supernatural horror
TRANSCRIPT
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-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?