direct Bird Box sequel, Bird Box Barcelona leaves behind the locations and characters of the first film to explore what was, before the arrival of the franchise’s society-destroying creatures, one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. The film stars Mario Casas, Diego Calva, Georgina Campbell, and more, and it is especially different from the first Bird Box in that its primary language is Spanish (for those looking to enjoy each actor’s original performance, be sure to switch languages on Netflix).
The compelling vision behind Bird Box Barcelona is that of Àlex and David Pastor, the sibling duo who wrote and directed the film. While the pair have worked on thrillers in the past (see: The Occupant, on which they also worked with Bird Box Barcelona star Mario Casas), the Pastors have arguably taken on their biggest work yet with this film. It’s not likely to be their highest-profile work, either; Àlex and David Pastor have managed to tell a story that blows open the world of Bird Box and brings a new depth of emotion to the franchise.
Àlex Pastor and David Pastor spoke with Screen Rant about their new take on the Bird Box universe, setting the film in their hometown, and more. Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the show covered here would not exist without the labor of the writers and actors in both unions.
Àlex Pastor & David Pastor on Bird Box Barcelona
Screen Rant: I love the idea in this film of these people that are out in the world and serving these creatures. Where did that idea come from? Is that what made you so excited to get started on the script?
Àlex Pastor: it's something that it's set up in the original, but it's not fully explored. When we were watching it, we thought, like, “I wonder, ‘Who are these people? How does that work? Why do they act that way?’” That felt like the thread to pull to create and build a new take on the Bird Box universe.
I also love that you had the opportunity to take it across the world and explore Barcelona and set everything there. How did that opportunity come together? Was that something that you pitched?
David Pastor: We knew that Netflix was looking for ideas about making Bird Box in different countries, and that Spain was one of the candidates. Being from Barcelona, we felt like, “Well, it makes sense to set it in Barcelona. We know the city.” We wanted to tell a story here and really take advantage of the geography of the city. Not [to] have a touristy view of the city, not show [the] four buildings that everybody knows from all the other movies, but to really go and explore the places that the locals know, and that the people who [have never been] here may actually discover from the movie.
So, for us, it was really a no-brainer, like, “If you're looking to make a Bird Box in Spain, let's make it in Barcelona.” It's a great city to shoot out [of], so we have great crews here. Plus, you know, I can walk from my apartment to the set, so that's super convenient.
Because you're from there, did you get to set these things in neighborhoods that you love? Was it weird to be on set and have it be of a destroyed city that you love?
Àlex Pastor: No. It's actually quite a lot of fun, to be honest, to turn the city upside down. It’s [also] a little bit of a road movie, and [we] tried to build a trip that makes sense, [where] if you're from here, you can understand the path that they're taking, and how realistic it would be to go from point A to point B. We took certain liberties, of course, and we changed some stuff, but it's pretty based on reality. I think that the people that are from here [and] know the city well will get a kick out of it.
David Pastor: And then your friends are always like, “Hey, was it you guys who were destroying that street yesterday?” and you're like, “Yes.” [They’re like], “I was late to work!” It's always us.
There are a lot of really creative scenes where people see what's happening and end their lives. There’s the scene in the trailer of the subway station; did you write anything that was too crazy to put in the movie?
David Pastor: No, I don’t think… nothing was left out.
Àlex Pastor: I don’t think so. Not a big thing. Of course, you always have to trim things here and there.
David Pastor: Yeah, the scenes were cut out because we didn't have time to shoot, we would describe to you and it would be like, “That’s not very exciting.”
Àlex Pastor: At the end of the day, what you sacrifice is in order to make room for the big things--to preserve the set pieces, preserve those things that you know [are] going to stay in people's imagination, and they're going to . You make little cuts so you don’t have to make the big cuts.
You wrote this movie and directed this movie. Which was the bigger challenge for you?
David Pastor: I think [on] a movie like this, the directing of it is very complex. I think that you have to take care of the spectacle, the big set pieces, the action, but at the same time, you have to take care of the heart of the story. I think one of the things that people loved about the original Bird Box, beyond the cool blindfolds and the concept, was that it was like a story about motherhood. People really connected with Sandra Bullock's character and her fight to save her kid.
I think like there's an emotional component to the Bird Box movies that is very important, so as a director, you have to make sure that you are keeping both those balls in the air when you're juggling them, and making sure that they're both getting enough attention. I think that was probably the biggest challenge in this movie. Even when you're editing, [it’s like], “Okay, that scene is cool, this is very spectacular, but let's [who] the characters are, and what the emotion is of this scene.”
About Bird Box Barcelona
A spin-off/sequel of the film adaptation Bird Box, Bird Box Barcelona takes place in Spain and follows a new cast of characters in the same world. In the film, a father and his daughter attempt to navigate a world post an invasion of creatures that cause anyone who sees them to take their own lives.
Check out our other Bird Box Barcelona interviews:
Bird Box Barcelona is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Screen Rant Plus
