“I don’t care if you hate or love Piggy – I just want you to think about why you do”: Carlota Pereda on her debut horror feature

Piggy is the directorial debut of Carlota Pereda – and a fierce one. Featuring an electrifyingly fearless performance from new-to-screen Laura Galán, the film tackles the still-taboo topic of body shaming through a visceral and exacting horror medium, with an undercurrent of black humour. Expect revenge slasher flick tropes and a grindhouse sensibility reappropriated for the purpose of exposing society’s unforgiving prejudices against weight, particularly when it comes to women, seen through the lens of a friendless girl in a small town coming of age. To see our put-upon protagonist Sara unleashed on her teenage aggressors is to see blood-soaked female empowerment personified. 

The Upcoming had the chance to have an in-depth chat with the Spanish filmmaker ahead of Piggy‘s release in UK cinemas. She spoke about developing the feature from a previous short of the same name, using horror-in-broad-daylight to explore themes of bullying and body image, and casting and working with newcomer Galán on a bold and brave performance. We also discussed how the seemingly idyllic rural location becomes a character in itself and her hope the film will cause the audience to ask themselves questions about how they judge and empathise with others.

Sarah Bradbury

Piggy is released in select cinemas on 6^th January 2023.

Watch the trailer for Piggy here: