When looking at books or articles trying to describe cult films, it is often the case that the films in question share one common denominator - often they are genre films. Even though quite a few cult films are musicals or road movies, by far the most seem to be located within the realm of science fiction and horror. These genres seem to have very strong followings, despite the (obvious lack of) quality of individual films. B-movies are an obvious part of these cults.
This session will investigate how a notion like “genre” is often problematised when investigating cult films, and asking in the vein of Eco’, could it be said that the cult is born precisely in the filmic “collage” and genre conventions many of these films use?
- Are the Alien-films science fiction or horror? Or both?
- Is Shadow of the Vampire a horror film, a pastiche, a documentary re-enactment or a film which should be understood on a more metaphorical level?
- What is it in genre films that seem to attract cult audiences?
- Are there correlations between genres - ie. are some genres more easily compatible than others?
- Are genres helpful when discussing film and cult film in general?
- What does hybrid genres do to the notion of genre?
Film: Elias Merhige’s Shadow of the Vampire. Screening 8-3, kl 14.00 in room 2.130
Reading: Noel Carroll, Philosophy of Horror (introduction)
