By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
What is horror?
The English word is derived from the Latin word “horrere” — something that causes intense feelings of disgust, fear or shock.
Last week, Rider University students were treated to a weeklong horror festival that examined the genre of horror films through a series of lectures and discussions as well as the screening of some classic films.
Several Rider professors discussed horror films in the opening round of discussions March 2. The professors, who teach in the English department and the communications and journalism department, attempted to define horror films and to explain the genre’s popularity.
The earliest horror films have their genesis in Gothic literature, according to Dr. Barry Janes.
Some of those early “silent” films — “Frankenstein,” which was first made in 1910, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” which was filmed in 1919 as well as 1922’s “Nosferatu” — helped pave the way for the acceptance of horror films, Dr. Janes said.
But while horror to most people is make believe, it was reality for the English, who were subjected to the bombing of their cities by the Germans during World War II, Dr. Janes said. For that reason, horror movies were banned during the war, he said.
“Real life horror must have been overwhelming,” Dr. Janes said.
Through the years, however, horror films changed, he said. The 1950s gave way to B-grade movies, such as “I Was a Teenage Frankenstein.” Other “monsters” were the result of the release of nuclear radiation and its impact on the body, he said.
But director Alfred Hitchcock gave a “new face” to terror, Dr. Janes said, adding that, for many people, “Psycho” was the quintessential horror film.
Rider student Zach Bowen, who also took part in the panel discussion, said horror films made between 1929 and 1945 were “great artistically and creatively.” He is a senior, majoring in English.
The horror films served as an escape mechanism, Mr. Bowen said. The films were a reflection of the times and all that was wrong with the world, he said, noting it was a way to put a face on it.
Rebecca Basham, who teaches in the English department, observed that just about any time there is an economic downturn, horror films abound. The films may be reflections of cultural mores as viewers live vicariously through them, she said.
Sometimes, horror films are a metaphor for life, Dr. Basham said. It gives the viewers a chance to exorcise “the dark side” without the consequences, she said. One may think about performing a violent act, but never carry it out — unlike the characters in a movie, she said.
Dr. Thomas Simonet, who teaches in the communications and journalism department, agreed with Dr. Basham that horror films may act as a catharsis.
“We have a dark side or someone we relate to has a dark side,” Dr. Simonet said. “(A film) can be a metaphor for an addiction or schizophrenia.”
Dr. Simonet said that, sometimes, one can see the release on a student’s face as he or she discusses a favorite horror film — “but I don’t think you should get lessons from horror films.”
Although movies such as “The Silence of the Lambs” may not be classic horror films, they are frightening in their own way, said Dr. Cynthia Lucia, who teaches in the English department and organized the weeklong event.
Psychological thrillers touch on the potential for something dark at times, Dr. Lucia said. They tug on the unknown, she said, noting, “What frightens us the most (at times) attracts us the most.”
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