Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film

摘要: Do the pleasures of horror movies really begin and end in sadism? So public discussion film assumes, so theory claims. Carol Clover argues, however, that these films work mainly to engage viewer plight victim-hero, who suffers fright but rises vanquish forces oppression. Clover, a medievalist, had written extensively on literature culture early northern Europe, especially Old Norse sagas. From her expertise formulaic narrative grew interest contemporary cinema, which is, after all, yet another form oral storytelling. Men, Women, Chain Saws investigated appeal particular phenomenal popularity those "low" genres feature female heroes play male audiences: slasher, occult, rape-revenge films. Such seem offer sadistic pleasure their viewers, not much else. argued reverse: are designed align spectators with tormentor, tormented--with suffering, pain, anguish "final girl," as calls endures before rising, finally, oppressor. The book has found an avid readership from students major Hollywood filmmakers, figure final girl been taken up by wide range artists, inspiring just filmmakers also musicians poets.