Sight and Sound Magazine Article - Dark Waters - links to Japanese myth and The Ring

Sight and Sound Magazine Article - Dark Waters - links to Japanese myth and The Ring

(Page 32) 'no sense of closure or conclusion, no banishment or laying to rest of the undead'. The undead is similar to the Japanese ghosts, Onryo, who died a traumatic death and seek revenge. 'Japanese horror movies end with a suggestion that the spirit still remains at large'. This is similar to the ending of The Ring where the curse of the videotape/Samara is still at large. 'The Japanese don't regard spirits only as enemies, but as beings that co-exist with this world of ours'. This is a belief that many Japanese have of Onryo today. Films that involve water are designed to keep the horror fluid instead of the solid for that is traditionally seen in Western horrors.

(Page 36) 'The soul of a person, the souls of ancestors and the mysterious invisible powers which are perhaps closer to gods'. Japanese horror can be traced back to different beliefs to that of Western culture. 'Japanese ghosts are supposed to appear wherever the water exists...strong connection between water and the supernatural'. 

Relevant research from the book: Asia Shock by Patrick Galloway

Relevant research from the book: Asia Shock by Patrick Galloway

(Page 76) Technology is used as a warning, like in other Asian films such as Phone. In The Ring, the technology featured is the cursed videotape which allows the spirit inside to haunt the viewer.

(Page 78 and 79) 'Sadako [Samara] grabs Reiko's [Rachel's] forearm...black, burn-like finger marks where the ghost had touched her'. The character of Samara is made to look like a 'more traditional vengeful Japanese ghost'. The fear is created through a 'mixture of biology and the supernatural'.

PRIMARY RESEARCH - FILM SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

PRIMARY RESEARCH - FILM SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

FILM TITLE: The Blair Witch Project

SEQUENCE TIME CODE:  1:07:10-1:14:14

SOURCE: DVD 

(Image 1) The use of reflexive filming and handheld camera give the spectator a unique experience as they feel as though they are present in the frame. The BCU allows the character's emotions and distress to clearly be seen, helping the spectator to empathise with their fear.

(Image 2) The bloodshot eyes indicate her lack of sleep and the level of her distress. The threat is still not present in the frame and it builds the level of fear for the spectator as it is an unknown presence.

(Image 3) The house is seen via the handheld camera but this also seems to be in first person from the perspective of the spectator, making them feel as though they are present. The house has only just been found because the spirit has led them to it, and windows have marks in that indicate a ritualistic haunting. The hauntings are similar to those of other documented witchcraft myths.

(Image 4) The noose is present in the frame to remind us that the woman accused of witchcraft, Elly Kedward, was hung and this must be near to where she died. This is also symbolic because the presence of the noose shows that the spirit is occupying the house and is probably responsible for the disappearance of the others.

(Image 5) The hand prints show a number of victims that the Blair Witch has taken and they explain the disappearances.

(Image 6) The handheld camera is dropped on the floor> shows that 1st person/us has been attacked. Last known victim of Blair Witch. Unresolved cliffhanger.

PRIMARY RESEARCH - FILM SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

PRIMARY RESEARCH - FILM SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

FILM TITLE: The Ring

SEQUENCE TIME CODE: 47:20-53:20 

SOURCE: DVD 

(Image 1) The mother is in the bedroom of her child whilst the minor music and rain can be heard in the background. This foreshadows the appearance of  Samara and the child being found watching the tape. 

(Image 2) As the water is poured, the rain continues in the background, symbolising danger involving water. After the water has been poured, the shot lingers and continues to focus on the jug strengthening this theory. Water occurs in some Asian myths and can be linked to spirits such as Onryo aka the vengeful spirit. The phone also reminds the audience of the danger as that is the origin of the threatening voice which says seven days.

(Image 3) The choking on the water shows the impending threat from Samara, who is seeking revenge for her drowning in the well. The shot following this emphasises the glass of water. Comment on the link to Dark Waters film.

(Image 4) The electrode of  an old EEG was pulled out of Rachel's throat during her choking session. The electrode is one that was used on Samara when she was alive and this is her way of seeking revenge, by inflicting her suffering on others.

 

(Image 5) The water begins to dribble out of the phone as a warning that Samara is nearby. Also, the phone combined with the water is linked to the voice that says seven days and it is linked to Samara herself.

(Image 6) Samara appears in the child's bedroom and this symbolises her hunger for revenge by forcing the boy to watch the tape. The water around her is to indicate that she has come  from the well in which she died. Her appearance reminds Rachel of her impending doom.

(Image 7) The animal-like and supernatural behaviour causes the spectator to feel scared because the behaviour is inhumane and therefore unpredictable. The patches of rotting flesh remind us of the fact that Samara is dead and tat she spirit remains vengeful.When her arm makes contact with Rachel's, she plants memories of her suffering in Rachel's mind.

(Image 8) Rachel wakes up believing it is a dream but is reminded that Samara has supernatural powers which left an animal-like mark on her arm. After realising that it was real, Rachel remembers the danger and rushes to check on her son who is sat watching the tape after being forced by Samara.

(Image 9) The faces of the characters in the photos have now blurred to symbolised that they have been cursed as a direct result of seeing/experiencing Samara's spiritual hauntings.