Writer-director Diego Olivares was born on October 17, 1990. He has been very passionate about movies since a young age and loves all things scary, haunting, and mysterious.
Diego, the story looks so interesting. It’s short but leaves an impact. I’d love to know why you kept it so short?
- Honestly, it just started off as a concept for a short film. I first came up with the idea back in 2017 for a possible short film to direct, and it just went from there.
Which nature of the horror, thriller genres attract you the most?
- I’ve always loved horror films since I was a kid, and there are so many reasons why I love them. One reason is how renegade the genre is and that you don’t have to play by the rules. It allows you to deal with dark subject matter while still being entertaining. In addition, I also love that the horror genre allows you to try out different styles, going from atmospheric and mood-driven to transgressive and visceral.
Nightmares keep us awake for days. The fear is unimaginable sometimes. What is your worst nightmare? Why did Nathan see a nightmare of growing old?
- Nathan’s nightmare is visualizing his anxiety and fear of getting old. I felt that the audience had to feel his experience to set the stage for his character’s dilemma…and trust me, you don’t want to know what nightmares I have. (laughs)
Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde seems to be a favorite of yours. Would you like to share what attracts you towards this classic?
- It’s actually not. (laughs) I just used it as a visual foreshadow of Nathan’s transformation into a darker version of himself once he’s turned. Also it works as a metaphor for the script’s theme of good vs evil from within the human soul.
Nathan is also a writer, just like you! Did you use any personal touch while crafting him? How different are you two from each other?
- Much of Nathan was inspired by me at age 27, which is when I wrote the script. I was feeling some serious anxiety he was around that time. The feeling of wanting to stay young as time increases. I’m 31 right now and I don’t feel as anxious about it now, so the script represents a snapshot of my internal anxiety in my late 20s.
Nathan is clearly going through a tensed transition in his life. How excruciating was it to write a character like him?
- It really wasn’t that hard. It served as a way to get some of that stuff out actually.
What inspires you to keep writing? Whose writings are you going to read?
- I honestly write to have material to direct. I’m a director first and foremost. And I learned early on that nobody is gonna hand you a script to direct, so you have to generate your own stories. And I’m currently listening to audiobooks of James Ellroy’s LA Quartet series. I really love noir fiction and would kill to make a film noir one day.
Lauren utters “I Love you” at the end. How would you like to present it? As a call for life or her honest emotions for Nathan?
- Don’t mean to sound vague about it, but I leave that to the reader’s interpretation.
Do you have a plan to write a follow-up to this story? I’d love to see a different side of Lauren.
- Unfortunately, I don’t have any plans for a follow-up at the moment.
How would you interpret Nathan’s transformation?
- It’s a supernatural evil that overcomes human frailty. The strange and inhuman darkness that eats us up during our times of internal vulnerability. Nathan gives into that darkness in order to stay “young.” To me, I saw it was a vampiric retelling of the Faustian tale.
Lastly, Diego, have you planned out the filming? When are we going to see this marvelous story on screen?
- Sadly, the chances of making the film have long passed. Half of it was due to lack of funds, as it was a costly short film. Also I ended up moving on both artistically and personally. As I mentioned before, the script was a snapshot of my late-20s and fears of getting older. I’ve moved past those feelings already.
I’ve ended up making other short horror films that’ve gone on to the festival circuit. But at the time, A Walk Down The Nocturnal Road was the most personal script I’ve written.
Though funny enough, I’m currently in pre-production on another short horror film that’s called The Deathly Sleep, and the script for that is reflective of my current anxieties. (Laughs) It’s the most personal script I’ve written since A Walk Down The Nocturnal Road.
