Five FrightFest Facts with Cristian Ponce of ‘A Mother’s Embrace’

Today, Brazilian horror took centre stage at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Glasgow, as director Cristian Ponce (History of the Occult) brought his latest terrifying vision, A Mother’s Embrace (Abraço de Mãe), to the UK. Known as a leading force in Latin American horror, Ponce has built a reputation for blending supernatural chills with social commentary, and his latest feature is no exception.

Set against the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro’s devastating 1996 floods, A Mother’s Embrace follows a firefighter squad called to evacuate a nursing home on the brink of collapse. But the elderly residents refuse to leave, and as the waters rise, something ancient and sinister begins to stir beneath the surface. Combining underwater horror, cult horror, and psychological trauma, the film promises a tense, atmospheric nightmare unlike anything else at this year’s festival.

Ahead of the film’s UK premiere, we sat down with Cristian Ponce to talk about his horror roots, his dream FrightFest screening, and why his life story should be told by a paranoid chimpanzee…

Cristian Ponce, writer-director

1. Tell us about your film

Abraço de Mãe is my second feature film as a director, on a script that that was written
with its producer André Pereira and the great Brazilian screenwriter Gabi Capello. It’s a survival horror film that revolves around a real event in Rio de Janeiro, one of the many floods that the city has suffered. In this case it is 1996 and a group of firefighters attend a nursing home in danger of collapsing where, mysteriously, its inhabitants refuse any type of help. There are underwater creatures, sects, childhood traumas, and a lot of Latin rhythm.

2. How did you get into making movies?

Cinema was always present in my life. I spent many hours in front of the television at home watching a lot of horror and science fiction. Then I studied filmmaking at the National University of La Plata, and since graduating I formed a production company with my friends. The transition from classrooms to production was gradual, we made a lot of content for the web, and in 2019 I directed my first feature film: Historia de lo Oculto.

3. What films would you love to see screened at FrightFest and why?

Since its director Pete Hewitt is British, I would love to watch the great Bill and Ted Bogus Journey on the big screen, which is one of my favorite films. I would love to be able to attend the festival and see movies with witchcraft, sects, and curses.

4. If you could create your own award to give at FrightFest, what would it be and why?

We live in the age of pastiche (in the best sense), so I think it is time to reward it. An award for “Best combination of previously existing elements” would be great!

5. If your life was made into a horror film, what would it be called and who would play the starring role?

I think it would be a film with a lot of paranoia, strange and annoying neighbors, and I would definitely love the protagonist to be the chimpanzee from Better Man.

A Mother’s Embrace trailer