramatic film adaptations of the events, these murders have already inspired horror filmmakers. Released in August 2007 was the movie Borderline Cult, which has meet with harsh critical opinions. Considering the promotional value of being able to say one's horror film is based on actual events, these killings in Mexico will most likely be the basis for fictional horror for years and years to come.

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
 
 
MS. Diana Washington Valdez did not assign the film rights to Mr. Nava or anyone else. She allowed him to see her manuscript before the book was published, and did not charge the production staff anything for this. The FBI also requested and read the manuscript. It was left up to their ethics to handle the matter appropriately. The author, who is featured in the "Border Echoes" documentary, maintains the film rights. -- Mari Ortega, MZM Marketing & Public Relations, a publicist for the author.

Posted on 10/05/2007 at 2:10:00 PM

 
great review

Posted on 09/13/2007 at 5:09:00 PM

 
Very interesting, for sure.

Posted on 09/11/2007 at 3:09:00 PM

 
Great work here - reminds me of how film makers milked the murders of Ed Gein for years too. When I finally read the real story of him - most fictional films paled in comparison.

Posted on 09/08/2007 at 9:09:00 PM

 
Interesting article. That is all to say about something of thsinature. Good points about how they can eb great material for horror films, but the rights to the story may be expensive.

Posted on 09/08/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Interesting read!

Posted on 09/06/2007 at 8:09:00 PM

 
I agree with you. Interesting.

Posted on 09/04/2007 at 6:09:00 PM

 
you are so right. So many of the horror and thriller movies and even novels have the same basic blueprint. And if you dig far enough the blueprint usually leads back to a true to life event. I wonder how many movies in the next 50 years will be loosely based on events happening today? scary thought isn't it?!?

Posted on 09/04/2007 at 4:09:00 PM

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