Brian Yuzna
Encyclopedia
Brian Yuzna is a director
, writer
and producer
of film
s.
, Puerto Rico
and Panama
before moving to the United States
in the 1960s.
genre, though he has also ventured into science fiction
. Like his friend and fellow filmmaker Stuart Gordon
, Yuzna is a big fan of H. P. Lovecraft
and has adapted several Lovecraft stories for the screen.
With Julio Fernández, Yuzna started Fantastic Factory
, a label under Barcelona
film company Filmax
. Yuzna's goal for Fantastic Factory is produce "modestly budgeted genre (horror, science fiction, fantasy) films for the international market (shot in English language) using genre talent from all around the world and to develop local talent." He was last working as the producer of the Wehrmacht
zombie movie Worst Case Scenario
, directed by Richard Raaphorst, which takes place after a fictional World Cup 2006 Finale between Germany and Netherlands where Germany loses and seeks revenge with a zombie invasion, in May 2009 was announced the project is dead. After four years returned to the Director's chair
and filmed the movie Amphibious 3-D
who is starring Michael Paré
, Janna Fassaert and Francis Magee
. Yuzna is a special guest in Oviento, Italy of the Fantasy Horror Awards 2010.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, writer
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
of film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s.
Life
Yuzna grew up in NicaraguaNicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
before moving to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1960s.
Career
Most of Yuzna's film work is in the horrorHorror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
genre, though he has also ventured into science fiction
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
. Like his friend and fellow filmmaker Stuart Gordon
Stuart Gordon
After the University of Wisconsin demanded future theatrical productions by Screw Theater be overseen by a University Professor, Gordon cut his University ties to form Broom Street Theater. Its first production, the new translation of the risque Lysistrata, premiered in May 1969. Gordon is...
, Yuzna is a big fan of H. P. Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft
Howard Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
and has adapted several Lovecraft stories for the screen.
With Julio Fernández, Yuzna started Fantastic Factory
Fantastic Factory
- History :It was created by Julio Fernández and Brian Yuzna. Yuzna's goal for Fantastic Factory is produce "modestly budgeted genre films for the international market using genre talent from all around the world and to develop local talent." - Films produced under the Fantastic Factory label...
, a label under Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
film company Filmax
Filmax
Filmax is a 24-hour English language Hollywood movies channel based in Pakistan. It is beamed in South Asia through the Pakistani satellite network.It was launched in 2008. The station is available nationwide via cable and satellite...
. Yuzna's goal for Fantastic Factory is produce "modestly budgeted genre (horror, science fiction, fantasy) films for the international market (shot in English language) using genre talent from all around the world and to develop local talent." He was last working as the producer of the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
zombie movie Worst Case Scenario
Worst Case Scenario (film)
Worst Case Scenario was a horror film to be directed by Dutch director Richard Raaphorst.-Plot:The story tells of a fictional 2006 FIFA World Cup Finale between Germany and Netherlands. When the team from Germany loses, they send out as revenge a zombie invasion...
, directed by Richard Raaphorst, which takes place after a fictional World Cup 2006 Finale between Germany and Netherlands where Germany loses and seeks revenge with a zombie invasion, in May 2009 was announced the project is dead. After four years returned to the Director's chair
Director's chair
A director's chair is a lightweight chair that folds side-to-side with a scissors action. The seat and back are made of canvas or a similar strong fabric which bears the user's full weight and can be folded; the frame is made of wood, or sometimes metal or plastic...
and filmed the movie Amphibious 3-D
Amphibious (film)
Amphibious is a 2010 creature thriller film which is directed by Brian Yuzna and written by Yuzna, John Penney, Somtow Sucharitkul and San Fu Maltha. It stars Francis Magee, Janna Fassaert and Michael Paré .-Plot:...
who is starring Michael Paré
Michael Paré
- Early life :Paré was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joan, a homemaker, and Francis Paré, who owned print shops. He had six sisters and three brothers. Paré's father was of French-Canadian ancestry and his mother of Irish ancestry....
, Janna Fassaert and Francis Magee
Francis Magee
Francis Magee is an Irish actor best known for his portrayal of Liam Tyler in the long-running British soap opera EastEnders from 1993 to 1995. He has also appeared in numerous television shows and feature films, including Sahara , Layer Cake and The Calling...
. Yuzna is a special guest in Oviento, Italy of the Fantasy Horror Awards 2010.
As director
- SocietySociety (film)Society is an American horror film. It was finished in 1989, but not released in the US until 1992. It was Brian Yuzna's directorial debut and was written by Rick Fry and Woody Keith. The film stars Billy Warlock as Bill Whitney, Devin DeVasquez as Clarissa Carlyn, Evan Richards as Milo and Ben...
(1989) - Bride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-Animator is an American horror film released in 1990. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and was written by Yuzna, Rick Fry and Woody Keith. H. P. Lovecraft wrote the original series of stories, titled Herbert West–Reanimator, from which the characters were derived. The plot roughly...
(1989) - Initiation: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4Initiation: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation is an American horror film released in 1990. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and was written by Brian Yuzna, Woody Keith, and Arthur Gorson. The film stars Clint Howard, Neith Hunter, Tommy Hinkley, Reggie Banister, Allyce Beasley, and Maud Adams...
(1990) - Return of the Living Dead III (1993)
- NecronomiconNecronomicon (film)H.P. Lovecraft's: Necronomicon, original title Necronomicon, also called Necronomicon: Book of the Dead or Necronomicon: To Hell and Back is an American anthology horror film released in 1993. It was directed by Brian Yuzna, Christophe Gans and Shusuke Kaneko and was written by Brent V...
(segments "The Library" & "Whispers") (1993) - Tarzan: The Epic AdventuresTarzan: The Epic AdventuresTarzan: The Epic Adventures is a syndicated series that aired for one season . It focuses on the character of Tarzan in his early years, after his first exposure to civilization, but before his marriage to Jane Porter...
(episode "Tarzan's Return") (1996) - The DentistThe DentistThe Dentist is an American horror film released in 1996. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and written by Dennis Paoli. Corbin Bernsen stars as Dr. Alan Feinstone, Linda Hoffman as Brooke Feinstone and Ken Foree as Detective Gibbs...
(1996) - ProgenyProgeny (film)Progeny is an American science fiction film released in 1999. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and written by Aubrey Solomon and Stuart Gordon. The film stars Arnold Vosloo as Dr. Craig Burton, Jillian McWhirter as Sherry Burton, Brad Dourif as Dr. Bert Clavell and Lindsay Crouse as Dr...
(1998) - The Dentist 2The Dentist 2The Dentist 2 is a 1998 American horror film, and sequel to the 1996 film The Dentist. It was directed by Brian Yuzna, with Corbin Bernsen reprising his role as Dr. Alan Feinstone, Jillian McWhirter as Jamie Devers, Jeff Doucette as Jeremy Wilkes and Susanne Wright as Bev Trotter.-Plot:The...
(1998) - Faust: Love of the DamnedFaust: Love of the DamnedFaust: Love of the Damned is an American-Spanish R-rated 2001 horror/gore film directed by Brian Yuzna. It is based on the comic book of the same name by Tim Vigil and David Quinn...
(2000) - Beyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-Animator is a horror film, directed by Brian Yuzna. It is the second sequel to Re-Animator. The film premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel . This showing was cut to a TV-PG rating...
(2003) - RottweilerRottweiler (film)Rottweiler is a science fiction horror film directed by Brian Yuzna and starring from Paulina Gálvez, Paul Naschy and Ivana Baquero.- Plot :In 2018 a prisoner named Dante and his inmate escape from a punishment camp in southern Spain...
(2004) - Beneath Still WatersBeneath Still WatersBeneath Still Waters is a 2005 horror film, it was directed by Brian Yuzna and stars Michael McKell, Raquel Meroño and Charlotte Salt.-Plot:...
(2005) - AmphibiousAmphibious (film)Amphibious is a 2010 creature thriller film which is directed by Brian Yuzna and written by Yuzna, John Penney, Somtow Sucharitkul and San Fu Maltha. It stars Francis Magee, Janna Fassaert and Michael Paré .-Plot:...
(2010)
As writer
- From BeyondFrom Beyond (film)From Beyond is a 1986 American science fiction/ body horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, loosely based on the short story of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft, and was written by Dennis Paoli, Gordon and Brian Yuzna...
(1986) - Honey, I Shrunk the KidsHoney, I Shrunk the KidsHoney, I Shrunk the Kids is a 1989 comedy film. The directorial debut of Joe Johnston and released through Walt Disney Pictures and Silver Screen Partners III, the film tells the story of an inventor who accidentally shrinks his and his neighbor's kids to 1/4 of an inch with his electromagnetic...
(1989) - Bride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-Animator is an American horror film released in 1990. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and was written by Yuzna, Rick Fry and Woody Keith. H. P. Lovecraft wrote the original series of stories, titled Herbert West–Reanimator, from which the characters were derived. The plot roughly...
(1990) - Initiation: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4Initiation: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation is an American horror film released in 1990. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and was written by Brian Yuzna, Woody Keith, and Arthur Gorson. The film stars Clint Howard, Neith Hunter, Tommy Hinkley, Reggie Banister, Allyce Beasley, and Maud Adams...
(1990) - Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy MakerSilent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy MakerSilent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker is the fifth movie in the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise. The film was also featured in an episode of Svengoolie. It stars William Thorne, Jane Higginson, Van Quattro, Tracy Fraim, Conan Yuzna, and veteran screen legend Mickey Rooney as The Toy Maker...
(1992) - NecronomiconNecronomicon (film)H.P. Lovecraft's: Necronomicon, original title Necronomicon, also called Necronomicon: Book of the Dead or Necronomicon: To Hell and Back is an American anthology horror film released in 1993. It was directed by Brian Yuzna, Christophe Gans and Shusuke Kaneko and was written by Brent V...
(segments "The Library" & "Whispers") (1993) - Beyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-Animator is a horror film, directed by Brian Yuzna. It is the second sequel to Re-Animator. The film premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel . This showing was cut to a TV-PG rating...
(2003)
As producer
- Re-AnimatorRe-AnimatorRe-Animator is a 1985 American science fiction horror film based on the H. P. Lovecraft story "Herbert West–Reanimator." Directed by Stuart Gordon, it was the first film in the Re-Animator series. The film has since become a cult film, driven by fans of Jeffrey Combs and H. P...
(1985) - From BeyondFrom Beyond (film)From Beyond is a 1986 American science fiction/ body horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, loosely based on the short story of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft, and was written by Dennis Paoli, Gordon and Brian Yuzna...
(1986) - DollsDolls (1987 film)Dolls is a horror film directed by Stuart Gordon, shot in Italy in 1985 and released in 1987.- Plot summary :A violent thunderstorm strands six people in the gothic English countryside: Judy, who's traveling with her thuggish father and her cold, self-centered, stepmother...
(1987) - Honey, I Shrunk the KidsHoney, I Shrunk the KidsHoney, I Shrunk the Kids is a 1989 comedy film. The directorial debut of Joe Johnston and released through Walt Disney Pictures and Silver Screen Partners III, the film tells the story of an inventor who accidentally shrinks his and his neighbor's kids to 1/4 of an inch with his electromagnetic...
(1989) - Bride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-AnimatorBride of Re-Animator is an American horror film released in 1990. It was directed by Brian Yuzna and was written by Yuzna, Rick Fry and Woody Keith. H. P. Lovecraft wrote the original series of stories, titled Herbert West–Reanimator, from which the characters were derived. The plot roughly...
(1990) - The GuyverThe GuyverThe Guyver is a 1991 American Tokusatsu film loosely based on the Manga series of the same name. The film was met with a mixed to negative reaction from critics and fans. A sequel was followed in 1994 called Guyver: Dark Hero, which was received more favorably than it's predecessor.-Plot:CIA agent...
(1991) - Warlock (1989)
- Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy MakerSilent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy MakerSilent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker is the fifth movie in the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise. The film was also featured in an episode of Svengoolie. It stars William Thorne, Jane Higginson, Van Quattro, Tracy Fraim, Conan Yuzna, and veteran screen legend Mickey Rooney as The Toy Maker...
(1992) - InfestedInfestedInfested is 1993 direct-to-video horror film starring Peter Scolari, Seth Green, Rosalind Allen and Ami Dolenz.-Plot:...
(1993) - Return of the Living Dead III (1993)
- NecronomiconNecronomicon (film)H.P. Lovecraft's: Necronomicon, original title Necronomicon, also called Necronomicon: Book of the Dead or Necronomicon: To Hell and Back is an American anthology horror film released in 1993. It was directed by Brian Yuzna, Christophe Gans and Shusuke Kaneko and was written by Brent V...
(1993) - Crying FreemanCrying Freeman (film)Crying Freeman is a 1995 French and Canadian produced action film, directed by Christophe Gans, based on the "Portrait of a Killer" arc of the best-selling manga of the same name by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami....
(1995) - Faust: Love of the DamnedFaust: Love of the DamnedFaust: Love of the Damned is an American-Spanish R-rated 2001 horror/gore film directed by Brian Yuzna. It is based on the comic book of the same name by Tim Vigil and David Quinn...
(2000) - ArachnidArachnid (film)Arachnid is a 2001 film directed by Jack Sholder. In this movie, giant killer spiders menace survivors of a plane crash.-Release:This film had a limited release. For its low budget, it did well at the box office, scoring 1.1 million dollars. It opened #9 opening weekend. On its second weekend, it...
(2001) - DagonDagonDagon was originally an Assyro-Babylonian fertility god who evolved into a major northwest Semitic god, reportedly of grain and fish and/or fishing...
(2001) - Darkness (2002)
- Beyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-AnimatorBeyond Re-Animator is a horror film, directed by Brian Yuzna. It is the second sequel to Re-Animator. The film premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel . This showing was cut to a TV-PG rating...
(2003) - RomasantaRomasantaRomasanta is a Spanish-English horror-movie produced by Fantastic Factory, directed by Paco Plaza and starring Julian Sands, Elsa Pataky and John Sharian...
(2004) - RottweilerRottweiler (film)Rottweiler is a science fiction horror film directed by Brian Yuzna and starring from Paulina Gálvez, Paul Naschy and Ivana Baquero.- Plot :In 2018 a prisoner named Dante and his inmate escape from a punishment camp in southern Spain...
(2004) - The NunThe Nun (2005 film)La Monja , is a 2005 Spanish horror film directed by Luis De La Madrid.-Plot:An insane nun terrorizes her students. One of the girls named Mary is discovered to have been impregnated by an important official at the school after having had an affair with him in her young teenage years. The girl had...
(2005) - Takut: Faces of Fear (2008)
- Worst Case ScenarioWorst Case Scenario (film)Worst Case Scenario was a horror film to be directed by Dutch director Richard Raaphorst.-Plot:The story tells of a fictional 2006 FIFA World Cup Finale between Germany and Netherlands. When the team from Germany loses, they send out as revenge a zombie invasion...
(2009) - House of Re-Animator (2010)
- Everdark (2010)
Guest appearances
- Nightmares in Red, White and Blue (2009)
- Science of Horror (2008)
- Durch die Nacht mit... (2007)
- Re-Animator Resurrectus (2007)
- Working with a Master: Stuart Gordon (2006)
- MetrópolisMetropolisA metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
(2001) - Clive Barker's A-Z of HorrorClive Barker's A-Z of HorrorClive Barker's A-Z of Horror was a documentary series first broadcast on BBC2 in 1997. It was written and hosted by Clive Barker and explored the history of horror, from the cinema to art. A tie-in book was released featuring art work by Barker and film reviews by Stephen Jones.Subjects...
(1997) - Fear in the Dark (1991)
- The Incredibly Strange Film Show (1989)
- Stephen King's World of Horror (1986)