Life&Arts
Friday, September 9, 2011 •
B5
Film
Cinema mimics societal fears C
inema has the power to move us, to inspire us, and to comment on the behaviors and beliefs of our society. It serves as an invaluable medium for extracting penetrating insight into the human psyche and the everchanging aspects of our culture. Two sub-genres that effectively adhere to this notion include “the zombie film” and “the vampire film.” Films associated with these genres often depict a society infested with malicious, disease-ridden, and blood-thirsty villains that threaten the longevity of our world. They have been of particular interest to today’s youth with the initiation of the “Twilight” phenomenon and titles such as “Let The Right One In” (2008), “Zombieland” (2009) and “The Crazies” (2010). What is it about these grisly gore-a-thons that attracts so many viewers? Is the horror genre merely the product of a decaying society vicariously indulging in its primitive desires disguised as entertainment?
sucking boyfriend to sink his fangs into her jugular, she is enthralled by his eerie charms. Bella’s vulnerability and suppression of her internal desires allude to the anxiety today’s youth holds about losing their virginity. The act of submission trigLaron Chapman gers the danger, but they are Laron.M.Chapman-1@ou.edu invariably drawn to it. The concept of contagion Not quite. is also a societal concern. When given a deeper, The crippling fear of catchmore thoughtful examinaing a rapidly mutating virus tion, it is safe to argue that these films explore the dark- is personified by the ravener depths of reality and func- ous zombie archetype. This malevolent being tion as mediums by which serves as a repository, or viewers can channel and rather a manifestation of our confront the fears they supsociety’s fear of contracting press in their minds. communicable diseases, The fears of contracting a terminal illness, engaging in more specifically STDs. Take, for example, the anpremarital sexuality, or surnual outbreaks of influenza, viving the perils of a savage post-apocalyptic setting are prompting our society to get its “flu shot,” or the paranoia a few of the anxieties these that transpired during the films evoke. The psychological struggle “swine flu” catastrophe. It is between seduction and fear a common tactic for the “uninflected” inhabitants of the is effectively rendered by societies these films depict the young, smitten heroine Bella (Kirsten Stewart) of the to try and produce curing vaccine and initiating a strict “Twilight” series. quarantine, separating the While Bella is dutifully infected individuals from the aware of the dangers that healthy ones. would ensue if she allows This practice suggests her hormonal, blood-
Life & Arts Columnist
photo provided
Marion Cotillard as the character “Dr. Leonora Orantes” in this month’s “Contagion.” The film, along with several other recent films, play up cultural fears as part of their plots.
that if such measures are not contained, they can lead to our demise, generating a premature apocalypse. The audience projects its anxieties onto the monster, confronting them, and ultimately vanquishing them to put their troubles at ease. Now, maybe these actions
are performed unconsciously, or perhaps this theory is a bit of a stretch. Either way, the cinema has the ability to inspire such connections and it would explain these films widespread appeal. The most recent example of this viral craze is
exercised in director Steven Soderbergh’s “Contagion” about a lethal airborne disease that becomes a global epidemic, which releases today in theatres worldwide. Coincidence? I think not.
KSU students will be here to do the same in the Fred Jones Art Center’s Lightwell Gallery. “We were approached by KSU last summer,” said Curtis Jones, printmaking professor of the OU School of Art and Art History. “I believe it is a good initiative to foster relationships among the Big 12 universities.” The exchange gives students a chance to reach out
to other communities. “This exchange presents a chance for students to work with artists from other communities and teach them to seek opportunities to exhibit professionally outside Oklahoma,” added Curtis. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Laron Chapman is a film and media studies senior.
Entertainment Briefs Music
OU brings worldtraveling organist The OU School of Music kicks off its Boggess Artist Concert Series at 8 p.m. Friday with a performance by a world-renowned guest organist in Gothic Hall, Catlett Music Center. Students will have an exclusive opportunity to hear
Stephen Tharp perform two, currently unpublished pieces from composers George Baker and Anthony Newman. Tharp received the 2011 International Performer of the Year award by the New York City chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has performed for audiences across the globe. “[The goal is to] engage people at all levels, whether
you’ve been to an organ re- Art cital or not. There’s something for everyone,” Tharp OU art students said. Tickets for all Boggess take work to KSU Series events are $9 for Art students from OU adults and $5 for students, and Kansas State University faculty, staff and senior will trade exhibitions this adults. month. OU graduate students Brooke Buckmaster, will be in Manhattan, Kan., Life & Arts Reporter to install the artwork for an exhibit running Friday through Sept. 23.
Uny Chan, Staff Reporter