supernatural horror

12
Supernatural horror films

Upload: ppermaul

Post on 20-Jul-2015

128 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Supernatural horror films

Supernatural horror…The demonic/supernatural film is not to be confused with the zombie film or the vampire film which although have similar traits are not about demonic possession or the supernatural.

• What are some of the key conventions of the genre?

• Demonic possession.• Witchcraft and paganism.• A ghostly presence.• Religious devotion.• The extraordinary invading the ordinary.• Divine retribution and blasphemy.• Exorcism.

‘The Exorcist’Dir: William Freidkin(1973)

The Exorcist-some notes

• ‘The Exorcist’ was released in 1973 and is based on a book by William Peter Blatty.

• Blatty himself based the story on ‘real exorcism’ that took place in San Francisco.

• The film was nominated for ten academy awards- them most for any horror film. It is also still the highest grossing horror film of all time.

• The film was released to a wave of controversy with the catholic church in America wanting the film banned.

• In the UK it was not allowed a video release in the 1980s.

• The film was re-released in 1998.

• The film is famous for its supposed curse…..

Horror in the 1970s-• What differences in emotional responses did you have

when watching Halloween compared to The Exorcist?

• Both films are ‘dated’. Modern audiences have become more desensitised to images of horror.

• H bursts of fear/adrenaline. Quick shocks that disappear. Use of technical aspects, particularly music and lighting.

• H seems ‘real’ based on the possibility of real murder. More human therefore less threatening.

• However for non-believers E is fantasy and not to be taken seriously.

• The use of a child in E is more disturbing than H.

• Use of sound in E is very disturbing as well as the visual effects-projectile vomit, head spinning, levitating the bed.

• Regan’ hair and make up.

‘The Exorcist’- Issues of representation

• How does the film represent:

• Gender- Age -Ethnicity- Religion- Social Class.

• Regan- the pre-pubescent teen

• Regan’s mother – single working mother.

• Father Damian and Catholicism.

• The white middle class, suburban lifestyle.

• The opening in primitive, foreign Iraq.

‘The Exorcist’- The opening• The macro aspects: Narrative and Themes

• The plot exposition.• The exposition is quite long. Why? When does the plot actually start?

• Is the Iraq ‘prologue’ necessary?

• Why does the film spend so long on Father Karras’s back story?

• What can you say about the narrative structure? • Linear or non-linear?

• What is the time frame of the film? One week a month. How long ago was the Iraq prologue?

• How early can we predict what might happen to Regan.

• Can you identify key supernatural themes in the opening ?• Extraordinary invading the ordinary

• Fear of the dark, religion (wrath of God), fear of foreigners…

• Crisis of faith.

‘The Exorcist’- Exposition and the micro apsects.

• Sound(dialogue, music and sound effects)• The chaotic diegetic street market sounds in Iraq- build to

crescendo• The harsh, discordant sound of the demon in the loft.• The naturalistic dialogue.• The famous use of ‘Tubular Bells’ music (tracking shot). Now closely

associated with horror.

• Mise en scene (sets and locations, costume, props and lighting)

• The primitive, chaotic Arab world.• The ancient artefact and demonic statue in Iraq• The suburban large townhouse with maids.• Chiaroscuro lighting- in the loft• Religious symbols- crucifix, nuns. The Ouija board?• Father Damian’s priestly garments.

• Cinematography (shots, angles and movements)

• The two shot ‘face-off between the priest and the demonic statue in Iraq.

• The long tracking shot of Regan’s mother walking down ordinary suburban street.

• The low angles looking up at the loft- what is up there?

• The slow track back at the dinner party to reveal Regan – before she wets herself.

• Editing (positioning of shots, continuity editing, transitions)

The Exorcist- ‘therapist scene’

• Constant undertone tremor

• Chiaroscuro – Magritte painting ‘ Empire of light’ 1950, events happening in genuine place. They depict the paradoxical image of a night-time street, lit only by a single street light, beneath a daytime sky. Shown and represented through the candle light

• Candles represent Jesus.

• Bedroom- safe and secure domestic setting?

• The room is always cold, evil dwells in the cold (inhumane). Uncomfortable and disorientated in relation to the sounds.

Therapist scene continued….

• Dialogue addressing in second person by therapist

• Monotone delivery of Regan.

• Growling animalistic sounds

• Make up- pale lifeless face

• Close ups and reaction shots of Regan and mother.

• Picture of Regan falls.

• Regan’s POV- emphasizes the pain of the man, also emphasizes the pain Regan is causing and her extraordinary supernatural powers.

‘The Exorcist’ and emotional response

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OtrZoqN-xo

• ‘The Exorcist’ is an iconic horror film. There is a myth surrounding the film generated by the supposed ‘curse’ during its production.

• This was then reinforced by the reaction it received form audiences when first released in 1973.

• The film itself was groundbreaking in terms of the way is used visual effects and sound effects to create the horror.

• It also used a child actress in manner that shocked audiences.• By the early 1970’s censorship laws had been loosened so that

graphic sex/nudity, explicit violence and course language were permissible.

• What questions can we ask in regards to audience's emotional response to The Exorcist?