Guillermo del Toro compares the Weinstein brothers to the kidnapping of their father

Guillermo del Toro has had an exciting journey throughout his career, and the ’90s were no different. Not only did he have a difficult professional experience working with Harvey and Bob Weinstein on Imitatebut it was also when his father was kidnapped in Mexico.

In an exclusive interview with Deadline At Contenders Film: Los Angeles, del Toro shared his less than pleasant experience on the set of Imitate with the famous Weinstein brothers. In fact, he said it was so horrible that his father’s kidnapping in Guadalajara was easier to handle. When asked which was the worst, the director replied: “The Weinsteins, hands down.»

He elaborated and said that, at least with the kidnappers, he knew what they were looking for. However, when it came to the two filmmakers, he had no idea what they were trying to do. “Because, on the other hand, you knew what they wanted. The Weinsteins, who knew what they wanted,» he explained.

This wasn’t the first time del Toro gave his opinion on the Weinstein brothers and Imitate known. During the BFI London Film Festival, where the director screened The shape of waterhe recalled his collaboration with the duo. He added that Miramax (the distributor of Imitate) wasn’t great to work with either. According to him, the entire production was so horrible that it led him to consider no longer working with American filmmakers.

I really hated the experience. My first American experience was almost my last because it was with the Weinsteins and Miramax. I have to tell you that two horrible things happened in the late 90s. My father was kidnapped and I worked with the Weinsteins. I know which one was worse…kidnapping made the most sense.

Del Toro’s father, Federico, was kidnapped by criminals in Guadalajara. He was held captive for ransom for 72 days. After being rescued, the director and his family chose to leave Mexico. He explained that the traumatic event changed his relationship with the country, saying he felt he could not return.

Del Toro Frankenstein can now be streamed on Netflix.