They Live 9780231850742

Table of contents :
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION. THE BECOMING-PIPER
1. THE CULT OF THE EIGHTIES
2. WAKE-UP CALL
3. REEL POLITIK
4. THROUGH A PAIR OF CHEAP SUNGLASSES DARKLY
5. THE PATHOLOGICAL UNCONSCIOUS
6. LEGACIES
NOTES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

Citation preview

CULTOGRAPHIES

CULTOGRAPHIES is a new list of individual studies devoted to the analysis of cult film. The series provides a comprehensive introduction to those films which have attained the coveted status of a cult classic, focusing on their particular appeal, the ways in which they have been conceived, constructed and received, and their place in the broader popular cultural landscape. For more information, please visit www.cultographies.com Series editors: Ernest Mathijs (University of British Columbia) and Jamie Sexton (Northumbria University)

OTHER PUBLISHED TITLES IN THE CULTOGRAPHIES SERIES

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Jeffrey Weinstock

DONNIE DARKO Geoff King

THIS IS SPINAL TAP Ethan de Seife

SUPERSTAR: THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY

THE EVIL DEAD Kate Egan

BLADE RUNNER Matt Hills

BAD TASTE Jim Barratt

QUADROPHENIA Stephen Glynn

Glyn Davis

FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!

BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA

Robert Horton

Ian Cooper

Dean DeFino

FRANKENSTEIN

THEY LIVE D. Harlan Wilson

WALLFLOWER PRESS LONDON & NEW YORK

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INTRODUCTION THE BECOMING-PIPER

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CULT O GRA PHIES

!TĺTHEĺTIMEĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺRELEASEĺINĺ ĺHEĺHADĺREACHEDĺTHEĺ APEXĺOFĺAĺPROüTABLEĺCAREERĺ$EVELOPMENTSĺINĺCABLEĺTELEVISION ĺ PAY PER VIEW ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ PROMOTIONALĺ EFFORTSĺ OFĺ MEDIAĺ MOGULSĺ 4EDĺ4URNERĺANDĺ6INCEĺ-C-AHONĺHADĺESTABLISHEDĺPROFESSIONALĺ WRESTLINGĺASĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺMOSTĺLUCRATIVEĺENTERTAINMENTĺINDUS TRIESĺ )Nĺ THISĺ PRETEND BATTLEĺ kSPORTl ĺ THEREĺ AREĺ HEROES ĺ VILLAINSĺ ANDĺCHARACTERSĺWHOĺOSCILLATEĺBETWEENĺMORALISTICĺPOLESĺ7HILEĺ HEĺHADĺMOMENTSĺOFĺLIKABILITY ĺ0IPERĺWASĺALMOSTĺALWAYSĺBADĺ RACIST ĺMISOGYNISTIC ĺSMART MOUTHEDĺANDĺDEMENTED ĺHISĺASS HOLERYĺ SEEMEDĺ TOĺ HAVEĺ NOĺ BOUNDARIESĺ (ISĺ ROLEĺ ASĺ .ADAĺ ISĺ COMPARATIVELYĺTAMEĺTOĺHISĺROLEĺASĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLER ĺBUTĺ THEĺLATTERĺINEVITABLYĺINFORMSĺTHEĺFORMER ĺANDĺASĺTHEĺüLMĺPRO GRESSES ĺWEĺWITNESSĺAĺDISTINCTĺTRANSFORMATIONĺINĺ.ADAĺFROMĺ MILD MANNERED ĺ LOWER CLASS ĺ CONFORMISTĺ !MERICANĺ PATRIOTĺ TOĺ VOLATILE ĺCLASSLESS ĺINDIVIDUALISTICĺ!MERICANĺANARCHIST 4HISĺTRANSFORMATIONĺEVOKESĺ'ILLESĺ$ELEUZEĺANDĺ&ÀLIXĺ'UAT TARIlSĺ CONCEPTĺ OFĺ THEĺ BECOMING ANIMAL ĺ Aĺ COMPLEXĺ PROCESSĺ WHEREBYĺ ONEĺ EXPERIENCESĺ Aĺ PATHOLOGICALĺ METAMORPHOSIS ĺ FORĺBETTERĺORĺFORĺWORSE ĺSPROUTINGĺTHEĺWINGSĺOFĺANGELSĺORĺTHEĺ FANGSĺOFĺWEREWOLVESĺANDĺVAMPIRESĺWHATEVERĺTHEĺCASE ĺTHEĺ PROCESSĺVIESĺFORĺAGENCYĺ)Nĺ+AFKAĺ4OWARDSĺ-INORĺ,ITERATURE ĺ $ELEUZEĺANDĺ'UATTARIĺWRITEĺk4HEĺBECOMING ANIMALĺEFFECTIVELYĺ SHOWSĺAĺWAYĺOUT ĺTRACESĺAĺLINEĺOFĺESCAPE ĺBUTĺISĺINCAPABLEĺOFĺ FOLLOWINGĺITĺORĺMAKINGĺITSĺOWNlĺĺp ĺ-ANYĺOFĺ+AFKAlSĺ STORIESĺFEATUREĺCHARACTERSĺWHOĺCHANGEĺFROMĺHUMANSĺINTOĺANI MALSĺASĺAĺMEANSĺOFĺESCAPEĺFROMĺOPPRESSIVEĺPATRIARCHALĺFORC ESĺ THEĺ EVOLVINGĺ PHYSICALĺ BODYĺ CLAWSĺ FORĺ Aĺ DESIREDĺ TERMINALĺ IDENTITYĺ .ADAĺ EXPERIENCESĺ Aĺ SIMILARĺ CRISISĺ4HROUGHOUTĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVE ĺHEĺBEARSĺTHEĺCROSSĺOFĺTHEĺBECOMING ANIMAL ĺWHICHĺISĺTOĺ SAY ĺ OFĺ THEĺ BECOMING 0IPER ĺ Aĺ BURDENĺ THATĺ CULMINATESĺ INĺ HISĺ DEATHĺ ASĺ HEĺ kSHOWSĺ Aĺ WAYĺ OUT ĺ TRACESĺ Aĺ LINEĺ OFĺ ESCAPElĺ FORĺ HUMANITYĺ "UTĺ ITĺ ISĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ ACTĺ OFĺ BECOMING 0IPERĺ THATĺ THEĺ AFOREMENTIONEDĺ ONE LINERSĺ EXHIBITĺ Aĺ DEEPERĺ RESONANCEĺ 4OĺBECOMEĺ0IPERĺISĺTOĺBECOMEĺVIOLENT ĺTOĺBECOMEĺSEXISTĺANDĺ 2

T HEY LIVE

HYPERMASCULINEĺpĺTOĺBECOMEĺANĺ!MERICANĺHEROa /Fĺ COURSE ĺ ASĺ Aĺ TEENAGERĺ GROWINGĺ UPĺ INĺ Sĺ -IDWESTĺ !MERICA ĺ IDLEĺ THEORISATIONSĺ ESCAPEDĺ MEĺ )ĺ THOUGHTĺ 2ODDYĺ 0IPERĺWASĺCOOLĺ(EĺHADĺAĺCOCKINESSĺANDĺČAIRĺFORĺMOCKERYĺTHATĺ MYĺFRIENDSĺANDĺ)ĺASPIREDĺTOĺEMULATEĺ/URĺRELATIONSHIPĺWASĺTOĺ SOMEĺDEGREEĺCONTINGENTĺUPONĺTHEĺDYNAMISMĺWITHĺWHICHĺWEĺ RIDICULEDĺ ONEĺ ANOTHER ĺ ASĺ ISĺ OFTENĺ THEĺ CASEĺ AMONGĺ TEENAGEĺ BOYSĺJOCKEYINGĺTOĺESTABLISHĺAĺMASCULINE ĺSENSEĺOFĺSELFĺ0IPERĺ SERVEDĺASĺAĺüNEĺMODELĺ/THERĺWRESTLERSĺCAMEĺTOĺPROMINENCEĺ INĺ THEĺ Sĺ pĺ (ULKĺ (OGAN ĺ 2ICKYĺ kTHEĺ $RAGONlĺ 3TEAMBOAT ĺ *AKEĺ kTHEĺ 3NAKElĺ 2OBERTS ĺ THEĺ (ONKYĺ4ONKĺ -AN ĺ 2ANDYĺ kTHEĺ -ACHOĺ -ANlĺ 3AVAGE ĺ THEĺ )RONĺ 3HEIK ĺ !NDREĺ THEĺ 'IANT ĺ "IGĺ *OHNĺ3TUDD ĺ+INGĺ+ONGĺ"UNDYĺANDĺ*IMMYĺk3UPERČYlĺ3NUKA ĺALLĺ OFĺWHOMĺČAUNTEDĺTHEIRĺOWNĺSIGNATUREĺMOVESĺANDĺPERSONALITYĺ TRAITSĺ"UTĺNONEĺOFĺTHEMĺCOMMANDEDĺOURĺATTENTIONĺLIKEĺ0IPER !SĺWITHĺTEENAGEĺBOYS ĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLERSĺASSERTĺIDENTI TYĺBYĺWAYĺOFĺDERISION ĺANDĺTHEĺSHARPERĺANDĺWITTIERĺTHEĺDERISION ĺ THEĺBETTERĺ.OBODYĺCOULDĺCONTENDĺWITHĺ0IPERĺ!TĺAĺHEIGHTĺOFĺ lnĺANDĺANĺAVERAGEĺWEIGHTĺOFĺĺLBSĺINĺHISĺEARLYĺCAREERĺSEEĺ 3LAGLEĺ ĺHEĺWASĺSMALLERĺTHANĺMOSTĺOFĺHISĺPEERSĺLINGUISTI CALLY ĺ HOWEVER ĺ HEĺ TOWEREDĺ INĺ THEĺ SKYĺ LIKEĺ Aĺ MOUNTAINĺ GODĺ !NDĺHEĺFOUGHTĺDIRTYĺ7EĺLIKEDĺTHATĺ7EĺKNEWĺWRESTLINGĺWASĺ FAKEĺpĺPHYSICALLYĺGRUELLING ĺBUTĺREHEARSEDĺANDĺPERFORMATIVEĺpĺ ANDĺWEĺKNEWĺWRESTLERSĺWEREĺACTORSĺ"UTĺTHATĺDIDNlTĺSTOPĺUSĺ FROMĺLOSINGĺOURSELVESĺINĺTHEĺDRAMAĺOFĺTHEIRĺCOUNTERFEITĺLIVES 0IPERlSĺAPPEARANCEĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺONLYĺSTOKEDĺMYĺAFFECTIONĺ 4HEĺüLMĺWASĺDIRECTEDĺBYĺONEĺOFĺMYĺFAVOURITEĺüLMMAKERS ĺ*OHNĺ #ARPENTER ĺWHOSEĺBODYĺOFĺWORKĺCONSISTENTLYĺFRIGHTENEDĺANDĺ INTRIGUEDĺMEĺFROMĺAĺYOUNGĺAGEĺ)ĺSAWĺMYĺüRSTĺ#ARPENTERĺüLMĺ INĺĺONĺMYĺELEVENTHĺBIRTHDAYĺ!FTERĺENDURINGĺTWOĺMONTHlSĺ OFĺWHININGĺANDĺPLEADING ĺMYĺMOTHERĺüNALLYĺBROKEĺDOWNĺANDĺ TOOKĺ MEĺ TOĺ MYĺ üRSTĺ 2 RATEDĺ FEATURE ĺ 4HEĺ4HINGĺ )ĺ HADĺ NEVERĺ SEENĺ ANYTHINGĺ LIKEĺ ITĺ4HEĺ ČAILINGĺ TENTACLES ĺ THEĺ BUCKETSĺ OFĺ BLOOD ĺTHEĺBOILINGĺČESH ĺAĺPECTORALISĺDENTATAĺTHATĺCHOMPSĺOFFĺ 3

CULT O GRA PHIES

SOMEBODYlSĺ HANDS ĺ Aĺ MELTED OFFĺ HEADĺ THATĺ SPROUTSĺ HIDEOUSĺ INSECTĺLEGSĺpĺITĺFEDĺMYĺIMAGINATIONĺTOĺMYĺDETRIMENTĺANDĺBEN EüTĺ)NĺTHEĺYEARSĺTHATĺFOLLOWED ĺ)ĺBECAMEĺANĺARDENTĺDEVOTEEĺ OFĺ#ARPENTER ĺREPEATEDLYĺDEVOURINGĺHISĺMOVIESĺATĺTHEĺTHEATREĺ ANDĺONĺVIDEOCASSETTEĺ(ORRORĺANDĺSCIENCEĺüCTIONĺMOVIESĺLIKEĺ 0RINCEĺ OFĺ $ARKNESS ĺ %SCAPEĺ FROMĺ .EWĺ9ORK ĺ (ALLOWEENĺ ANDĺ "IGĺ4ROUBLEĺ INĺ ,ITTLEĺ #HINAĺ OPENEDĺ UPĺ NEWĺ REALMSĺ OFĺ TERROR ĺ ADVENTUREĺ ANDĺ INSIGHTĺ FORĺ MEĺ "Yĺ THEĺ TIMEĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ CAMEĺ OUTĺINĺ ĺ)ĺKNEWĺMYĺ#ARPENTERĺ)ĺWASĺSIXTEENĺANDĺHADĺBEENĺ FOLLOWINGĺTHEĺBUZZĺFORĺMONTHSĺ4RAILERSĺRANĺHABITUALLYĺONĺ4"3 ĺ THEĺ TELEVISIONĺ STATIONĺ BASEDĺ INĺ !TLANTA ĺ 'EORGIA ĺ THATĺ INĺ THEĺ SĺBOASTEDĺAĺVIRTUALĺMONOPOLYĺONĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLINGĺ BROADCASTSĺ3OMEHOWĺ)ĺHADĺEVENĺMANAGEDĺTOĺACQUIREĺAĺPRO MOTIONALĺ POSTERĺ FORĺ THEĺ üLM ĺ Aĺ CONSIDERABLEĺ FEATĺ INĺ THEĺ PRE )NTERNETĺAGEĺFORĺAĺ-IDWESTERNĺTEENAGERĺFROMĺ'RANDĺ2APIDS ĺ -ICHIGANĺ )Tĺ HUNGĺ ONĺ THEĺ WALLĺ OVERĺ MYĺ BEDĺ LIKEĺ Aĺ TROPHYĺ4Oĺ CLINCHĺTHISĺSPELLĺOFĺFANBOYISM ĺ)ĺEVENĺWOREĺAĺk(/4ĺ2/$lĺ4 SHIRTĺ TOĺ THEĺ OPENINGĺ NIGHTĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLM ĺ THEĺ SAMEĺ4 SHIRTĺ WORNĺ BYĺ THEĺWRESTLERACTORĺDURINGĺk0IPERlSĺ0ITl ĺANĺINTERVIEWĺSEGMENTĺ SHOWNĺ BETWEENĺ MATCHESĺ INĺ WHICHĺ 0IPERĺ INVARIABLYĺ BELITTLED ĺ SUCKERPUNCHEDĺANDĺBEATĺUPĺHISĺOSTENSIBLYĺHAREBRAINEDĺINTER LOCUTORSĺ)ĺWASĺNOTĺALONEĺINĺMYĺCHOICEĺOFĺCLOTHING

‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper licks his chops as he taunts fans from the ring. 4

T HEY LIVE

.EEDLESSĺ TOĺ SAY ĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ EXCEEDEDĺ MYĺ EXPECTATIONSĺ )NĺRETROSPECT ĺ)ĺREALISEĺTHATĺWHATĺ)ĺLIKEDĺMOSTĺABOUTĺTHEĺüLMĺ WEREĺITSĺDEüNITIVEĺCULTĺELEMENTSĺ/VER THE TOPĺACTINGĺ#HEESYĺ DIALOGUEĺ(YPERBOLICĺVIOLENCEĺ-AGICĺSUNGLASSESĺ'ORYĺALIENĺ FACESĺ 7RISTWATCHESĺ THATĺ OPENĺ PORTALSĺ INĺ THEĺ ASPHALTĺ !ĺ RI DICULOUSLYĺLONGĺSTREETĺüGHTĺTHATĺINCLUDESĺSUPLEXESĺANDĺBODYĺ SLAMSĺ!NDĺSOĺONĺ4HESEĺIDIOSYNCRASIESĺDREWĺMEĺTOĺ#ARPEN TERlSĺOEUVREĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺPLACEĺ)TĺREMINDSĺMEĺJUSTĺHOWĺMUCHĺ AĺCULTĺAESTHETICĺSTEMSĺFROMĺMALEĺADOLESCENTĺIMAGINATIONĺANDĺ DESIREĺ4HATĺSAID ĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺSOCIALĺCOMMENTARYĺDIDNlTĺESCAPEĺ ME ĺ PARTLYĺ BECAUSEĺ THATĺ COMMENTARYĺ ISĺ EGREGIOUS ĺ MAINLYĺ BECAUSEĺOFĺTHEĺCULTUREĺOFĺFEARĺANDĺPARANOIAĺ)ĺHADĺWITNESSEDĺ GROWINGĺUPĺDURINGĺTHEĺCLIMACTICĺYEARSĺOFĺTHEĺ#OLDĺ7AR !TĺSCHOOL ĺATĺHOME ĺATĺTHEĺMOVIESĺANDĺONĺ46 ĺAĺMESSAGEĺWASĺ DRILLEDĺINTOĺMEĺ2USSIANSĺAREĺEVILĺCOMMUNISTSĺANDĺTHEYlREĺGO INGĺTOĺNUKEĺTHEĺPLANETĺ&IRST ĺTHOUGH ĺCOMMUNISMĺWILLĺINFECTĺ !MERICAĺLIKEĺAĺVIRUS ĺRENDERINGĺUSĺ/RWELLIANĺZOMBIESĺATĺBESTĺ aĺ4HISĺKINDĺOFĺMANIAĺMADEĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺASĺENTERTAININGĺASĺITĺWASĺ CHILLINGĺ4HEĺANTAGONISTSĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺAREĺEVILĺCAPITALISTS ĺBUTĺTHEĺ THEMEĺOFĺSOCIALĺANDĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺINVASIONĺANDĺCONTROLĺALLIEDĺ THEĺALIENSĺWITHĺTHEĺ2USSIANSĺpĺANDĺTHEĺ#UBANS ĺWHO ĺINĺTHEĺ WAKEĺOFĺTHEĺFAILEDĺ"AYĺOFĺ0IGSĺINVASIONĺINĺ ĺANĺEFFORTĺTOĺ OUSTĺ&IDELĺ#ASTROĺFROMĺPOWER ĺREMAINEDĺAĺFERTILEĺCOMMUNISTĺ THREAT ĺIFĺONLYĺASĺAĺNIGGLINGĺREMINDERĺTHATĺTHEYĺLIVED 4WOĺWORLDSĺCOALESCEDĺFORĺMEĺINĺ#ARPENTERlSĺüLMĺTHEĺREALĺ WORLDĺOFĺIMPENDINGĺNUCLEARĺAPOCALYPSE ĺANDĺTHEĺüCTIONALĺWORLDĺ OFĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLINGĺWITHĺ0IPERĺINĺTHEĺCATBIRDlSĺSEATĺ"OTHĺ WEREĺkROWDYlĺ!NDĺBOTHĺINTERPELLATEDĺMEĺ,ISTENINGĺTOĺINSPIR INGĺSONGSĺONĺMYĺ3ONYĺ7ALKMANĺpĺRANGINGĺFROMĺ2%-ĺTOĺ)RONĺ -AIDENĺ pĺ )ĺ ENVISIONEDĺ MYSELFĺ INĺ THEĺ EFüGYĺ OFĺ 0IPERĺ TROUNC INGĺTHEĺ2USSIANSĺWITHĺARSENALSĺOFĺEVERYTHINGĺFROMĺČYINGĺKICKSĺ ANDĺ ATOMICĺ DROPSĺ TOĺ MACHINEĺ GUNSĺ ANDĺ HI TECHĺ CYBERWAREĺ 4HEĺEVENTĺTHATĺUNFOLDEDĺONĺMYĺMINDSCREENĺBELONGEDĺTOĺAĺCULTĺ üLM ĺANDĺ)ĺWASĺTHEĺSTAR ĺANĺINCREASINGLYĺČUIDĺBECOMING 0IPERĺ 5

CULT O GRA PHIES

WHOĺDISPATCHEDĺTHEĺENEMYĺENĺMASSE ĺSAVINGĺHUMANITYĺFROMĺ EXTINCTIONĺ ANDĺ PRESERVINGĺ THEĺ MORALĺ ECONOMYĺ OFĺ !MERICANĺ CAPITALISTĺLIFEĺ!Sĺ$ELEUZEĺANDĺ'UATTARIĺMIGHTĺSAY ĺ)ĺENGAGEDĺ INĺTHEĺSAMEĺPROJECTĺASĺ.ADA ĺUSINGĺTHEĺFANTASY AGENCYĺOFĺTHEĺ BECOMING 0IPERĺTOĺkSHOWĺAĺWAYĺOUTlĺANDĺkTRACEĺAĺLINEĺOFĺES CAPElĺFROMĺAĺMATRIXĺTHATĺ)ĺCOULDĺNOTĺFREEĺMYSELFĺFROMĺVIAĺMYĺ OWNĺVOLITIONĺANDĺFORTITUDEĺ4HISĺFANTASY AGENCYĺALLOWEDĺMEĺTOĺ BOTHĺCOPEĺWITHĺTHEĺLOOMINGĺHORRORSĺOFĺTHEĺREALĺWHILEĺEXPERI ENCINGĺTHEĺREALĺASĺAĺSOURCEĺOFĺSOLIPSISTICĺJOUISSANCE 4HEYĺ,IVEĺREMAINSĺ2ODDYĺ0IPERlSĺBESTĺüLMĺ3INCEĺTHEN ĺHEĺ HASĺCONTINUEDĺTOĺWRESTLEĺANDĺACT ĺMAKINGĺBOTTOM OF THE BARRELĺ : MOVIESĺ ANDĺ46ĺ SHOWS ĺ WITHĺ SOMEĺ EXCEPTIONS ĺ SUCHĺ ASĺ Aĺ ĺAPPEARANCEĺINĺTHEĺRAUNCHYĺ!MERICANĺSITCOMĺ)TlSĺ!LWAYSĺ 3UNNYĺINĺ0HILADELPHIAĺASĺANĺOVER THE HILLĺWRESTLERĺNAMEDĺk4HEĺ -ANIAClĺ)ĺMETĺHIMĺINĺ ĺTWENTYĺYEARSĺAFTERĺTHEĺRELEASEĺOFĺ 4HEYĺ,IVE ĺATĺAĺHORRORĺCONVENTIONĺINĺ-ARYLANDĺ)ĺWASĺPROMOT INGĺAĺNEWĺNOVELĺANDĺ0IPERĺWASĺAĺCELEBRITYĺGUESTĺ$RESSEDĺINĺ AĺDARKĺBLUEĺJUMPSUIT ĺHEĺHUNCHEDĺOVERĺAĺTABLEĺINĺTHEĺDEALERlSĺ ROOMĺSIGNINGĺPICTURESĺOFĺHIMSELFĺINĺMOVIEĺANDĺWRESTLINGĺSTILLSĺ (Eĺ ISĺ OLDĺ ANDĺ WEATHEREDĺ NOW ĺ VAGUELYĺ PUNCH DRUNK ĺ ANDĺ WALKSĺWITHĺAĺSLIGHTĺLIMPĺ7EĺMADEĺSMALLĺTALK ĺANDĺTHENĺ)ĺTOLDĺ HIMĺINĺSOMEĺDETAILĺABOUTĺTHEĺ#ULTOGRAPHIESĺTITLEĺ)ĺHADĺBEENĺ COMMISSIONEDĺ TOĺ WRITEĺ ONĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ (Eĺ LISTENEDĺ PATIENTLY ĺ MADEĺAĺFROGĺFACE ĺANDĺASKEDĺIFĺ)ĺWANTEDĺHIMĺTOĺSIGNĺANYTHINGĺ 'ETTINGĺANĺAUTOGRAPHĺHADNlTĺOCCURREDĺTOĺME ĺBUTĺ)ĺSNATCHEDĺAĺ PHOTOĺOFĺ.ADAĺFROMĺTHEĺTABLEĺANDĺHANDEDĺITĺTOĺHIM )ĺFELTĺAĺSORTĺOFĺLIGHT HEARTEDĺDISMAYĺWHENĺ)ĺNOTICEDĺTHATĺ0IP ERĺWASĺCHEWINGĺBUBBLEGUM !Sĺ HEĺ SCRIBBLEDĺ DOWNĺ HISĺ SIGNATURE ĺ )ĺ REMEMBEREDĺ HOWĺ DIFFERENTĺ THINGSĺ HADĺ BEENĺ INĺ THEĺ Sĺ 0IPERĺ ANDĺ )ĺ pĺ MY IDEAĺOFĺ0IPERĺANDĺ)ĺaĺWEĺWEREĺDIFFERENTĺPEOPLE ĺWITHĺDIFFER ENTĺ BODIES ĺ DESIRESĺ ANDĺ SELF CONCEPTSĺ4HEĺ WORLDĺ WEĺ LIVEĺ INĺ HADĺCHANGED ĺTOO ĺPLAGUEDĺBYĺTHEĺSPECTREĺOFĺGLOBALĺTERRORISMĺ ANDĺ NEWĺ BREEDSĺ OFĺ RACISM ĺ MISOGYNYĺ ANDĺ SYSTEMSSCREENSĺ 6

T HEY LIVE

OFĺ CONTROLĺ aĺ4HENĺ ITĺ OCCURREDĺ TOĺ MEĺ THATĺ THINGSĺ WERENlTĺ SOĺ DIFFERENTĺ4HEYĺWEREĺSIMPLYĺEXTENDED ĺEXTRAPOLATED ĺMOREĺAG GRESSIVELYĺTELEVISED ĺMEDIATISEDĺaĺ!RCHITECTURESĺOFĺVIOLENCEĺ REMAINĺ üRMLYĺ ERECTĺ!LLĺ THATĺ HASĺ CHANGEDĺ AREĺ TECHNIQUESĺ OFĺ INČICTION ĺWHICHĺEVOLVEDĺFROMĺTHEĺTORRENTĺOFĺMEDIAĺTECHNOLO GIESĺTHATĺEXPLODEDĺINĺTHEĺSĺ&ORĺME ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺNOTĺONLYĺ MARKSĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺANĺERA ĺBUTĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺOFĺAĺDANGEROUSĺ ANDĺEXCITINGĺTECHNOLOGICALĺFUTUREĺ4HISĺISĺNOTĺSURPRISINGĺFORĺAĺ CULTĺüLMĺCLEARLYĺAWAREĺOFĺITSELFĺASĺSUCHĺ#ONTRARYĺTOĺPOPULARĺ BELIEF ĺ CULTĺ CINEMA ĺ PERHAPSĺ MOREĺ THANĺ ANYĺ OTHERĺ FORM ĺ HASĺ BEENĺRELIABLYĺDEüNEDĺBYĺSOCIAL ĺCULTURALĺANDĺPOLITICALĺCRITIQUEĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ CERTAINLYĺ NAVIGATESĺ THISĺ TERRAINĺ )Tĺ ISĺ #ARPENTERlSĺ MOSTĺPOLITICALLYĺCHARGEDĺüLMĺpĺAĺTOKENĺEXAMPLEĺOFĺCOCKEYEDĺ ENTERTAINMENT ĺYETĺALSOĺAĺCRITICALĺATTACKĺONĺAĺWORLDĺTHAT ĺINĺTHEĺ DIRECTORlSĺ WORDS ĺ ISĺ kFUCKEDĺ BEYONDĺ BELIEF ĺ BUTĺ ITlSĺ THEĺ BESTĺ THEREĺISlĺQUOTEDĺINĺ"OULENGERĺĺ 

7

1 THE CULT OF THE EIGHTIES

REAGANISM 4HEĺ Sĺ BEGANĺ ASĺ Aĺ HOPEFULĺ PERIODĺ INĺ THEĺ 5NITEDĺ 3TATESĺ !MERICANSĺANTICIPATEDĺAĺRETURNĺTOĺTHEĺROMANTICISEDĺPROSPERITYĺ ANDĺkMORALĺVALUESlĺOFĺTHEĺSĺTHATĺWEREĺTRAMPLEDĺDURINGĺTHEĺ SĺANDĺSĺ3TEPHENĺ&EINSTEINĺEXPLAINS 4HEĺ DECADEĺ OFĺ THEĺ Sĺ INĺ THEĺ 5NITEDĺ 3TATESĺ WASĺ Aĺ VERYĺDIFFERENTĺTIMEĺaĺ4HEĺSOCIALĺUPHEAVALSĺINĺTHEĺSĺ BROUGHTĺ ABOUTĺ BYĺ THEĺ6IETNAMĺ7ARĺ ANDĺ OPPOSITIONĺ TOĺ ITĺ CONTINUEDĺ INTOĺ THEĺ Sĺ!MERICANSĺ INĺ THEĺ Sĺ ALSOĺ WITNESSEDĺTHEĺSORRYĺSPECTACLEĺOFĺTHEĺ7ATERGATEĺSCANDALĺ ANDĺ 0RESIDENTĺ 2ICHARDĺ .IXONlSĺ RESIGNATIONĺ FROMĺ OFüCEĺ !NDĺ THEĺ Sĺ ENDEDĺ WITHĺ THEĺ HUMILIATINGĺ EPISODEĺ OFĺ !MERICANSĺ BEINGĺ HELDĺ HOSTAGEĺ INĺ )RANĺ "Yĺ  ĺ ITĺ WASĺ TIMEĺFORĺAĺCHANGEĺ!MERICANSĺWEREĺTIREDĺOFĺPOLITICALĺPRO TESTSĺ4HEYĺ WEREĺ EAGERĺ TOĺ FEELĺ GOODĺ ABOUTĺ THEMSELVESĺ ANDĺ THEIRĺ COUNTRYĺ AGAINĺ 3ENSINGĺ THEIRĺ MOOD ĺ 2ONALDĺ 2EAGANĺ CAMPAIGNEDĺ FORĺ PRESIDENTĺ ONĺ THEĺ THEMEĺ OFĺ RE NEWINGĺGOODĺFEELINGSĺABOUTĺ!MERICAĺĺ 8

T HEY LIVE

4HESEĺ FEELINGSĺ BELONGEDĺ MAINLYĺ TOĺ RIGHT WINGĺ CONSERVA TIVESĺFORĺWHOMĺ2EAGANĺFUNCTIONEDĺASĺTHEĺULTIMATEĺPOSTERBOY ĺ IFĺNOTĺSAVIOURĺk&ORĺTHOSEĺHAPPILYĺONĺTHEĺRIGHT ĺTHEĺELECTIONĺOFĺ 2EAGANĺWASĺEVIDENCEĺNOTĺTHATĺTHEĺNEXTĺSTAGEĺOFĺDECLINEĺHADĺ BEENĺREACHEDĺBUTĺTHEĺPOINTĺATĺWHICHĺTHEĺLIBERALĺSIXTIESĺMIGHTĺ üNALLYĺBEĺEXPUNGEDĺFROMĺNATIONALĺMEMORYlĺ4HOMPSONĺĺ  ĺ2EAGANĺIMPLIEDĺSUCHĺAĺTURNAROUNDĺINĺHISĺPHYSICALĺSTATUREĺ ASĺMUCHĺASĺHISĺIDEOLOGY ĺPOLICIESĺANDĺPERSONALĺHISTORYĺ7ITHĺ WISENEDĺGOODĺLOOKS ĺTHICK ĺIMMACULATELYĺGROOMEDĺHAIRĺANDĺAĺ CONüDENTĺWHITEĺSMILE ĺALLĺSETĺATOPĺAĺDARK ĺBROAD SHOULDERED ĺ CONSERVATIVELYĺ TAILOREDĺ TWO PIECEĺ SUIT ĺ HEĺ CONVEYEDĺ ANĺ IM AGEĺOFĺENTREPRENEURIALĺMASCULINITYĺpĺSTRONG ĺWEALTHY ĺPATRIAR CHAL ĺCAPABLEĺOFĺGUIDINGĺTHEĺNATIONĺTOĺUTOPIAĺ3OMETIMESĺHEĺ SWAPPEDĺ THEĺ SUITĺ FORĺ JEANS ĺ Aĺ DENIMĺ SHIRT ĺ COWBOYĺ HATĺ ANDĺ BOOTS ĺ Aĺ FASHIONĺ STATEMENTĺ THATĺ CONNECTEDĺ HIMĺ MOREĺ INTI MATELYĺ WITHĺ!MERICANĺ HISTORYĺ ANDĺ THEĺ WILDERNESSĺ THATĺ MENĺ DRESSEDĺLIKEĺHIMĺCOLONISEDĺANDĺkCONQUEREDl (OLLYWOODĺSTARDOMĺFURTHERĺREIüEDĺ2EAGANlSĺ!MERICAN MADEĺ IMAGEĺ"EGINNINGĺINĺTHEĺLATEĺS ĺHEĺAPPEAREDĺINĺSCORESĺOFĺ üLMSĺANDĺTELEVISIONĺSHOWSĺBEFOREĺTURNINGĺTOĺPOLITICSĺANDĺBE COMINGĺGOVERNORĺOFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺINĺĺ!SĺAĺCHILDĺWATCHINGĺHISĺ 3TATEĺ OFĺ THEĺ 5NIONĺ ADDRESSESĺ pĺ ORĺ RATHER ĺ WATCHINGĺ MYĺ PAR ENTSĺ WATCHĺ THEĺ ADDRESSESĺ pĺ )ĺ KNEWĺ HEĺ HADĺ BEENĺ Aĺ FAMOUSĺ ACTORĺ"UTĺMYĺONLYĺFRAMEĺOFĺREFERENCEĺWASĺ"EDTIMEĺFORĺ"ONZOĺ  ĺAĺCOMEDYĺWHEREĺ2EAGANlSĺCHARACTERĺATTEMPTSĺTOĺEDU CATEĺAĺCHIMPANZEEĺUSINGĺSĺCHILD REARINGĺMETHODSĺINĺORDERĺ TOĺPROVEĺTHATĺNURTURE ĺNOTĺNATURE ĺISĺWHATĺCONSTRUCTSĺIDENTITYĺ)ĺ DONlTĺRECALLĺSEEINGĺTHEĺüLMĺ)ĺHAVEĺVIVIDĺMEMORIESĺOFĺMEDIAĺIM AGERYĺFEATURINGĺ2EAGANĺWITHĺAĺMONKEY ĺIMAGERYĺTHATĺMAYĺHAVEĺ BEENĺCIRCULATEDĺBYĺDEMOCRATSĺINĺORDERĺTOĺUNDERMINEĺHIM ĺORĺ ATĺLEASTĺMAKEĺHIMĺLOOKĺFUNNY ĺDURINGĺHISĺTWOĺPRESIDENTIALĺCAM PAIGNSĺ .OTWITHSTANDINGĺ "EDTIMEĺ FORĺ "ONZO ĺ THEĺ ACTOR CUM POLITICIANlSĺCELEBRITYĺSTATUSĺENHANCEDĺHISĺAPPEAL ĺFUELLEDĺBYĺTHEĺ PATHOLOGICALĺRIGORĺOFĺ!MERICANĺIMAGE CULTUREĺk2EAGANlSĺPRESI 9

CULT O GRA PHIES

DENCYĺ;WAS=ĺTHEĺNATURALĺPOLITICALĺCOUNTERPARTĺTOĺANĺEIGHTIESĺCUL TUREĺDRIVEN ĺANDĺDOMINATED ĺBYĺTHEĺPRODUCTIONĺANDĺCIRCULATIONĺ OFĺTHEĺIMAGElĺ4HOMPSONĺĺp ĺ2EAGANlSĺkCELEBRIDENCYlĺ WASĺADVANCEDĺEVENĺMOREĺBYĺkAĺUSEĺOFĺCINEMATICĺREFERENCESĺ ANDĺCLICHÀSĺINĺORDERĺTOĺSECUREĺHISĺPOLITICALĺLEGITIMACYlĺ4HOMP SONĺĺ ĺpĺAĺCURIOUSĺCASEĺOFĺRHETORICĺCONSTITUTINGĺIMAGE 4HEĺ PRESIDENTlSĺ RELIGIOUSĺ BELIEFSĺ COINCIDEDĺ WITHĺ HISĺ ECO NOMICĺPOLICIESĺ"OURGEOIS ĺ#HRISTIAN ĺWHITE ĺRIGHT WINGĺANDĺRE PUBLICANĺpĺMUCHĺLIKEĺ'EORGEĺ7ĺ"USHĺINĺTHEĺSĺpĺ2EAGANĺ FAVOUREDĺTHEĺRICH ĺAFüLIATEDĺHIMSELFĺWITHĺNEO #HRISTIANĺMORAL ITYĺANDĺPITTEDĺ!MERICAĺAGAINSTĺAĺFOREIGNĺNEMESIS ĺCULTIVATINGĺ THEĺNOTIONĺTHATĺTHEĺNEMESISĺWOULDĺSOONĺINFECTĺANDĺANNIHILATEĺ !MERICAĺIDEOLOGICALLY ĺECONOMICALLYĺANDĺACTUALLYĺ4AKINGĺALLĺOFĺ THESEĺ FACTORSĺ INTOĺ CONSIDERATION ĺ THEĺ ANALOGYĺ BETWEENĺ 2EA GANISMĺANDĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺOVERTĺANDĺRESOLUTEĺWITHOUTĺTHISĺPRES IDENT ĺ)ĺSERIOUSLYĺDOUBTĺTHEĺüLMĺEVERĺWOULDĺHAVEĺBEENĺMADE ĺ ATĺLEASTĺINĺITSĺCURRENTĺFORMĺASĺAĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺCLASSĺDIVISIONSĺANDĺ CAPITALISTĺ POWERĺ )Fĺ NOTHINGĺ ELSE ĺ THEĺ ALIENSĺ REPRESENTĺ WHATĺ +ENNETHĺ*URKIEWICZĺHASĺREFERREDĺTOĺASĺkTHEĺIMPLACABLEĺFORCESĺ OFĺRAMPANT ĺMERCILESSĺ2EAGANOMICSlĺĺ ĺ7HILEĺTHISĺISĺ PERHAPSĺTHEĺMOSTĺIMPORTANTĺCULTURALĺSIGNIüERĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺTHEĺ SĺREČECTSĺAĺMUCHĺWIDERĺSPECTRUMĺOFĺINČUENCE

BIG HAIR )Nĺ THEĺ TWENTY üRSTĺ CENTURY ĺ THEĺ PHENOMENONĺ OFĺ "IGĺ (AIRĺ ISĺ OFTENĺ kBLAMEDlĺ ONĺ THEĺ Sĺ "UTĺ ITĺ HASĺ RECURREDĺ ASĺ ANĺ IN TOXICATINGĺVOGUEĺFORĺCENTURIESĺ#ONSIDERĺTHEĺFASHIONĺCRAZEĺINĺ THEĺSEVENTEENTHĺCENTURYĺSPARKEDĺBYĺ,OUISĺ8)6ĺOFĺ&RANCE ĺWHOĺ BEGANĺ TOĺ WEARĺ LOUD ĺ LAVISHĺ WIGSĺ TOĺ CONCEALĺ THEĺ SPECTREĺ OFĺ IMPENDINGĺBALDNESSĺSEEĺ+WASSĺĺ ĺ)NĺTHEĺNEXTĺCEN TURY ĺ&RENCHĺMAÅTRESSE EN TITREĺ-ADAMEĺDEĺ0OMPADOURĺGAVEĺ LIFEĺTOĺTHEĺNOTORIOUSLYĺTALLĺHAIRDOĺOFĺTHEĺSAMEĺNAMEĺ!NDĺLATER ĺ INĺTHEĺNINETEENTHĺCENTURY ĺ!MERICANĺFREAKSHOWĺMAGNATEĺ0ĺ4ĺ 10

T HEY LIVE

Los Angeles hair metal band Nitro outfitted in signature Jurassic bouffants.

"ARNUMĺTURNEDĺ"IGĺ(AIRĺINTOĺLITERALĺSPECTACLEĺWITHĺHISĺk#IRCAS SIANĺ"EAUTIESl ĺORIENTALISEDĺWOMENĺMADEĺTOĺLOOKĺFOREIGNĺANDĺ EXOTICĺBYĺČAUNTINGĺGREATĺWIGSĺSEEĺ4HOMSONĺĺp ĺ "IGĺ(AIRĺHOLDSĺAĺPRIVILEGEDĺPOSITIONĺINĺPOSTMODERNĺMEMORY ĺ HOWEVER ĺANDĺUNLIKEĺTHESEĺLOCALISEDĺEXAMPLES ĺITSĺTHOROUGH BREDĺ EMERGENCEĺ INĺ THEĺ Sĺ DENOTESĺ Aĺ WIDESPREADĺ SOCIALĺ ANDĺ CULTURALĺ FORMATIONĺ &ORĺ ME ĺ ITĺ SYMBOLISESĺ THEĺ COLOURFULĺ MODESĺOFĺEXCESSĺANDĺABANDONĺTHATĺDISTINGUISHEDĺTHEĺPERIOD ĺ RANGINGĺ FROMĺ 2EAGANlSĺ SOCIOECONOMICĺ POLICIESĺ TO ĺ SAY ĺ THEĺ ANTICSĺ OFĺ ROCKSTARSĺ ANDĺ ROCKSTARĺ WANNABES ĺ ASĺ DEPICTEDĺ INĺ 4HEĺ $ECLINEĺ OFĺ7ESTERNĺ #IVILIZATION ĺ 0ARTĺ ))ĺ4HEĺ -ETALĺ9EARSĺ  ĺ3HOTĺBETWEENĺĺANDĺĺBYĺ0ENELOPEĺ3PHEERISĺ ANDĺRELEASEDĺTHEĺSAMEĺYEARĺASĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺ"IGĺ(AIRĺABOUNDSĺINĺ THISĺDOCUMENTARYĺOFĺTHEĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺGLAM ROCKĺSCENEĺANDĺITSĺ CULTUREĺOFĺRECKLESSĺSUBSTANCEĺABUSE ĺIDIOTICĺDELUSIONSĺOFĺGRAN DEUR ĺ ANDĺ RAMPANTĺ EGOMANIAĺ ANDĺ SQUANDERINGĺ /Fĺ COURSE ĺ SUCHĺBEHAVIOURĺpĺANDĺTHEĺHAIRĺTHATĺSIGNIüEDĺITĺpĺWASĺNOTĺLIM ITEDĺTOĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺ.ORĺWASĺITĺLIMITEDĺTOĺMUSICĺSCENES

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CULT O GRA PHIES

THEĺ S ĺ k53ĺ STOCKĺ TRADINGĺ WASĺ INĺ Aĺ STATEĺ OFĺ DEPRESSIONlĺ YETĺkBETWEENĺĺANDĺ ĺ ĺMERGERĺANDĺACQUISITIONĺ DEALSĺ WEREĺ COMPLETED ĺ WORTHĺ Aĺ TOTALĺ OFĺ ĺ TRILLIONlĺ 4HOMP SONĺĺ ĺ ĺ4RULYĺTHISĺPHASEĺISĺENFRAMEDĺBYĺTHEĺGUID INGĺ PROVERBĺ OFĺ ARBITRAGEURĺ 'ORDONĺ 'ECKOĺ INĺ /LIVERĺ 3TONElSĺ 7ALLĺ3TREETĺ ĺk'REEDĺISĺGOODlĺ"UTĺRESERVOIRSĺCANĺONLYĺ HOLDĺ SOĺ MUCHĺ WATER ĺ ANDĺ EVENTUALLYĺ THEYĺ GOĺ DRYĺ !ĺ HEARTYĺ DISAVOWALĺ OFĺ REALITYĺ THUSĺ AUTHORISEDĺ THEĺ üSCALĺ LIFEĺ OFĺ Sĺ !MERICA ĺPARTICULARLYĺAMONGĺTHEĺWEALTHY ĺWHOĺWEREĺEMPOW EREDDELUDEDĺ BYĺ 2EAGANlSĺ kNO HOLDS BARREDĺ FORMĺ OFĺ CAPITAL ISMlĺ "OOZERĺ ĺ  ĺ4HISĺ MINDSETĺ LEDĺ TOĺ Aĺ NUMBERĺ OFĺ ECONOMICĺWOESĺ)NČATIONĺSPIKEDĺEARLYĺINĺTHEĺDECADE ĺSETTINGĺ THEĺSCENEĺFORĺTHEĺSAVINGSĺANDĺLOANĺSCANDALĺANDĺANĺENGORGINGĺ NATIONALĺDEBT ĺBOTHĺOFĺWHICHĺREACHEDĺAĺCLIMAXĺATĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺ THEĺDECADEĺ4HESEĺINSTANCESĺOFĺPECUNIARYĺ"IGĺ(AIRĺWIDENEDĺ THEĺ GAPĺ BETWEENĺ RICHĺ ANDĺ POOR ĺ INCITINGĺ Aĺ KINDĺ OFĺ -ARXISTĺ SENTIMENTĺINĺTHEĺLATTERĺ4HISĺSENTIMENTĺMANIFESTSĺPALPABLYĺINĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ4HEĺ üLMĺ ENDORSESĺ THEĺ CALL TO ARMSĺ OFĺ THEĺ k#OM MUNISTĺ-ANIFESTOlĺPROLETARIANSĺMUSTĺRISEĺAGAINSTĺANDĺQUASHĺ THEIRĺBOURGEOISĺMASTERSĺWITHĺANĺEYEĺTOĺACCOMPLISHINGĺCLASSĺ EQUALITYĺINĺTHEĺNOT TOO DISTANTĺFUTUREĺ6IOLENCEĺPAVESĺTHEĺWAYĺ TOĺCLASSĺEQUALITY .ADAĺISĺAĺSYMBOLICĺPROLEĺWHO ĺINĺTHEĺEND ĺUSESĺVIOLENCEĺTOĺ SINGLE HANDEDLYĺOVERTHROWĺTHEĺALIENĺBOURGEOISĺCAPITALISTSĺBYĺ EXPOSINGĺTHEMĺFORĺWHATĺTHEYĺAREĺ-OREĺSPECIüCALLY ĺHEĺUSESĺ THEĺ FORCEĺ OFĺ HISĺ MASCULINEĺ BODYĺ TOĺ EXPOSEĺ THEIRĺ GROTESQUE ĺ INHUMANĺ BODIESĺ ANDĺ INCITEĺ MASSĺ HATREDĺ FORĺ THEMĺ )DEOLOGYĺ STEMSĺFROMĺTHEĺČESH

MASCULINITY AND THE BODY "IGĺ(AIRĺISĺAĺTELLINGĺEXTENSIONĺOFĺTHEĺBODYĺ!NĺEVENĺMOREĺRESO NANTĺ SYMBOLĺ FORĺ THISĺ SORTĺ OFĺ CULTURALĺ HYPERBOLEĺ ISĺ THEĺ BODYĺ ITSELF ĺESPECIALLYĺINĺMEDIAĺREPRESENTATIONĺANDĺCINEMA ĺWHEREĺ 12

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ANĺ EXCESSIVEĺ MASCULINITYĺ RAPIDLYĺ CAMEĺ TOĺ PROMINENCEĺ !NYĺ FORMĺOFĺEXCESSĺPRODUCEDĺBYĺTHEĺHUMANĺSUBJECTĺISĺAĺCOMPEN SATORYĺ EFFECTĺ OFĺ SOMEĺ TRAUMATICĺ KERNELĺ WHENĺ THREATENED ĺ MASCULINITYĺ BUCKSĺ ANDĺ ČARES ĺ VYINGĺ TOĺ REASSERTĺ POWERĺ ANDĺ CONTROLĺ INĺ THEĺ SOCIALĺ MATRIXĺ #ONSTANCEĺ 0ENLEYĺ ANDĺ 3HARONĺ 7ILLISĺ ARGUEĺ THATĺ MASCULINITYĺ ISĺ kBOTHĺ THEORETICALLYĺ ANDĺ HIS TORICALLYĺ TROUBLEDl ĺ ANDĺ INĺ THEĺ S ĺ kUNDERĺ THEĺ PRESSUREĺ OFĺ FEMINISMĺANDĺGAYĺPOLITICS ĺANDĺASĺAĺRESULTĺOFĺTHEĺDEMANDSĺOFĺ ADVANCEDĺ CAPITALISMĺ FORĺ NEWĺ KINDSĺ OFĺ WORKERS ĺ MENĺ ;WERE=ĺ BEINGĺ ASKEDĺ TOĺ RESPONDĺ ASĺ MENĺ INĺ NEWĺ ANDĺ DIFFERENTĺ WAYSlĺ ĺp ĺ#OUPLEDĺWITHĺTHEĺIMMINENTĺTHREATĺOFĺ3OVIETĺTAKE OVERĺ ANDĺ NUCLEARĺ DISASTER ĺ THESEĺ CRISESĺ OFĺ CLASSĺ ANDĺ GENDERĺ SPAWNEDĺNEWĺMODESĺOFĺACTIONĺANDĺREPRESENTATIONĺFORĺMALE NESS ĺMODESĺTHATĺTOOKĺSHAPEĺONĺTHEĺGROWINGĺVARIETYĺOFĺDATAĺ SCREENSĺTHATĺINCREASINGLYĺDEüNEDĺTHEĺDAILYĺLIVESĺOFĺURBANĺANDĺ SUBURBANĺ!MERICANS )NĺCINEMA ĺTHEĺEPITOMEĺOFĺTHEĺÓBERMASCULINISEDĺBODYĺSUR FACEDĺINĺTHEĺAUDACIOUSLYĺMUSCLEDĺACTIONĺHEROESĺPORTRAYEDĺBYĺ !RNOLDĺ3CHWARZENEGGERĺANDĺ3YLVESTERĺ3TALLONE ĺMOVIEĺSTARSĺ WHOĺ DOMINATEDĺ THEĺ (OLLYWOODĺ BLOCKBUSTERĺ MARKETĺ 0RIORĺ TOĺ BECOMINGĺANĺACTOR ĺ3CHWARZENEGGERĺALMOSTĺSINGLE HANDEDLYĺ POPULARISEDĺTHEĺSPORTĺOFĺBODYBUILDINGĺTHEĺCULMINATIONĺOFĺHISĺ RISEĺTOĺFAMEĺCANĺBEĺSEENĺINĺ0UMPINGĺ)RONĺ ĺAĺDOCUMEN TARYĺ OFĺ THEĺ ĺ -Rĺ /LYMPIAĺ ANDĺ -Rĺ 5NIVERSEĺ CONTESTSĺ 4HEREAFTERĺHEĺTURNEDĺTOĺACTING ĺANDĺJUSTĺAĺFEWĺYEARSĺLATER ĺHEĺ COMMANDEDĺTHEĺSCIENCEĺüCTIONĺANDĺFANTASYĺGENRESĺWITHĺüLMSĺ LIKEĺ#ONANĺTHEĺ"ARBARIANĺ ĺ4HEĺ4ERMINATORĺ ĺ0REDA TORĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ2UNNINGĺ-ANĺ ĺ3TALLONEĺAPPEAREDĺINĺ ACTION PACKEDĺCOP ĺWARĺANDĺBOXINGĺDRAMAS ĺMOSTĺPROMINENT LYĺ THEĺ 2AMBOĺ ANDĺ 2OCKYĺ FRANCHISESĺ4HEĺ RELIGIOUSLYĺ GLOSSY ĺ OVERINČATED ĺSUPERSCULPTEDĺPHYSIQUESĺOFĺEACHĺACTORĺBECAMEĺ FETISHISTICĺOBJECTSĺOFĺDESIREĺpĺIRONICĺSILAGEĺFORĺTHEĺMALEĺGAZE ĺ WHICHĺ HADĺ FORMERLYĺ EROTICISEDĺ THEĺ FEMALEĺ CINEMATICĺ BODYĺ "RIANĺ#ALDWELLĺWRITES 13

CULT O GRA PHIES

Rock-hard insignias of Hope under the threat of phallic apocalypse.

3CHWARZENEGGERlSĺ BODYĺ HASĺ aĺ BEENĺ DESCRIBEDĺ BYĺ ONEĺ CRITICĺ ASĺ kAĺ CONDOMĺ STUFFEDĺ WITHĺ WALNUTSl ĺ WHEREASĺ 3TALLONEĺ aĺ HASĺ BEENĺ REFERREDĺ TOĺ ASĺ &ENIMOREĺ #OOPERlSĺ kLEATHERSTOCKINGĺONĺSTEROIDSlĺ-OREĺSIGNIüCANTLYĺINĺTERMSĺ OFĺüLMICĺREPRESENTATION ĺ'AYLYNĺ3TUDLARĺANDĺ$AVIDĺ$ESSERĺ REFERĺTOĺ3TALLONElSĺkGLISTENINGĺHYPERMASCULINITYlĺASĺ*OHNĺ 2AMBOĺANDĺNOTEĺHOWĺTHISĺkEMPHASIZEDĺINĺTHEĺKINDĺOFĺLAN GUIDĺCAMERAĺMOVEMENTSĺANDĺFETISHIZINGĺCLOSE UPĺUSUALLYĺ RESERVEDĺFORĺkFEMALEĺČASHDANCERSlĺĺ )Nĺ THISĺ ERAĺ OFĺ "IGĺ (AIR ĺ "IGĺ -ONEYĺ AND ĺ ULTIMATELY ĺ "IGĺ &EARĺ ANDĺ 0ARANOIA ĺ THEĺ MALEĺ GAZEĺ TURNEDĺ INWARD ĺ ONTOĺ THEĺ MALEĺ FORM ĺJACKINGĺITĺINTOĺPHALLICĺSPECTACLEĺ$ESIREĺSHIFTEDĺFROMĺTHEĺ SUMPTUOUSĺFEMININEĺASĺEXHIBITEDĺBYĺACTRESSESĺSUCHĺASĺ"RI GITTEĺ "ARDOT ĺ .ATALIEĺ7OODĺ ANDĺ &ARRAHĺ &AWCETT ĺ TOĺ THEĺ 3TAL 14

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LONE3CHWARZENEGGERĺMONSTER HEROĺpĺMONSTROUSĺBECAUSEĺOFĺ ITSĺHYPERREALĺSTATUREĺMADEĺPOSSIBLEĺBYĺANABOLICĺSTEROIDSĺANDĺ HUMANĺGROWTHĺHORMONES ĺHEROICĺBECAUSEĺOFĺITSĺINČICTIONĺOFĺ VIOLENCEĺUPONĺTERRORISTĺFORCES "Yĺ WAYĺ OFĺ IMAGEĺ ANDĺ BRUTALITY ĺ 3TALLONE3CHWARZENEGGERĺ ASSUAGEDĺ Aĺ NATIONALĺ ANXIETYĺ INCITEDĺ BYĺ 2EAGANlSĺ #OLDĺ 7ARĺ !MERICAĺ2OCKYĺ)6ĺ ĺEMBOLDENSĺTHISĺDYNAMICĺ3HOTĺMID WAYĺ THROUGHĺ 2EAGANlSĺ PRESIDENTIALĺ CAREERĺ DURINGĺ THEĺ HEIGHTĺ OFĺ THEĺ #OLDĺ7AR ĺ THEĺ üLMĺ TELLSĺ Aĺ CLEAR CUTĺ TALEĺ OFĺ GOODĺ ANDĺ EVILĺ3TALLONE 2OCKYĺREPRESENTSĺTHEĺADAMANT ĺUNSHAKABLEĺANDĺ MORALĺIFĺDULL WITTED ĺ!MERICANĺSUBJECTĺ%QUALLYĺMUSCLEDĺANDĺ GLEAMINGĺINĺTHEĺRING ĺ$OLPHĺ,UNDGRENĺPLAYSĺ)VANĺ$RAGO ĺMETA PHORĺ FORĺ THEĺ MACHINIC ĺ SOULLESS ĺ /RWELLIANĺ 2USSIANĺ SUBJECTĺ !NYĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺ2EAGANISMĺISĺVEILEDĺATĺBESTĺTHEĺSIMPLISTICĺNAR RATIVEĺFAILSĺTOĺPROBLEMATISEĺEITHERĺHALFĺOFĺTHEĺGOODEVILĺBINARYĺ 3TILL ĺTHEĺüLMĺSERVESĺITSĺPURPOSEĺNOTĺONLYĺDOESĺ2OCKYĺDEFEATĺ $RAGOĺINĺTHEĺCLIMACTICĺMATCHĺHELDĺINĺ-OSCOW ĺTHEĺ2USSIANSĺ AREĺWOOEDĺBYĺHISĺMETTLEĺANDĺGRIT ĺANDĺBEFOREĺHEĺKNOCKSĺ$RAGOĺ OUT ĺTHEYĺSTARTĺCHANTINGĺHISĺNAMEĺ2OCKYĺ)6ĺCULMINATESĺWITHĺAĺ SHORTĺMOTIVATIONALĺSPEECHĺBYĺTHEĺWINNERĺINĺWHICHĺHEĺIMPLORESĺ EVERYBODYĺTOĺGETĺALONG ĺSAYING ĺk)Fĺ)ĺCANĺCHANGE ĺANDĺYOUĺCANĺ CHANGEĺ pĺ EVERYBODYĺ CANĺ CHANGElĺ4HEĺ üLMĺ DISPELSĺ THEĺ #OLDĺ 7ARĺWITHĺBLOCKHEADEDĺPOLITICSĺaĺBUTĺITĺDISPELSĺNONETHELESS 7HILEĺNOTĺASĺCHISELLED ĺOILED ĺANDĺHYPERREALĺASĺTHEĺBENCH MARKĺ 3TALLONE3CHWARZENEGGER ĺ 2ODDYĺ 0IPERlSĺ BODY IMAGEĺ STANDSĺ OUTĺ INĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ LEAN ĺ HARDĺ ANDĺ DONNINGĺ Aĺ MULLETĺ HAIRDOĺREMINISCENTĺOFĺ3TALLONE 2AMBO ĺHEĺSIGNIüESĺTHEĺMAS CULINEĺ SPECTACLEĺ ANDĺ DESIREĺ OFĺ THEĺ Sĺ7HETHERĺ #ARPEN TERĺ INTENDEDĺ ITĺ ORĺ NOTĺ pĺ ALTHOUGHĺ HEĺ PROBABLYĺ DID ĺ GIVENĺ HISĺ PENCHANTĺFORĺSATIREĺANDĺBURLESQUEĺpĺ0IPER .ADAĺEXTRAPOLATESĺ 3TALLONE3CHWARZENEGGER ĺ PARODYINGĺ THEIRĺ ROUGHNECKĺ PERSO NASĺANDĺCRITIQUINGĺTHEMĺASĺSITESĺOFĺPOWERĺANDĺAGENCYĺ#ON SEQUENTLYĺ0IPER .ADAĺISĺAĺSIMULACRA ĺAĺCOPYĺOFĺAĺCOPYĺpĺWHATĺ *EANĺ"AUDRILLARDĺWOULDĺCALLĺTHEĺkDESERTĺOFĺTHEĺREALĺITSELFl ĺCASTĺ 15

CULT O GRA PHIES

INĺTHEĺMOULDĺOFĺOURĺMEDIATISEDĺANDĺIMAGE OBSESSEDĺDESIRESĺ ĺ ĺ4HISĺREFERENCEĺISĺAPTĺ"AUDRILLARDĺACHIEVEDĺCULTĺSTA TUSĺ INĺ THEĺ S ĺ THEORIZINGĺ POSTMODERNĺ CONSUMER CULTUREĺ ANDĺTHEĺECLIPSEĺOFĺTHEĺSELFĺBYĺTHEĺTECHNOCAPITALISTĺSIGN 5NLIKEĺ3TALLONE3CHWARZENEGGERlSĺüLMSĺpĺWITHĺTHEĺEXCEP TION ĺPERHAPS ĺOFĺTHEĺONTOLOGICALLYĺANDĺMETAPHYSICALLYĺPLAYFULĺ 4OTALĺ2ECALLĺ ĺpĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺPUTSĺHEAVYĺEMPHASISĺONĺTHEĺ HYPERREALĺNATUREĺOFĺ0IPER .ADAĺANDĺTHEĺWORLDS ĺTHATĺHEĺINHAB ITSĺ!NDĺUNLIKEĺ2OCKYĺ)6 ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺCRITIQUESĺ2EAGANISMĺWITHĺ EXTREMEĺ PREJUDICEĺ4HISĺ CRITIQUEĺ ISĺ IMPORTANTĺ TOĺ THEĺ "AUDRIL LARDIANĺ ARCĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLMĺ INĺ THATĺ 2EAGANĺ HIMSELFĺ BECOMESĺ YETĺ ANOTHERĺINSTANCEĺOFĺHYPERREALITY ĺASĺ-IKEĺ$UBOSEĺSUGGESTSĺ k2EAGANlSĺ RENEGADECOWBOYĺ IMAGEĺ EFFECTIVELYĺ BLURSĺ THEĺ REALĺ POLITICALĺRELATIONSHIPĺBETWEENĺCENTRALĺAUTHORITY ĺMORALITY ĺANDĺ MAINSTREAMĺVALUESĺNOTĺJUSTĺFORĺTHEĺPRESIDENTĺBUTĺFORĺ2EAGAN ISMĺINĺGENERALlĺĺ 

BLOCKBUSTERS 2EAGANlSĺHYPERREALĺMEDIA IMAGEĺOPERATEDĺINĺAĺSIMILARĺWAYĺTOĺ THEĺMEDIA IMAGESĺOFĺ3TALLONE3CHWARZENEGGERĺANĺINSTANCEĺ OFĺ COMPENSATORYĺ EXCESSĺ THATĺ PLACATEDĺ MALEĺ ANXIETYĺ UNDERĺ THEĺAEGISĺOFĺPROSPECTIVEĺDOOMĺ4HESEĺCINEMATICĺBODIESĺGES TUREDĺ TOWARDSĺ Aĺ VIABLEĺ AGENCYĺ7ITHĺ THEĺ BLOCKBUSTERĺ üLM ĺ EXCESSĺ TOOKĺ THEĺ FORMĺ OFĺ CINEMAĺ ITSELF ĺ FURTHERĺ REIFYINGĺ THEĺ SOCIAL ĺ CULTURALĺ ANDĺ ECONOMICĺ ABANDONĺ OFĺ THEĺ ERAĺ!ĺ REPRE SENTATIONĺPARĺEXCELLENCEĺOFĺTHEĺEXCESSĺTHATĺ)ĺHAVEĺDISCUSSEDĺ UPĺTOĺTHISĺPOINT ĺTHEĺBLOCKBUSTERĺCULLSĺTOGETHERĺPATHOLOGIESĺ ANDĺ OBSESSIONSĺ WITHĺ BODY IMAGE ĺ CAPITALĺ ANDĺ MEDIAĺ TECH NOLOGIES )NĺTHEĺABSTRACT ĺBLOCKBUSTERĺüLMSĺEXHIBITĺTHREEĺ"IGĺFEATURESĺ PRODUCTIONĺBUDGETS ĺSPECIALĺEFFECTSĺANDĺBOXĺOFüCEĺRETURNSĺ)Nĺ "LOCKBUSTERĺ(OWĺ(OLLYWOODĺ,EARNEDĺTOĺ3TOPĺ7ORRYINGĺANDĺ ,OVEĺ THEĺ 3UMMERĺ  ĺ Aĺ REFERENCEĺ TOĺ 3TANLEYĺ +UBRICKlSĺ 16

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üLMĺ$Rĺ3TRANGELOVE ĺOR ĺ(OWĺ)ĺ,EARNEDĺTOĺ3TOPĺ7ORRYINGĺANDĺ ,OVEĺTHEĺ"OMBĺ ĺ4OMĺ3HONEĺWRITES /NCEĺ Aĺ PURELYĺ ECONOMICĺ TERM ĺ WITHĺ NOĺ GENERICĺ PREFER ENCE ĺITĺWASĺCONFERREDĺSOLELYĺBYĺAĺMOVIElSĺBOXĺOFüCEĺRE TURNSĺpĺAND ĺBYĺDEFAULT ĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺ4HUSĺ4HEĺ3OUNDĺOFĺ -USICĺ WASĺ Aĺ BLOCKBUSTERĺ ;ASĺ WAS=ĺ &IDDLERĺ ONĺ THEĺ 2OOFĺ ANDĺ+RAMERĺVSĺ+RAMERĺ4ODAY ĺITĺHASĺpĺTOĺPARAPHRASEĺ*ULIEĺ !NDREWSĺ pĺ BECOMEĺ THEĺ NAMEĺ Aĺ MOVIEĺ CALLSĺ ITSELF ĺ BE FOREĺITĺISĺEVENĺOUTĺOFĺTHEĺGATEĺaĺ.OW ĺITĺSIGNIüESĺAĺTYPEĺ OFĺ MOVIEĺ NOTĺ QUITEĺ Aĺ GENRE ĺ BUTĺ ALMOSTĺ OFTENĺ SCIENCEĺ üCTIONĺBUTĺNOTĺNECESSARILYĺSOMETHINGĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺACTIONĺ MOVIESĺALTHOUGHĺNOTĺALWAYSĺĺ 3HONEĺ LOCATESĺ THEĺ ORIGINSĺ OFĺ THEĺ MULTIFACETEDĺ IFĺ GENERICAL LYĺ VAGUE ĺ BLOCKBUSTERĺ INĺ THEĺ üLMSĺ OFĺ 3TEVENĺ 3PEILBERGĺ ANDĺ 'EORGEĺ ,UCAS ĺ NAMELYĺ *AWSĺ  ĺ ANDĺ 3TARĺ 7ARSĺ  ĺ ALTHOUGHĺ THEIRĺ WORKĺ INĺ THEĺ Sĺ SOLIDIüEDĺ THEĺ FORMĺ 0REVI OUSĺCRITICSĺDENOUNCEĺTHEĺüLMMAKERSĺFORĺDUMBINGĺDOWNĺTHEĺ MOVIEĺ INDUSTRYĺ 3HONEĺ FOCUSESĺ ONĺ THEĺ WAYSĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEYĺ INNOVATEDĺANDĺREVOLUTIONISEDĺTHEĺINDUSTRYĺ)TlSĺIMPOSSIBLEĺTOĺ DENYĺTHEĺBOYISHĺAPPEALĺOFĺSUCHĺkHIGHĺCONCEPTlĺFAREĺEXEMPLI üEDĺ BYĺ kSTYLISHĺ ANDĺ SLICKĺ PRODUCTIONĺ QUALITIESlĺ ANDĺ kSTRAIGHT FORWARDĺ ANDĺ EASILYĺ CATEGORIZEDĺ CHARACTERSĺ ANDĺ FAMILIARĺ PLOTSĺ THATĺ COULDĺ BEĺ DESCRIBEDĺ BRIEČYlĺ 4HOMPSONĺ ĺ  ĺ4HISĺ WASĺ Aĺ MOMENTOUSĺ SHIFTĺ FROMĺ THEĺ AUTEURĺ üLMMAKINGĺ OFĺ THEĺ SĺpĺkSCRAPPY ĺAĺLITTLEĺRAGGED ĺOPEN ENDED ĺIRONIC ĺAMBIGU OUS ĺ OFTENĺ DESPAIRINGlĺ 0RINCEĺ ĺ  ĺ pĺ EVENĺ IFĺ THEĺ Sĺ DIDĺNOTĺFORSAKEĺAUTEURISMĺALTOGETHERĺ"UTĺSUPERüCIALĺGLITZĺSIG NIüCANTLYĺ DISPLACEDĺ NARRATIVEĺ DEPTHĺ 'UYĺ $EBORDlSĺ THEORYĺ OFĺ THEĺ SPECTACLEĺ ASĺ kAĺ SOCIALĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ BETWEENĺ PEOPLEĺ THATĺ ISĺMEDIATEDĺBYĺIMAGESlĺĺ ĺPOWERFULLYĺRESOUNDSĺINĺTHEĺ BLOCKBUSTERĺ "LOCKBUSTERSĺ NOTĺ ONLYĺ CHANGEDĺ MOVIESĺ THEYĺ CHANGEDĺTHEĺWAYĺWEĺTHINKĺABOUTĺMOVIESĺASĺREPRESENTATIONS ĺ 17

CULT O GRA PHIES

ANDĺOURĺRELATIONSHIPĺTOĺMOVIESĺASĺREPRESENTEDĺSUBJECTS ĺ0UTĺ DIFFERENTLY ĺTHEYĺTAUGHTĺUSĺNOTĺTOĺTHINK ĺBUTĺRATHERĺTOĺSITĺBACKĺ ANDĺLETĺMOVIESĺDOĺOURĺTHINKINGĺFORĺUSĺk)NĺGENERAL ĺüLMĺINĺTHEĺ SĺWASĺLESSĺPOLITICIZEDĺFROMĺANĺOPPOSITIONAL ĺEVENĺRADICAL ĺ PERSPECTIVE ĺANDĺITSĺSTYLEĺWASĺLUSHER ĺGLOSSIER ĺANDĺMUCHĺLESSĺ IRONICĺANDĺAMBIGUOUSĺTHANĺITĺHADĺBEENĺINĺTHEĺLATEĺSĺANDĺ EARLYĺSlĺ0RINCEĺĺ 

THE IMPLODED AUTEUR )NĺTHEĺPOPULARĺIMAGINATION ĺTHEĺAUTEURĺISĺANĺAVANT GARDEĺüLM MAKER ĺ LOOSELYĺ SPEAKINGĺ pĺ ANĺ ARTISTEĺ OFĺ CELLULOIDĺ pĺ ANĺ ELITIST ĺ UNCONVENTIONAL ĺ SUBVERSIVE ĺ UNCOMPROMISINGĺ VISIONARYĺ4HISĺ DEPICTIONĺCERTAINLYĺAPPLIESĺTOĺSOMEĺüLMMAKERSĺ2OBERTĺ#UM BOWĺREMINDSĺUSĺTHATĺTHEĺAUTEURĺTHEORYĺkWASĺNEVERĺAĺTHEORYĺ ATĺALLĺBUTĺMERELYĺAĺPOLICYĺDEüNINGĺTHEĺAPPROACHĺOFĺCERTAINĺüLMĺ CRITICSlĺĺ ĺ(ENCEĺTHEĺAUTEURĺISĺTHEĺAUTEURĺBECAUSEĺTHEĺ üLMĺCRITICĺSAYSĺSOĺpĺUNLIKE ĺINCIDENTALLY ĺTHEĺCULTĺüLMSĺPRODUCEDĺ BYĺ MANYĺ SO CALLEDĺ AUTEURS ĺ WHICHĺ AREĺ CULTĺ üLMSĺ BECAUSEĺ THEĺFANATIC ĺSAYSĺSOĺ4HEĺCONCEPTĺOFĺAUTEURĺTHEORYĺCAMEĺTOĺ PROMINENCEĺ INĺ &RENCHĺ CINEMAĺ DURINGĺ THEĺ .EWĺ7AVEĺ PERIODĺ INĺ THEĺ S ĺ INITIALLYĺ ENDORSEDĺ BYĺ DIRECTORĺ &RAN¾OISĺ4RUFFAUTĺ INĺ HISĺ ĺ ESSAYĺ k!ĺ #ERTAINĺ4ENDENCYĺ INĺ &RENCHĺ #INEMAl ĺ ANDĺEVENTUALLYĺCOINEDĺBYĺüLMĺCRITICĺ!NDREWĺ3ARRISĺINĺHISĺĺ ESSAYĺ k.OTESĺ ONĺ THEĺ!UTEURĺ4HEORYlĺ4HEREĺ HAVEĺ BEENĺ SHIFT INGĺ MODESĺ OFĺ EMPHASISĺ ANDĺ SIGNIüCATIONĺ OVERĺ THEĺ YEARSĺ !ĺ BONEĺ OFĺ CONTENTIONĺ AROSEĺ REGARDINGĺ THEĺ ROLEĺ OFĺ THEĺ DIRECTORĺ ASĺ ANĺ AUTHORIALĺ GODĺ WHOSEĺ MACHINATIONSĺ INVALIDATEĺ THEĺ CON TRIBUTIONSĺOFĺSCREENWRITERSĺANDĺOTHERĺSOURCESĺOFĺCREATIVEĺIN PUTĺEGĺPRODUCERSĺANDĺCINEMATOGRAPHERS ĺ)NĺAĺĺREVIEWĺ OFĺ#ITIZENĺ+ANEĺ ĺFORĺINSTANCE ĺ0AULINEĺ+AELĺCHALLENGEDĺ 3ARRISlSĺIDEASĺABOUTĺTHEĺSUPREMEĺAUTHORSHIPĺOFĺTHEĺDIRECTOR ĺ ARGUINGĺ THATĺ AUTHORSHIPĺ ISĺ Aĺ COLLABORATIVEĺ PROCESSĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺDIRECTORĺANDĺMULTIPLEĺPARTIESĺ-OREĺRECENTLY ĺ$AVIDĺ+IPENĺ 18

T HEY LIVE

ANNULLEDĺ DIRECTORIALĺ PRIMACYĺ INĺ 4HEĺ 3HREIBERĺ4HEORYĺ  ĺ GRANTINGĺTHEĺSPOILSĺOFĺAUTHORSHIPĺTOĺTHEĺSCREENWRITERĺ3ARRISlSĺ IDEASĺ HAVEĺ BEENĺ FURTHERĺ PROBLEMATIZEDĺ BYĺ DEVELOPMENTSĺ INĺ LITERARYĺ THEORYĺ SUCHĺ ASĺ .EWĺ #RITICISM ĺ WHICHĺ SACRIüCEDĺ AU THORIALĺINTENTIONĺINĺTHEĺNAMEĺOFĺTEXTUALITYĺIEĺTHEĺPRODUCTĺOFĺ THEĺAUTHORĺISĺALLĺTHATĺMATTERS ĺ$ESPITEĺTHESEĺVARIATIONSĺINĺPER SPECTIVE ĺHOWEVER ĺITĺSEEMSĺTHATĺTHEĺAUTEURĺISĺGENERALLYĺPER CEIVEDĺASĺAĺDIRECTORĺWHOĺHASĺCREATIVEĺCONTROLĺOVERĺTHEĺWRITING ĺ DIRECTIONĺANDĺPRODUCTIONĺOFĺHISĺORĺHERĺüLM *OHNĺ #ARPENTER ĺ WHOĺ kOFTENĺ WORKSĺ ONĺ THEĺ SCRIPTS ĺ EDITINGĺ ANDĺELECTRONICĺMUSICĺFORĺHISĺüLMS ĺISĺCLEARLYĺANĺAUTEURĺINĺTHEĺ CLASSICĺ SENSEĺ OFĺ THEĺ TERMlĺ 'RANTĺ ĺ  ĺ #ARPENTERĺ ISĺ INĺ FACTĺNOTORIOUSĺFORĺAUTEURISTICĺMISCHIEF ĺREPEATEDLYĺFRUSTRATINGĺ ANDĺFRUSTRATEDĺBY ĺPRODUCTIONĺCOMPANIESĺANDĺSTUDIOĺSYSTEMSĺ THROUGHOUTĺHISĺCAREERĺ(EĺCARVEDĺOUTĺAĺNICHEĺTYPIüEDĺBYĺTHISĺ FREQUENTLYĺ CITEDĺ INTERVIEWĺ COMMENTĺ k)Nĺ &RANCE ĺ )lMĺ ANĺ AU TEURĺ INĺ 'ERMANY ĺ )lMĺ Aĺ üLMMAKERĺ INĺ %NGLAND ĺ )lMĺ Aĺ GENREĺ DIRECTORĺINĺTHEĺ53 ĺ)lMĺAĺBUMlĺQUOTEDĺINĺ&OUNDASĺ ĺ/Fĺ COURSE ĺ#ARPENTERĺISĺALLĺOFĺTHESEĺTHINGSĺ(ISĺüLMOGRAPHYĺEX HIBITSĺCHARACTERISTICSĺOFĺWHATĺMIGHTĺBEĺANTICIPATEDĺFROMĺSUCHĺ VARIEDĺPERSPECTIVES )NĺPRINCIPLE ĺTHEĺAUTEURĺANDĺTHEĺBLOCKBUSTERĺüLMMAKERĺAREĺ DIAMETRICALLYĺ OPPOSEDĺ BREEDSĺ /NEĺ MAKESĺ MOVIESĺ TOĺ MAKEĺ kARTl ĺ PERĺ SE ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ OTHERĺ MAKESĺ MOVIESĺ TOĺ MAKEĺ MONEYĺ "OTHĺASPIREĺTOĺkENTERTAINlĺVIEWERSĺ#ARPENTERlSĺAUTEURISMĺHASĺ BEENĺCALLEDĺkAĺSEARCHĺFORĺpĺANDĺCONFRONTATIONĺWITHĺpĺNEWĺOR DER ĺINĺTHEĺSAMEĺSENSEĺTHATĺALLĺARTĺISĺANĺEFFORTĺTOĺREORDERĺTHEĺ UNIVERSE ĺ ORĺ ATĺ LEASTĺ ONElSĺ VISIONĺ OFĺ ITlĺ #UMBOWĺ ĺ  ĺ -OSTĺIFĺNOTĺALLĺAUTEURSĺUNDERGOĺAĺSIMILARĺJOURNEY ĺkFORGINGĺAĺVI SIONĺOUTĺOFĺBULLSHITlĺ"OULENGERĺĺ ĺ#ARPENTERĺHASĺMADEĺ MOVIESĺFORĺBIGĺANDĺSMALLĺSCREENS ĺFORĺPOWERHOUSEĺCOMPANIESĺ ANDĺINDIEĺSTUDIOS ĺANDĺWITHĺHIGHĺANDĺLOWĺBUDGETSĺ7HATEVERĺ THEĺCONTEXT ĺMOSTĺOFĺHISĺWORKĺROMANTICISESĺTHEĺBLOCKBUSTERĺ FORMĺHEĺREALLYĺWANTSĺTOĺBEĺAĺBLOCKBUSTERĺüLMMAKER ĺBUTĺONĺ 19

CULT O GRA PHIES

HISĺ OWNĺ CONDITIONS ĺ INĺ ACCORDANCEĺ WITHĺ HISĺ OWNĺ ETHICS ĺ DE SIRESĺ ANDĺ CODESĺ 2EGARDINGĺ THEĺ CONTENTĺ IEĺ Aĺ USEĺ OFĺ SPE CIALĺEFFECTSĺANDĺELEMENTSĺOFĺFANTASYĺANDĺSCIENCEĺüCTION ĺHISĺ SĺüLMSĺHADĺAĺLOTĺINĺCOMMONĺWITHĺBLOCKBUSTERSĺLIKEĺ4HEĺ %MPIREĺ 3TRIKESĺ "ACKĺ  ĺ 2AIDERSĺ OFĺ THEĺ ,OSTĺ!RKĺ  ĺ %4ĺ4HEĺ %XTRA 4ERRESTRIALĺ  ĺ 2ETURNĺ OFĺ THEĺ *EDIĺ  ĺ 'HOSTBUSTERSĺ ĺ"ACKĺTOĺTHEĺ&UTUREĺ ĺANDĺ"ATMANĺ  ĺ(ISĺINABILITYĺTOĺGARNERĺTHEĺRATINGSĺOFĺTHESEĺüLMSĺWASNlTĺ FORĺLACKĺOFĺFUNDINGĺACCORDINGĺTOĺTHEĺ)NTERNETĺ-OVIEĺ$ATABASE ĺ THEĺPRODUCTIONĺBUDGETĺFORĺ4HEĺ4HINGĺ ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺWASĺ ĺ MILLION ĺ ASĺ OPPOSEDĺ TOĺ ĺ MILLIONĺ FORĺ %4ĺ THATĺ SAMEĺ YEARĺ /Nĺ THEĺ CONTRARY ĺ #ARPENTERlSĺ NARRATIVEĺ STRUCTUREĺ DISTIN GUISHEDĺHISĺMOVIESĺ(EĺDIDĺNOTĺKOWTOWĺTOĺCONVENTIONAL ĺEX PECTEDĺ ORĺ ACCEPTEDĺ NARRATIVEĺ FORMULASĺ pĺ ESPECIALLYĺ VIS ÷ VISĺ THEĺBLOCKBUSTERĺFORMULA ĺWHICHĺISĺIDEALLYĺACCESSIBLEĺTOĺALLĺAGESĺ ANDĺINTENDEDĺFORĺkFAMILYĺFUNlĺ#ARPENTERlSĺCULTĺCINEMAĺDEMON STRATESĺWILFULĺkFAILURESlĺTOĺMANIFESTĺBLOCKBUSTERSĺANDĺTHEĺSIZESĺ OFĺAUDIENCESĺTHATĺČOCKĺTOĺTHEMĺ)NĺEFFECT ĺHISĺCINEMAĺCANĺBEĺ VIEWEDĺASĺAĺMETAüCTIONALĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺTHEĺBLOCKBUSTER ĺEXPOS INGĺ ITSĺ PRESCRIPTIONĺ ANDĺ INSCRIPTIONĺ OFĺ DESIREĺ ONTOĺ THEĺ SOCIALĺ BODYĺ(EĺISĺWHATĺWEĺMIGHTĺCALLĺANĺIMPLODEDĺAUTEUR ĺBLURRINGĺ THEĺBOUNDARIESĺBETWEENĺBLOCKBUSTERĺANDĺCULTĺPRODUCTIONS

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T HEY LIVE

#ARPENTERĺ ISĺ aĺ ONEĺ OFĺ Aĺ GROUPĺ OFĺ KEYĺ üLMMAKERSĺ WHOĺ CAMEĺTOĺBEĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺTHEĺHORRORĺNEWĺWAVEĺOFĺTHEĺ LATEĺSĺANDĺTHEĺEARLYĺSĺaĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺTHATĺGREWĺ UPĺWITHĺHISĺüLMSĺATĺTHEĺDAWNĺOFĺTHEĺVIDEOĺAGEĺ&ORĺSUCHĺ ANĺAUDIENCEĺ#ARPENTERĺISĺOFTENĺSEENĺASĺAĺDIRECTORĺOFĺCULTĺ üLMSĺ ;a=ĺ!ĺ " MOVIEĺ AESTHETICĺ OFĺ SENSATIONALISTIC ĺ UNIN HIBITEDĺ ANDĺ CONüDENTĺ GENREĺ üLMMAKINGĺ HASĺ CONTINUALLYĺ BEENĺAĺMARKĺOFĺ#ARPENTERlSĺPRODUCTIONSĺĺ )NČUENCEDĺ FROMĺ ANĺ EARLYĺ AGEĺ BYĺ MONSTERĺ MOVIESĺ LIKEĺ +INGĺ +ONGĺ  ĺ WESTERNSĺ SUCHĺ ASĺ (OWARDĺ (AWKSlĺ 2IOĺ "RAVOĺ  ĺANDĺABOVEĺALLĺSCIENCEĺüCTIONĺLIKEĺ*ACKĺ!RNOLDlSĺ)Tĺ#AMEĺ FROMĺ/UTERĺ3PACEĺ ĺ&REDĺ-ĺ7ILCOXlSĺ&ORBIDDENĺ0LANETĺ  ĺ2OGERĺ#ORMANlSĺ#ONQUEREDĺTHEĺ7ORLDĺ ĺANDĺ6ALĺ 'UESTlSĺ1UARTERMASSĺ))ĺ%NEMYĺFROMĺ3PACEĺ ĺSEEĺ-UIRĺ ĺp ĺ#ARPENTER ĺINĺRETROSPECT ĺSEEMEDĺDESTINEDĺFORĺTHEĺ REALMĺOFĺCULTĺAESTHETICSĺ(ISĺWORKĺINĺTHEĺSĺISĺTHEĺMOSTĺ ANIMATED ĺPROVOCATIVEĺANDĺTROUBLEDĺOFĺHISĺCULTĺCANONĺ4HEĺ&OGĺ  ĺ%SCAPEĺFROMĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ ĺ4HEĺ4HINGĺ ĺ#HRIS TINEĺ ĺ3TARMANĺ ĺ"IGĺ4ROUBLEĺINĺ,ITTLEĺ#HINAĺ ĺ 0RINCEĺ OFĺ $ARKNESSĺ  ĺ ANDĺ üNALLYĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ  ĺ4HEĺ SUBJECTĺOFĺTHISĺTITLEĺINĺTHEĺ#ULTOGRAPHIESĺSERIESĺISĺNOTĺONLYĺAĺ üTTINGĺCODAĺFORĺTHISĺDECADE LONGĺüLMOGRAPHYĺANDĺTHEĺLATEĺ#OLDĺ 7ARĺERAĺ!NĺACIDĺTESTĺFORĺ#ARPENTERlSĺCRAFT ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺSPEAKSĺ INWARDLY ĺTOĺITSELFĺANDĺTOĺTHEĺSIBLINGĺüLMSĺTHATĺPRECEDEDĺANDĺ SUCCEEDEDĺITĺ,IKEWISEĺDOESĺITĺSPEAKĺOUTWARDLY ĺTOĺTHEĺWORLDĺ ATĺLARGE ĺTOĺ!MERICAĺpĺNOT ĺASĺTHEĺ53ĺNATIONALĺANTHEMĺWOULDĺ HAVEĺIT ĺkLANDĺOFĺTHEĺFREEĺANDĺHOMEĺOFĺTHEĺBRAVEl ĺBUTĺRATHERĺ LANDĺOFĺTHEĺCREEDĺANDĺHOMEĺOFĺTHEĺSLAVE

21

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T HEY LIVE

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lĺĺ ĺ)TĺWORKSĺk4HEĺ CITYĺHEARDĺMYĺVOICEl ĺHEĺEXPLAINSĺINĺTHEĺüNALĺCAPTION ĺkBUTĺSAWĺ THEĺ&ASCINATORlSĺIMAGE ĺANDĺTHEĺCITYĺDIDĺAWAKE ĺANDĺTHEĺWARĺ BEGANlĺIBID ĺ5NFORTUNATELYĺ.ADAĺDOESNlTĺLIVEĺTOĺüGHTĺANOTHERĺ DAYĺ )Tĺ ISĺ EIGHTĺ OlCLOCKĺ INĺ THEĺ MORNING ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ LASTĺ PANELSĺ SHOWĺHISĺHEADĺGRUESOMELYĺDECOMPOSINGĺINTOĺAĺCRACKEDĺSKULL ĺ FULüLLINGĺ THEĺ PROPHECY ĺ ANDĺ RENDERINGĺ HIM ĺ kONCEĺ ANDĺ FORĺ ALL ĺ NADAlĺIBID  .OIRĺ AESTHETICĺ ASIDE ĺ #ARPENTERĺ STAYSĺ MODERATELYĺ TRUEĺ TOĺ THEĺ COMICĺ HEĺ EXTRAPOLATESĺ ITĺ INĺ SOMEĺ DETAIL ĺ TWEAKINGĺ ANDĺ DEEPENINGĺITSĺCENTRALĺTHEMESĺ/NEĺSTARKĺDIFFERENCEĺISĺTHEĺLOOKĺ OFĺTHEĺALIENS ĺWHOĺAREĺNOTĺBUG EYEDĺMONSTERSĺBUTĺMOREĺLIKEĺ ZOMBIESĺ)ĺWILLĺDISCUSSĺTHEĺSYMBOLICĺRESONANCEĺOFĺTHISĺVARIA TIONĺINĺAĺMOMENTĺ-OSTĺNOTICEABLY ĺ#ARPENTERlSĺCINEMATICĺRE PRODUCTIONĺ DIVERGESĺ FROMĺ BOTHĺ k.ADAlĺ ANDĺ k%IGHTĺ /l#LOCKĺ INĺ THEĺ -ORNINGlĺ INĺ ITSĺ CRITIQUEĺ OFĺ Sĺ !MERICANĺ SOCIETYĺ ANDĺ CULTUREĺASĺWELLĺASĺITSĺCELEBRATIONĺOFĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLINGĺETH ICSĺ ANDĺ kARTISTRYl ĺ THEĺ LATTERĺ OFĺ WHICHĺ HAVEĺ ALWAYSĺ COMBINEDĺ HARD NOSEDĺDRAMAĺWITHĺNOT QUITE SLAPSTICKĺCOMEDYĺALTHOUGHĺ PROFESSIONALĺ WRESTLERSĺ ESSENTIALLYĺ ENACTĺ THEĺ PSEUDOVIOLENTĺ ANTICSĺOFĺTHEĺ4HREEĺ3TOOGES ĺ!TĺTHEĺSAMEĺTIME ĺMUCHĺOFĺTHEĺ 24

T HEY LIVE

HUMOURĺ OFĺ PROFESSIONALĺ WRESTLINGĺ COMESĺ FROMĺ ITSĺ HYPERDRA MATICĺSTAGEPLAY ĺFROMĺTHEĺGRAVEĺDEGREEĺTOĺWHICHĺITĺTAKESĺITSELFĺ SERIOUSLY ĺORĺPRESENTSĺITSELFĺASĺTAKINGĺITSELFĺSERIOUSLYĺ(UMOURĺ RESULTSĺ FROMĺ DRAMATICĺ EXCESS ĺ MAKINGĺ PROFESSIONALĺ WRES TLINGĺANOTHERĺüTTINGĺHOMEBODYĺFORĺTHEĺS ĺNOTĺTOĺMENTIONĺ SOMETHINGĺTHATĺSITSĺCOMFORTABLYĺINĺAĺCULTĺüLM 4HEĺ kSPORTlĺ GAINEDĺ SLOWĺ POPULARITYĺ INĺ THEĺ EARLYĺ Sĺ ANDĺ Sĺ PRIMARILYĺ VIAĺ CABLEĺ BROADCASTSĺ ONĺ4"3 ĺ BUTĺ ITĺ WASNlTĺ UNTILĺPROMOTERĺ6INCEĺ-C-AHONĺESTABLISHEDĺTHEĺ77&ĺ7ORLDĺ 7RESTLINGĺ&EDERATION ĺINĺTHEĺEARLYĺSĺTHATĺITĺFOUNDĺAĺMASSĺ AUDIENCEĺ )Nĺ  ĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ 7RESTLEMANIA ĺ ANĺ ANNUALĺ PAY PER VIEWĺ EVENTĺ THATĺ REMAINSĺ ALIVEĺ INĺ THEĺ TWENTY üRSTĺ CEN TURY ĺ SOLIDIüEDĺ THEĺ POPULARITYĺ OFĺ PROFESSIONALĺ WRESTLING ĺ ANDĺ *OHNĺ #ARPENTERĺ WASĺ AMONGĺ THEĺ MASSĺ OFĺ ADMIRERSĺ )Nĺ  ĺ HEĺATTENDEDĺ7RESTLEMANIAĺ))) ĺMETĺ2ODDYĺ0IPERĺANDĺTHOUGHTĺ HEĺWOULDĺBEĺAĺGOODĺüTĺFORĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺWHICHĺWASĺINĺTHEĺCON CEPTUALĺSTAGESĺ)NCLUDEDĺINĺ"ORNĺTOĺ#ONTROVERSYĺ4HEĺ2ODDYĺ 0IPERĺ3TORYĺ ĺAREĺCLIPSĺFROMĺANĺINTERVIEWĺWITHĺ#ARPENTERĺ WHEREĺ HEĺ EXPLAINSĺ k4HERElSĺ SOMETHINGĺ ABOUTĺ ;0IPER=ĺ THATĺ ISĺ UNLIKEĺOTHERĺ(OLLYWOODĺACTORSĺ(EĺSEEMSĺTOĺHAVEĺLIVEDĺLIFEĺaĺ !FTERĺ)ĺGOTĺTOĺKNOWĺHIM ĺ)ĺTHOUGHT ĺWELL ĺTHISĺISĺPERFECTĺ,ETĺMEĺ GIVEĺHIMĺAĺTRYĺINĺTHISĺROLE ĺBECAUSEĺ)ĺTHINKĺHEĺHASĺANĺENORMOUSĺ AMOUNTĺ OFĺ TALENT ĺ ANDĺ HElSĺ VERYĺ REALĺ!NDĺ HEĺ ISĺ *OHNĺ .ADA ĺ BASICALLYĺ4HATlSĺKINDĺOFĺHISĺLIFEĺSTORYlĺ0IPERĺAGREES ĺNOTINGĺHISĺ AFüNITYĺFORĺ.ADA ĺkAĺGUYĺTHATĺWANTSĺTOĺMINDĺHISĺOWNĺBUSINESSĺ ANDĺSTARTSĺTOĺRUNĺINTOĺALLĺKINDSĺOFĺDIFüCULTIESĺTHATĺNOBODYĺELSEĺ ISĺNOTICINGĺaĺ(EĺTRIESĺTOĺCORRECTĺIT ĺANDĺINĺCORRECTINGĺIT ĺHEĺHASĺ TOĺBLOWĺAWAYĺAĺFEWĺPEOPLEĺ!INlTĺAĺLOTĺOFĺDIFFERENCEĺBETWEENĺ *OHNĺ.ADAĺANDĺ2ODDYĺ0IPERl )NITIALĺSHOOTINGĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺBEGANĺINĺ-ARCHĺĺINĺDOWN TOWNĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺ0RINCEĺOFĺ$ARKNESSĺDEBUTEDĺüVEĺMONTHSĺ EARLIER ĺINĺ/CTOBERĺ ĺANDĺGROSSEDĺOVERĺĺMILLIONĺATĺTHEĺ BOXĺOFüCEĺpĺNEARLYĺüVEĺTIMESĺTHEĺCOSTĺOFĺPRODUCTIONĺpĺEVENĺIFĺ REVIEWSĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺWEREĺTEPIDĺATĺBESTĺ#RITICSĺACCUSEDĺ0RINCEĺ 25

CULT O GRA PHIES

OFĺ$ARKNESS ĺTHEĺüRSTĺINĺTHEĺ!LIVEĺ&ILMSĺDEALĺSEEĺNOTEĺ ĺOFĺ HOLLOWĺCHARACTERISATION ĺNARRATIVEĺDEPTHLESSNESSĺANDĺCHEESYĺ ANTICSĺ )Nĺ  ĺ 2OGERĺ %BERT ĺ WRITINGĺ FORĺ THEĺ #HICAGOĺ 3UN 4IMES ĺCONCLUDEDĺTHATĺITĺkCONTAINSĺTHEĺINGREDIENTSĺFORĺAĺMUCHĺ BETTERĺMOVIEl ĺWHEREASĺ2ICHARDĺ(ARRINGTONĺOFĺTHEĺ7ASHINGTONĺ 0OSTĺSAIDĺTHEĺüLMĺkSTINKSlĺANDĺISĺkJUSTĺAFTERĺCHEAPĺTHRILLSlĺ0RINCEĺ OFĺ$ARKNESSĺRESONATEDĺWITHĺVIEWERSĺANDĺMADEĺMONEY ĺHOW EVER ĺANDĺPRODUCERSĺGREENLIGHTEDĺAĺNEWĺüLM #ARPENTERĺRECEIVEDĺANOTHERĺĺMILLIONĺTOĺMAKEĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ 5NLIKEĺ0RINCEĺOFĺ$ARKNESS ĺAĺCOMPLEXĺAMALGAMĺOFĺGOTHICĺHOR RORĺANDĺSCIENCEĺüCTIONĺTHATĺRECALLSĺ%DGARĺ!LLANĺ0OEĺANDĺ(0ĺ ,OVECRAFT ĺTHEĺSECONDĺ!LIVEĺ&ILMSĺINSTALMENTĺAPPEARSĺATĺüRSTĺ GLANCEĺ MOREĺ ONE DIMENSIONAL ĺ COMBININGĺ PULPĺ WESTERNĺ ANDĺ SCIENCEĺüCTIONĺINĺTOKENĺSHOOT kEM UPĺFASHIONĺ"UTĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺ kCOMICĺBOOKĺSIMPLICITYĺMASKSĺAĺNETWORKĺOFĺDEEPLYĺINTERLACING ĺ SOMETIMESĺCONČICTING ĺIDEASĺANDĺIDEOLOGIESlĺ#UMBOWĺĺ  ĺ4HEĺPROMOTIONALĺPOSTERĺFORĺTHEĺüLMĺCALLSĺATTENTIONĺTOĺITSĺ DEPTHĺ OFĺ MEANINGĺ ANDĺ FUNDAMENTALĺ THEMEĺ OFĺ MIS PERCEP TIONĺ%YESĺANDĺEYEWEARĺAREĺTHEĺFOCALĺPOINTSĺ4HISĺSCRIPTĺRUNSĺ ACROSSĺTHEĺTOPĺOFĺTHEĺPOSTER 9OUĺSEEĺTHEMĺONĺTHEĺSTREETĺ9OUĺWATCHĺTHEMĺONĺ46 9OUĺMIGHTĺEVENĺVOTEĺFORĺONEĺTHISĺ&ALL 9OUĺTHINKĺTHEYlREĺPEOPLEĺJUSTĺLIKEĺYOU 9OUlREĺWRONGĺ$EADĺWRONG "ENEATHĺTHEĺFOREWARNINGĺISĺ.ADAlSĺEXPOSEDĺEYE ĺDILATEDĺANDĺ WIDEĺWITHĺSURPRISE ĺYETĺDEüNEDĺBYĺAĺFROWNINGĺBROWĺ(EĺHASĺ SLIDĺAĺPAIRĺOFĺMIRROREDĺSUNGLASSESĺDOWNĺTHEĺBRIDGEĺOFĺHISĺNOSEĺ /NEĺLENSĺDOMINATESĺTHEĺCENTREĺOFĺTHEĺPOSTERĺ&AINTLYĺGARBLEDĺ BYĺLINESĺOFĺTELEVISIONĺSTATIC ĺTHEĺLENSĺSHOWSĺTHEĺFULLĺPHYSIOGNO MICĺREČECTIONĺOFĺAĺREPRESENTATIVEĺALIENĺBULBOUSĺINSECTĺEYES ĺ TWOĺ LONGĺ ROWSĺ OFĺ DECAYEDĺ HORSEĺ TEETH ĺ HOLLOWĺ NOSEĺ HOLES ĺ METALLICĺ SKULLĺ ETCHEDĺ WITHĺ RAWĺ REDĺ SINEWSĺ ANDĺ PATCHESĺ OFĺ 26

T HEY LIVE

Nada perceives his enemy in the promotional poster for 4HEYĺ,IVE.

BLOODĺ"EHINDĺTHEĺUGLYĺMUGĺISĺAĺHYPERREALĺ,!ĺBACKDROPĺWITHĺAĺ FOREBODINGĺLAVA COLOUREDĺSKYĺANDĺTHEĺSILHOUETTEĺOFĺAĺPALMĺTREEĺ HANGINGĺOVERĺAĺDISTANT ĺILLUMINATEDĺCITYSCAPE !SĺWEĺSEEĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺITSELF ĺTHEĺALIENSCAPITALISTSĺLOOKĺLIKEĺ HUMANS ĺ IFĺ ONLYĺ UPPER CLASSĺ HUMANSĺ NON MILITARYĺ MALESĺ OF TENĺWEARĺBUSINESSĺSUITS ĺFEMALESĺHIGH ENDĺDRESSES ĺ/NLYĺBYĺ VIEWINGĺTHEMĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺLENSESĺOFĺTHEĺSUNGLASSESĺISĺ.ADAĺ ANDĺBYĺEXTENSIONĺTHEĺVIEWER ĺABLEĺTOĺSEEĺTHEIRĺTRUEĺFACESĺ3Oĺ TECHNICALLYĺTHEĺPOSTERĺTELLSĺAĺLIEĺ4HATĺIS ĺITĺSUGGESTSĺTHEIRĺTRUEĺ FACESĺAREĺNOTĺREVEALEDĺTHROUGHĺBUTĺREČECTEDĺOFFĺOFĺTHEĺLENSES ĺ MEANINGĺTHATĺTHEĺALIENCAPITALISTĺPRESUMABLYĺSTANDINGĺINĺFRONTĺ OFĺ.ADAĺCANĺBEĺSEENĺAUĺNATURELĺWITHOUTĺTHEĺGLASSESĺ7EĺCANĺ 27

CULT O GRA PHIES

ATTRIBUTEĺTHISĺINCONSISTENCYĺTOĺTHEĺVAGARIESĺOFĺMARKETINGĺIM AGERYĺ4HEĺPOSTERĺNONETHELESSĺPROBLEMATISESĺPERCEPTIONĺANDĺ SERVESĺASĺANĺEFFECTIVEĺREČECTIONĺOFĺTHEĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺüLMĺ PROBLEMATISESĺ PERCEPTION ĺ LITERALLYĺ ANDĺ üGURATIVELYĺ 7Eĺ CANĺ EVENĺREADĺTHEĺALIENCAPITALISTĺINĺTHEĺPOSTERĺASĺAĺMETAPHORĺFORĺ THEĺ VIEWERCONSUMER ĺ FORĺ WHOEVERĺ ISĺ LOOKINGĺ ATĺ THEĺ POSTERĺ ANDĺHENCEĺATĺ.ADA ĺANDĺMIGHTĺPURCHASEĺAĺTICKETĺTOĺSEEĺ4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ"YĺTHISĺLOGIC ĺTHEĺPOSTERĺIMPLICATESĺTHEĺHUMANĺAĺPOTEN TIALĺBUYERĺkACTINGlĺWITHINĺAĺCAPITALISTĺMATRIX ĺASĺANĺALIEN ĺBLUR RINGĺTHEĺBOUNDARIESĺBETWEENĺSELFĺANDĺOTHER 4HEĺBODIESĺOFĺTHEĺALIENSĺREIFYĺTHISĺIDEAĺ4HEYĺAREĺNOTĺSTOCKĺ SCIENCEĺ üCTIONĺ BUG EYEDĺ MONSTERSĺ ORĺ NON ANTHROPOMORPHICĺ ORGANISMSĺ#ARPENTERĺCONCEIVEDĺOFĺTHEMĺASĺDECAYEDĺZOMBIESĺ RATHERĺTHANĺTHEĺMULTI EYEDĺFROGSĺOFĺk.ADAlĺANDĺk%IGHTĺ/l#LOCKĺ INĺTHEĺ-ORNINGlĺ!CCORDINGĺTOĺTHEĺPRODUCTIONĺNOTESĺONĺTHEĺ/F üCIALĺ*OHNĺ#ARPENTERĺ7EBSITE ĺkMAKE UPĺARTISTĺ&RANKĺ#ARISSOSAĺ WASĺRESPONSIBLEĺFORĺIMPLEMENTINGĺ#ARPENTERlSĺCONCEPTĺOFĺTHEĺ ALIENĺ GHOULSĺ #ARISSOSA ĺ WHOĺ ALSOĺ WORKEDĺ ONĺ THEĺ #ARPENTERĺ THRILLERĺ 0RINCEĺ OFĺ $ARKNESS ĺ STROVEĺ TOĺ CREATEĺ DECOMPOSITIONĺ ANDĺMENACEĺINĺTHEĺGHOULS ĺWHOSEĺFACESĺWEREĺMADEĺFROMĺLATEXĺ CASESĺANDĺPAINTEDĺTOĺRESEMBLEĺTHEĺLASTĺREMAININGĺREMNANTSĺ OFĺHUMANĺFORMlĺ0HYSICALLYĺTHEĺALIENSĺRESEMBLEĺSEMI MUSCLEDĺ HUMANĺSKELETONSĺpĺTHATĺWHICHĺLIESĺBENEATHĺTHEĺSKINĺ4HEYĺAREĺ EXTRA TERRESTRIALSĺFROMĺOUTERĺSPACE ĺBUTĺGIVENĺTHEIRĺAPPEARANC ESĺANDĺACTIONS ĺTHEĺALIENSĺCOLLECTIVELYĺALLEGORISEĺHUMANĺDESIRE ĺ WHICHĺ MANIFESTSĺ ASĺ CAPITALISTĺ ENERGYĺ ANDĺ SOCIALĺ ECONOMYĺ 4HEYĺAREĺTHEĺHORRIüCĺPOTENTIALĺANDĺUNDERLYINGĺREALITY ĺTHATĺLURKSĺ BENEATHĺTHEĺHUMAN ĺQUITEĺLITERALLYĺBONEĺANDĺBLOOD ĺUNMASKEDĺ BYĺTHEĺFORMALITYĺOFĺČESHĺ&OREGROUNDINGĺTHEĺUNBOUNDĺVISAGEĺOFĺ THEĺALIENĺINĺ.ADAlSĺMIRROREDĺLENS ĺTHEĺPROMOTIONALĺPOSTERĺDOESĺ NOTĺIMMEDIATELYĺCALLĺATTENTIONĺTOĺTHISĺDYNAMICĺANDĺTHEĺRELATION SHIPĺ BETWEENĺ DESIREĺ ANDĺ CAPITALISM ĺ BUTĺ ITĺ DOESĺ UNDERSCOREĺ THEĺTHREATĺOFĺPERCEPTUALĺCONSTRUCTIONĺTHATĺSERVESĺASĺTHEĺüLMlSĺ GUIDINGĺTHEMEĺANDĺSOURCEĺOFĺFRICTION 28

T HEY LIVE

4HISĺISĺAĺTHEORETICALĺCONCERNĺ/NĺTHEĺBARE KNUCKLEDĺSURFACE ĺ THEĺ POSTERĺ ABLYĺ REPRESENTSĺ #ARPENTER LABELĺ CULTĺ CINEMAĺ WITHĺ LITTLEĺ SENSEĺ OFĺ MYSTERYĺ ORĺ SUSPENSEĺ THEĺ GORY ĺ CORNYĺ SECRETĺ THATĺ.ADAĺUNCOVERSĺTHROUGHOUTĺTHEĺüLMĺISĺTHRUSTĺINĺOURĺFACES ĺ ANDĺVIEWERSĺEVENĺREMOTELYĺFAMILIARĺWITHĺ#ARPENTERlSĺWORKĺUPĺ TOĺTHISĺPOINTĺKNOWĺTHATĺTHEYĺWILLĺBEĺINĺFORĺSOMEĺKINDĺOFĺSCI ENCEĺüCTIONĺANDORĺHORRORĺARTIüCE 4HEĺ NEARĺ TWO MINUTEĺ PROMOTIONALĺ TRAILERĺ FORĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ ISĺ SOMEWHATĺLESSĺREVEALINGĺ)TĺEXPOSESĺAĺWARTS AND ALLĺALIENĺONLYĺ ATĺ THEĺ END ĺ FORĺ Aĺ SPLITĺ SECONDĺ6IEWEDĺ THROUGHĺ .ADAlSĺ SUN GLASSES ĺTHEĺALIENĺWEARSĺAĺBUSINESSĺSUITĺANDĺREADSĺAĺNEWS PAPERĺ ATĺ Aĺ KIOSKĺ ONĺ THEĺ STREET ĺ THENĺ TURNSĺ ANDĺ LOOKSĺ ATĺ THEĺ CAMERAĺpĺTHATĺIS ĺATĺ.ADAĺANDĺTHEĺVIEWERĺpĺITSĺROUND ĺWIDE ĺ WHITEĺEYESĺPROJECTINGĺAĺSENSEĺOFĺTHEĺ&REUDIANĺUNCANNYĺFROMĺ DARKĺ SKULLĺ SOCKETSĺ !ĺ ROUGHLYĺ EDITEDĺ SEQUENCEĺ OFĺ SNIPPETSĺ ANDĺ ČASHCUTSĺ LEADSĺ UPĺ TOĺ THISĺ CLIMACTICĺ SHOTĺ4HEĺ ALIENSĺ GOĺ UNMENTIONEDĺ!SĺWEĺJUMPĺFROMĺSCENEĺTOĺSCENE ĺCONTEXTĺTOĺ CONTEXT ĺ.ADAĺANDĺOTHERĺCHARACTERSĺEXPLAINĺk4HEYlREĺALLĺABOUTĺ YOUĺaĺ4HEYlREĺRUNNINGĺTHEĺWHOLEĺSHOWĺaĺ4HEYĺAREĺSAFEĺASĺ LONGĺ ASĺ THEYĺ AREĺ NOTĺ DISCOVEREDĺ aĺ )ĺ DONlTĺ KNOWĺ WHATĺ THEYĺ ARE ĺORĺWHEREĺTHEYĺCAMEĺFROM ĺBUTĺWEĺGOTTAĺSTOPĺlEMĺaĺ4HEYĺ HAVEĺUS
ĺ,OOKĺATĺlEMĺpĺTHEYlREĺEVERYWHERE
lĺ!NDĺSOĺONĺ)NTER SPERSEDĺTHROUGHOUTĺTHEĺTRAILERĺAREĺSCREENSHOTSĺOFĺDEEPĺSPACEĺ ONTOĺWHICHĺTHEĺWORDĺk4(%9l ĺILLUMINATEDĺBYĺAĺTOXICĺBLUEĺCO RONA ĺSAILSĺONSCREENĺACCOMPANIEDĺBYĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺAĺSPEEDINGĺ AIRCRAFTĺANDĺAĺLOW ĺMONSTROUSĺGROWL 4HEĺTRAILERĺGETSĺMOREĺCHAOTICĺASĺWEĺAPPROACHĺTHEĺENDĺ.ADAĺ DELIVERSĺONE LINERSĺANDĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺDEVOLVESĺINTOĺPYROTECH NICSĺANDĺGUNüREĺ/VERALLĺITĺISĺDIFüCULTĺTOĺASSESSĺHOWĺEFFECTIVEĺ ORĺINEFFECTIVEĺTHEĺTRAILERĺANDĺTHEĺPROMOTIONALĺPOSTERĺWEREĺINĺ GENERATINGĺSALESĺFORĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺASĺISĺOFTENĺTHEĺCASEĺWITHĺCINE MATICĺ MARKETINGĺ IMAGERYĺ BASEDĺ ONĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺ üNANCIALĺ SUC CESS ĺWEĺCANĺASSUMEĺTHEYĺPLAYEDĺSOMEĺROLEĺ4HEYĺCERTAINLYĺ PIQUEDĺMYĺINTEREST ĺPARTLYĺBECAUSEĺOFĺTHEĺCONTENT ĺPARTLYĺBE 29

CULT O GRA PHIES

CAUSEĺ OFĺ THEĺ DIRECTORĺ pĺ MAINLYĺ BECAUSEĺ OFĺ 2ODDYĺ 0IPER ĺ MYĺ PROFESSIONALĺWRESTLINGĺANTI HERO ĺWHOĺWOULDĺBEĺAPPEARINGĺINĺ HISĺ üRSTĺ ANDĺ LAST ĺ STARRINGĺ ROLEĺ INĺ WHATĺ )ĺ PERCEIVEDĺ TOĺ BEĺ Aĺ MAJORĺMOTIONĺPICTUREĺEVENT

30

3 REEL POLITIK

4HEĺüRSTĺPARTĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺSETĺINĺ*USTICEVILLE ĺAĺSHANTYTOWNĺ ENCAMPMENTĺ SITUATEDĺ ONĺ THEĺ PERIPHERYĺ OFĺ DOWNTOWNĺ ,OSĺ !NGELESĺ .ADAĺ SQUATSĺ HEREĺ WITHĺ ANĺ ECLECTICĺ GROUPĺ OFĺ OTHERĺ HOMELESSĺPEOPLEĺ!SĺINĺTHEĺCOMIC ĺTHEĺELEGANTĺSKYSCRAPERSĺ OFĺTHEĺCITYSCAPEĺLOOMĺOVERĺ.ADAĺANDĺHISĺCOHORTSĺINĺBLIGHT ĺBUTĺ ASĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺBACKDROP ĺACCENTUATINGĺTHEĺDISPARITYĺBETWEENĺ DOWNTOWNĺWEALTHĺANDĺFRINGEĺPOVERTYĺ#ARPENTERĺüLMEDĺ4HEYĺ ,IVEĺkONĺLOCATIONSĺTHATĺBOREĺTHEĺCLOSESTĺPOSSIBLEĺRESEMBLANC ESĺTOĺTHEĺSETTINGSĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺNOĺSTUDIOĺSETĺWASĺUSEDĺTOĺCRE ATEĺ *USTICEVILLEĺ ORĺ THEĺ OLDĺ CHURCHĺ ORĺ THEĺ ČOPHOUSEĺ ONĺ 3KIDĺ 2OWlĺ/FüCIALĺ*OHNĺ#ARPENTERĺ7EBSITE ĺ(EĺDIDĺTHISĺTOĺCONVEYĺ THEĺGREATESTĺDEGREEĺOFĺVERISIMILITUDEĺNOTĺONLYĺFORĺTHEĺPHYSICALĺ LANDSCAPEĺBUTĺFORĺTHEĺCLASSĺDIVISIONSĺTHEYĺSIGNIüED )Nĺ Aĺ COSMOPOLITANĺ CITYĺ INĺ ONEĺ OFĺ THEĺ WORLDlSĺ WEALTHIESTĺ COUNTRIES ĺTHEĺDISPARITYĺBETWEENĺECONOMICĺCLASSESĺISĺSOĺ DISTINCTĺANDĺWIDESPREADĺ4HEREĺISĺMOREĺTHANĺAĺLITTLEĺIRONYĺ INĺTHEĺFACTĺTHATĺTHESEĺPLACESĺWEREĺSOĺEASILYĺLOCATEDĺINĺNAT URALĺSURROUNDINGSĺANDĺTHISĺBRINGSĺPARTICULARĺRELEVANCEĺTOĺ THEĺSTORYĺITSELFĺ#ARPENTERĺWORKEDĺCLOSELYĺWITHĺHISĺCREWĺ 31

CULT O GRA PHIES

TOĺCREATEĺANĺAIRĺOFĺGRIMĺREALITYĺAROUNDĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ3TANDINGĺ ONĺ THEĺ OUTSKIRTSĺ OFĺ DOWNTOWNĺ ,OSĺ !NGELESĺ ATĺ THEĺ *US TICEVILLEĺLOCATION ĺITĺISĺEASYĺTOĺIMAGINEĺHOWĺSHUTĺOUTĺTHEĺ REALĺHOMELESSĺMUSTĺFEELĺTHEĺDRAMATICĺBACKDROPĺOFĺHIGH RISEĺOFüCEĺTOWERS ĺFREEWAYĺLIGHTSĺANDĺAIRĺTRAFüCĺCONTRASTĺ SHARPLYĺWITHĺTHEĺSHADOWYĺHOVELSĺONĺTHEĺSETĺ-UCHĺOFĺTHEĺ üLMĺWASĺSHOTĺATĺNIGHT ĺWHICHĺREQUIREDĺ'ARYĺ+IBBE ĺDIREC TORĺOFĺPHOTOGRAPHY ĺTOĺHIGHLIGHTĺTHEĺDRAMAĺOFĺEACHĺSCENEĺ WHILEĺWORKINGĺWITHĺAĺLIMITEDĺSUPPLYĺOFĺLIGHTĺ)BID 4HEYĺ,IVEĺFOREGROUNDSĺTHEĺPERSPECTIVEĺOFĺTHEĺHOMELESSĺ4HISĺ ISĺ ESSENTIALĺ TOĺ ITSĺ NARRATIVEĺ CONSTITUTIONĺ ANDĺ STEMSĺ DIRECTLYĺ FROMĺ#ARPENTERlSĺPERSONALĺEXPERIENCE k7EĺWENTĺINTOĺTHEĺDIRTIESTĺALLEYSĺWEĺCOULDĺüNDl ĺ;#ARPENTER=ĺ RECALLSĺk4HEĺENVIRONMENTĺWASĺVERYĺFAMILIARĺTOĺMEĺ7HENĺ )ĺüRSTĺCAMEĺTOĺ#ALIFORNIAĺpĺLOĺTHESEĺĺYEARSĺAGOĺpĺTOĺAT TENDĺ THEĺ 53#ĺ üLMĺ SCHOOL ĺ )ĺ LIVEDĺ INĺ THEĺ GHETTOĺ )ĺ WENTĺ TOĺDOWNTOWNĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺTOĺGOĺTOĺALL NIGHTĺGRINDHOUSEĺ MOVIEĺTHEATERS ĺWHEREĺTHEĺWINOSĺSLEPTĺ3O ĺ)ĺKNEWĺABOUTĺ THEĺPAINĺANDĺPOVERTYĺOFĺTHEĺHOMELESSĺ"UTĺWHENĺ)ĺWENTĺ BACKĺTOĺDOWNTOWNĺ,!ĺTOĺSHOOTĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺ)ĺWASĺSHOCKEDĺ TOĺSEEĺHOWĺMANYĺMOREĺPEOPLEĺLIVEĺONĺTHEĺSTREETSĺNOWĺ 4HEĺ PROBLEMĺ HASĺ GROWNĺ TOĺ UNBELIEVABLEĺ PROPORTIONSlĺ 1UOTEDĺINĺ3WIRESĺĺp !ĺSENSEĺOFĺREALISMĺPROBABLYĺHADĺSOMETHINGĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺ4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺ SUCCESSĺ AMONGĺ AUDIENCESĺ #RITICSĺ WEREĺ POLARISED ĺ LOVINGĺORĺHATINGĺTHEĺüLMĺFORĺITSĺOVERTĺ" MOVIEĺBADNESSĺ0RO #ARPENTERĺCRITICSĺACKNOWLEDGEDĺAĺCLEARĺMETA REFERENTIALĺQUAL ITY ĺANĺINHERENTĺüLMICĺAWARENESSĺANDĺCELEBRATIONĺOFĺITSĺOWNĺ BADNESSĺ $ETRACTORSĺ REBUKEDĺ #ARPENTERĺ ANDĺ HISĺ ACTORSĺ FORĺ BEINGĺINCOMPETENTĺASĺWELLĺASĺTRYINGĺANDĺFAILING ĺTOĺMAKEĺSO CIALĺCOMMENTARYĺ)NĺAĺ,ONDONĺ4IMESĺREVIEW ĺ3HEILAĺ*OHNSTONĺ 32

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DISCUSSESĺTHEĺüLMĺWITHĺENTHUSIASMĺFORĺITSĺkCHEERFULLYĺCHEESYlĺ SPECIALĺEFFECTSĺANDĺODEĺTOĺCINEMATICĺKITSCHĺk4HEYĺ,IVEĺTAKESĺ ITSĺTONEĺFROMĺTHEĺ: BUDGETĺSCI üĺOFĺTHEĺS ĺINĺWHICHĺMON STERSĺWEREĺTRACKEDĺDOWNĺWITHĺAĺTRULYĺ-C#ARTHYITEĺFERVORĺ4HEĺ DYSTOPIANĺ SEQUENCES ĺ SHOTĺ INĺ BLACK AND WHITE ĺ HAVEĺ Aĺ DELIB ERATELYĺDATED ĺ/RWELLIANĺFEEL ĺWITHĺTHEIRĺAUTHORITARIANĺSLOGANSĺ ANDĺ THEĺ OLDĺ CHESTNUTĺ OFĺ SUBLIMINALĺ CONDITIONINGlĺ  ĺ4HEĺ 7ASHINGTONĺ0OSTlSĺ2ICHARDĺ(ARRINGTON ĺHOWEVER ĺDENOUNCESĺ THEĺüLMĺFORĺSIMILARĺREASONS %VENĺFORĺSCI ü ĺTHEĺCREATURES WALK AMONG USĺPLOTĺOFĺ4HEYĺ ,IVEĺISĺSOĺOLDĺITĺOUGHTĺTOĺBEĺCARBON DATEDĺ/H ĺSURE ĺDI RECTORĺ*OHNĺ#ARPENTERĺTROTSĺOUTĺTHEĺHEAVYĺARTILLERYĺOFĺSO CIOLOGICALĺCONTEXTĺANDĺPOLITICALĺIMPLICATION ĺBUTĺYOUĺDONlTĺ HAVEĺTOĺGETĺDEEPĺDOWNĺTOĺREALIZEĺHEĺHASNlTĺAĺCLUEĺWHATĺTOĺ DOĺWITHĺIT ĺORĺTHEĺTALENTĺTOĺBRINGĺITĺTOĺLIFEĺ)TlSĺMUCHĺLIKEĺTHEĺ #ARPENTER WRITTENĺ MUSICĺ FORĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ pĺ Aĺ BORING ĺ BARE BONESĺTWO NOTEĺBASSĺRIFFĺMASQUERADINGĺASĺAĺSOUNDTRACKĺ WITHOUTĺEVERĺAPPROACHINGĺAĺRESONANTĺCHORDĺ !ĺCERTIüABLEĺ#ARPENTER HATER ĺ(ARRINGTONĺACCUSESĺTHEĺDIRECTORĺ OFĺBEINGĺCLICHÀ ĺWHEREASĺ*OHNSTONĺAPPLAUDSĺHIMĺFORĺITĺ4HEĺ DIFFERENCEĺISĺ*OHNSTONĺSUGGESTSĺHEĺUSESĺCLICHÀSĺFORĺAĺCALCULAT EDĺANDĺSUCCESSFULLYĺRENDEREDĺPURPOSE ĺASĺOPPOSEDĺTOĺMEREĺ RECKLESSĺIDIOCYĺ0UTĺSIMPLY ĺSHEĺTHINKSĺ#ARPENTERĺKNOWSĺWHATĺ HElSĺDOINGĺANDĺDOESĺITĺWELL )NĺTHEĺEND ĺTHEĺPOLITICSĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺENSUREDĺMODESTĺSUC CESSĺWITHĺVIEWERSĺGIVENĺTHEĺSOCIALĺCLIMATEĺOFĺTHEĺYEARĺOFĺITSĺRE LEASEĺk$ISTRIBUTEDĺBYĺ5NIVERSAL ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺPREMIEREDĺSHORTLYĺ BEFOREĺ%LECTIONĺ$AYĺ ĺANDĺTHEĺTIMINGĺWASĺPERFECTĺ3INCEĺ #ARPENTERlSĺüLMĺWASĺPOLITICALĺINĺNATURE ĺITĺBENEüTEDĺFROMĺTHEĺ POLITICALĺ ATMOSPHEREĺ7ASĺ 'EORGEĺ "USHĺ ANĺ ALIENĺ7ASĺ $ANĺ 1UAYLEĺ!SĺAĺRESULTĺOFĺITSĺHUMOURĺANDĺGOODĺTIMING ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ WASĺ Aĺ BOXĺ OFüCEĺ HITlĺ -UIRĺ ĺ  ĺ %LECTEDĺ ASĺ PRESIDENTĺ 33

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Ronald Reagan: cowboy or alien?

ANDĺVICEĺPRESIDENTĺINĺ ĺ'EORGEĺ"USHĺ3RĺANDĺ$ANĺ1UAYLEĺ WEREĺTHEĺSUCCESSORSĺTOĺTHEĺ2EAGANĺADMINISTRATIONĺINĺWHICHĺ "USHĺ 3Rĺ SERVEDĺ ASĺ VICEĺ PRESIDENTĺ4HEĺ NEWĺ 2EPUBLICANĺ AD MINISTRATIONĺFURTHEREDĺITSĺANTECEDENTlSĺPOLICIESĺ4HEĺQUESTIONĺ POSEDĺBYĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺHOWEVER ĺSPEAKSĺMOREĺTOĺTHEĺRECENTĺPASTĺ THANĺTOĺTHEĺNEARĺFUTUREĺ7ASĺ2EAGANĺANĺALIENĺ4HEĺüGUREĺOFĺ 2EAGANĺISĺVITALĺTOĺTHISĺCONTEXTĺ!SĺAĺMOVIEĺSTARĺANDĺSYMBOLICĺ kCOWBOYlĺIEĺCONQUERORĺOFĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺWESTĺASĺDEPICTEDĺINĺ CINEMA ĺHEĺBELONGSĺTOĺTHEĺDREAMĺFACTORYĺOFĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺCUL TURE ĺANDĺHISĺEMERGENCEĺASĺBOURGEOISĺFATHERĺüGURE ĺPATRIARCH ĺ SAVIOURĺANDĺPUPPETMASTERĺHARMONISESĺWITHĺTHEĺINSTITUTIONĺOFĺ THEĺüLMlSĺCOLLECTIVE ĺCOVERTĺANTAGONISMĺ)NĺTHISĺCAPACITY ĺ#AR PENTERlSĺkREELĺPOLITIKlĺWORKSĺMOSTĺEFüCIENTLY ĺCOERCINGĺ!MERI CANSĺTOĺFACEĺTHEĺFEARSĺANDĺDESIRESĺEVOKEDĺBYĺTHEĺFORCESĺOFĺAĺ DUBIOUSĺHYPERCAPITALISTĺGOVERNMENTĺ4HEĺüLMĺEXPRESSESĺWHATĺ AĺLOTĺOFĺPEOPLEĺWEREĺTHINKINGĺBUTĺWEREĺAFRAIDĺTOĺSAY !ĺ SO CALLEDĺ REELĺ POLITIKĺ CLINCHESĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺ CULTĺ STATUSĺ ANDĺ IMPACTSĺ MANYĺ CULTĺ üLMSĺ !Sĺ %RNESTĺ -ATHIJSĺ ANDĺ 8AVIERĺ 34

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-ENDIKĺWRITEĺINĺ4HEĺ#ULTĺ&ILMĺ2EADER ĺk!ĺCOMMONĺTOOLĺINĺTHEĺ POLITICALLYĺINSPIREDĺCULTĺüLMĺISĺTHATĺOFĺDECONSTRUCTION ĺOFĺBREAK INGĺDOWNĺTHEĺCOHESIVENESSĺOFĺOFüCIALĺCULTUREĺBYĺEXPOSINGĺITSĺ INCOHERENCIESĺ ANDĺ PREJUDICES ĺ ANDĺ BYĺ CELEBRATINGĺ mLAPSES ĺ BREAKSĺ ANDĺ GAPSnĺ INĺ ITSĺ DISCOURSElĺ ĺ  ĺ4HEYĺ AREĺ NOTĺ TALKINGĺABOUTĺ$ERRIDIANĺDECONSTRUCTIONĺBUTĺRATHERĺNEWĺWAYSĺ OFĺSEEINGĺMADEĺPOSSIBLEĺBYĺTHEĺELIMINATIONĺOFĺOBJECTSĺOFĺCON SCIOUSNESSĺTHATĺHAVEĺBEENĺSOCIALLYĺCONSTRUCTEDĺINĺTHEĺCHARAC TERSĺANDĺTHEĺVIEWERS ĺAĺTASKĺTHATĺ#ARPENTERlSĺüLMĺPERFORMSĺ!ĺ REELĺPOLITIKĺISNlTĺENOUGH ĺTHOUGHĺpĺIFĺTHEĺüLMĺMERELYĺSERVEDĺASĺ AĺDRAMATICALLYĺSANCTIONEDĺANDĺPOTENTĺIDEOLOGICALĺPAMPHLET ĺITĺ WOULDĺBEĺSOMETHINGĺELSEĺ4HISĺGOESĺFORĺüLMSĺTHATĺFALLĺNEATLYĺ INTOĺ POPULARĺ SPECULATIVEĺ GENRES ĺ CULTĺ CINEMAlSĺ DEFAULTĺ TERRI TORY ĺANDĺOUTSIDEĺOFĺTHEMĺ)TĺWASĺTHEĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺPOLITI CALĺCOMMENTARYĺANDĺENTHUSIASTICĺSCHLOCKĺTHATĺSECUREDĺ4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺPOSITIVEĺVIEWERĺRECEPTIONĺ)ĺWILLĺEXPLOREĺTHEĺVARIABLESĺOFĺ THATĺSCHLOCKĺINĺTHEĺNEXTĺCHAPTERĺWHILEĺANALYSINGĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺ STRUCTUREĺ ANDĺ AESTHETICSĺ OFĺ WHATĺ REMAINSĺ #ARPENTERlSĺ MOSTĺ ALLEGORICALĺüLM 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ DIDĺ NOTĺ MEETĺ WITHĺ IMMEDIATEĺ COMMERCIALĺ SUC CESSĺ "UTĺ ITĺ RAKEDĺ INĺ   ĺ OVERĺ ITSĺ OPENINGĺ WEEKENDĺ pĺ.OVEMBERĺ ĺALMOSTĺĺMILLIONĺMOREĺTHANĺITĺCOSTĺTOĺ MAKE ĺANDĺITSĺüNALĺGROSSĺINĺTHEĺ5NITEDĺ3TATESĺWASĺ  ĺ )-$B ĺ4HEĺüLMĺISĺANĺUNEQUIVOCALĺCULTĺARTICULATIONĺANDĺITlSĺDIF üCULTĺ TOĺ BELIEVEĺ THATĺ #ARPENTERĺ MIGHTĺ HAVEĺ EXPECTEDĺ BETTERĺ RETURNSĺ0RIORĺTOĺTHEĺRELEASEĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺHEĺADMITTEDĺTREAD INGĺPRECARIOUSĺWATERSĺk)ĺRECOGNIZEĺTHEĺDANGERĺaĺ0EOPLEĺWHOĺ GOĺTOĺTHEĺMOVIESĺINĺVASTĺNUMBERSĺTHESEĺDAYSĺDONlTĺWANTĺTOĺ BEĺENLIGHTENEDĺ-YĺEDITORĺLEANEDĺOVERĺTOĺMEĺATĺAĺSCREENINGĺ OFĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺANDĺVERYĺSOFTLYĺSAID ĺk4HISĺISĺDIFFERENTĺFROMĺYOURĺ OTHERĺüLMSĺ4HISĺISĺAĺMESSAGEĺMOVIElĺ)ĺWHISPEREDĺBACK ĺk9EAH ĺ BUTĺDONlTĺTELLĺANYONElĺQUOTEDĺINĺ3WIRESĺĺ  %VENĺTHOUGH ĺLIKEĺ0RINCEĺOFĺ$ARKNESS ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺMADEĺMON EY ĺ THEĺ !LIVEĺ &ILMSĺ DEALĺ FELLĺ THROUGHĺ )Tĺ WOULDĺ BEĺ FOURĺ YEARSĺ 35

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BEFOREĺ#ARPENTERĺMADEĺANOTHERĺüLM ĺ-EMOIRSĺOFĺANĺ)NVISIBLEĺ -ANĺ ĺ4HISĺMARKEDĺAĺRETURNĺTOĺMAJORĺSTUDIOĺPRODUCTIONĺ 7ARNERĺ"ROS ĺWHICHĺMEANTĺAĺFORSAKINGĺOFĺTHEĺCREATIVEĺCON TROLĺTHATĺTHEĺDIRECTORĺSOĺDEEPLYĺCHERISHED ĺALONGĺWITHĺHISĺDIS TINCTIVEĺCULTĺÀLAN ĺANDĺHEĺONLYĺTOOKĺONĺTHEĺPROJECTĺAFTERĺAĺFALLOUTĺ BETWEENĺSTARĺ#HEVYĺ#HASEĺANDĺORIGINALĺDIRECTORĺ)VANĺ2EITMANĺ OFĺ'HOSTBUSTERSĺ ĺFAMEĺ4HEĺREASONĺFORĺTHEĺFOUR YEARĺGAPĺ kSHEERĺCREATIVEĺFATIGUElĺQUOTEDĺINĺ"OULENGERĺĺ ĺ(Eĺ ALSOĺWANTEDĺTOĺDEVOTEĺMOREĺTIMEĺTOĺHISĺYOUNGĺSONĺANDĺILLĺFA THERĺ!SĺFORĺ!LIVEĺ&ILMS ĺ#ARPENTERĺSAYS ĺk)ĺHADĺAĺDISPUTEĺWITHĺ 5NIVERSALĺATĺTHATĺTIME ĺSOĺ)ĺDIDNlTĺCOMPLETEĺTHEĺMOVIESĺ)ĺWASĺ SUPPOSEDĺTOĺHAVEĺMADElĺIBID ĺ4HEĺNATUREĺOFĺTHATĺDISPUTEĺHASĺ NEVERĺBEENĺDISCLOSED ĺBUTĺITĺLIKELYĺHADĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺ5NIVERSALlSĺ UNCEASINGĺRESOLVEĺTOĺkMAKEĺITĺONĺTHEĺCHEAPlĺQUOTEDĺINĺ"OU LENGERĺĺ  -EMOIRSĺ OFĺ ANĺ )NVISIBLEĺ -ANĺ CRASHEDĺ ANDĺ BURNEDĺ ATĺ THEĺ BOXĺOFüCEĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺONĺTHEĺOTHERĺHAND ĺDIDĺQUITEĺWELLĺANDĺ COMMANDSĺANĺĺCRITICALĺRATINGĺONĺ2OTTENĺ4OMATOESĺINĺCOM PARISONĺWITHĺ-EMOIRSĺOFĺANĺ)NVISIBLEĺ-ANlSĺPALTRYĺĺ!ĺ PREMIERĺ ONLINEĺ AGGREGATORĺ OFĺ CONTEMPORARYĺ MOVIEĺ REVIEWSĺ WRITTENĺ BETWEENĺ ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ PRESENT ĺ 2OTTENĺ 4OMATOESĺ SYNTHESISESĺ RATINGSĺ ANDĺ CRITICALĺ SENTIMENTSĺ ONĺ Aĺ kTOMATO METERlĺ &ORĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVE ĺ THEĺ TOMATOMETERĺ READSĺ k!ĺ POLITICALLYĺ SUBVERSIVEĺBLENDĺOFĺHORRORĺANDĺSCI ü ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺANĺUNDERRAT EDĺGENREĺüLMĺFROMĺ*OHNĺ#ARPENTERlĺ-OREOVER ĺITĺCOMMANDSĺ THEĺ THIRD HIGHESTĺ PERCENTAGEĺ INĺ #ARPENTERlSĺ üLMOGRAPHYĺ BE HINDĺ !SSAULTĺ ONĺ 0RECINCTĺ ĺ  ĺ ATĺ ĺ ANDĺ (ALLOWEENĺ  ĺATĺ ĺALMOSTĺUNHEARDĺOFĺNUMBERSĺONĺ2OTTENĺ4OMA TOESĺRARELYĺDOĺüLMSĺEXCEEDĺ ĺ4HEĺFEWĺCRITICSĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ KNOCKĺITĺFORĺTHEĺUSUALĺREASONSĺPOORĺEXECUTION ĺCRUMMYĺSPE CIALĺEFFECTS ĺBADĺACTING ĺMINDLESSĺANDĺEXCESSIVEĺVIOLENCE ĺETCĺ -OSTĺREVIEWERS ĺHOWEVER ĺAPPLAUDĺ#ARPENTERĺFORĺHISĺCAPACITYĺ FORĺFUSIONĺpĺTHEĺWAYĺHEĺINTEGRATESĺCOMEDYĺANDĺDRAMA ĺACTIONĺ ANDĺ INTELLECT ĺ THEĺ OLDĺ ANDĺ THEĺ NEW ĺ THEĺ COOLĺ ANDĺ THEĺ BARMYĺ 36

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4HEYĺMOREĺORĺLESSĺAGREEĺTHATĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺAĺkJUNKĺMOVIEl ĺBUTĺ ONEĺWITHĺSTYLE ĺINGENUITYĺANDĺSELF AWARENESSĺ.EW ĺYOUNGERĺ AUDIENCESĺ WHOĺ SEEĺ THEĺ üLMĺ FORĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ TIMEĺ AREĺ GENERALLYĺ OBLIVIOUSĺTOĺTHEĺHISTORICALĺANDĺPOLITICALĺCONTEXTĺTHATĺMADEĺITĺAĺ SUCCESSĺ7HATĺATTRACTSĺTHEMĺTOĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺANDĺWHATĺMAKESĺITĺ AĺCULTĺPHENOMENON ĺISĺWHATĺATTRACTSĺVIEWERSĺTOĺPROFESSIONALĺ WRESTLING ĺNOWĺANDĺINĺTHEĺPASTĺMISOGYNY ĺVIOLENCE ĺABSURDITY ĺ POLITICALĺINCORRECTNESSĺpĺANDĺAĺJOUISSANCEĺVISIBLEĺINĺTHEĺEXECU TIONĺOFĺTHESEĺTRAITSĺTHATĺEXTENDSĺFROMĺTHEĺBODYĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺTOĺ THEĺPSYCHEĺOFĺTHEĺAUDIENCE

37

4 THROUGH A PAIR OF CHEAP SUNGLASSES DARKLY SLIDING SOBRIQUETS /NĺTOPĺOFĺBEINGĺADAPTEDĺFROMĺAĺSTORYĺANDĺCOMIC ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ WASĺSHAPEDĺBYĺINPUTĺFROMĺCASTĺANDĺCREW ĺMUCHĺLIKEĺTHEĺPRO DUCTIONĺOFĺAĺ3HAKESPEAREANĺPLAY ĺIFĺWEĺAGREEĺWITHĺCRITICSĺWHOĺ CLAIMĺ THATĺ 3HAKESPEAREĺ DIDĺ NOTĺ WRITEĺ HISĺ PLAYSĺ HIMSELFĺ BUTĺ INĺTANDEMĺWITHĺFELLOWĺTHESPIANS ĺPLAYWRIGHTSĺANDĺSIDELINERS ĺ NOTWITHSTANDINGĺ HOWĺ THEĺ BARDĺ BOOTLEGGEDĺ HISĺ SCRIPTSĺ FROMĺ OLDERĺSOURCESĺ&ORĺHISĺPART ĺ#ARPENTERĺBOOTLEGGEDĺTHEĺWESTERNĺ ANDĺSITUATEDĺITĺINĺTHEĺPRESENTĺDAYĺ3TEVEĺ3WIRESĺSUMMARISESĺ THEĺWRITINGĺPROCESS #ARPENTERĺACQUIREDĺTHEĺüLMĺRIGHTSĺTOĺBOTHĺTHEĺSHORTĺSTORYĺ ANDĺTHEĺCOMIC BOOKĺADAPTATIONĺ(EĺTHENĺWROTEĺAĺSCREEN PLAYĺWHICHĺCOMBINEDĺ.ELSONlSĺBASICĺSTORYĺSITUATIONĺWITHĺ THEĺSTRUCTUREĺOFĺAĺCLASSICĺWESTERN ĺEXPANDINGĺITSĺPARAM ETERSĺTOĺACCOMMODATEĺHISĺINCREASINGĺALARMĺATĺTHEĺCOM MERCIALIZATIONĺOFĺPOPULARĺCULTUREĺANDĺTHEĺINSENSITIVITYĺOFĺ POLITICALĺINSTITUTIONSĺĺ 38

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Sĺ46ĺHADĺAĺNOTABLEĺINČUENCEĺONĺTHEĺDEVELOPMENTĺOFĺTHEĺ STORYĺk)ĺHADNlTĺWATCHEDĺMUCHĺTELEVISIONĺOVERĺTHEĺYEARS ĺBUTĺ)ĺ BEGANĺWATCHINGĺ46ĺAGAINl ĺ;#ARPENTER=ĺRECOUNTSĺk)ĺQUICKLYĺREAL IZEDĺTHATĺEVERYTHINGĺWEĺSEEĺISĺDESIGNEDĺTOĺSELLĺUSĺSOMETHINGlĺ QUOTEDĺINĺ3WIRESĺĺ ĺ)TĺISĺNOĺSURPRISEĺTHATĺACTUALĺ46Sĺ PLAYĺAĺSIGNIüCANTĺROLEĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺ5BIQUITOUSĺANDĺREVELATORY ĺ THEYĺREIFYĺTHEĺMEDIATISATIONĺANDĺCOMMODIüCATIONĺOFĺTHEĺBODY ĺ THEĺSELFĺANDĺIDENTITYĺ4HEĺIMAGERYĺANDĺCHARACTERSĺWEĺSEEĺONĺ 46SĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺPURVEYĺITSĺCENTRALĺCODESĺANDĺCRITIQUES #ARPENTERlSĺ APPROPRIATIONĺ OFĺ k&RANKĺ !RMITAGEl ĺ THEĺ NAMEĺ CREDITEDĺTOĺTHEĺSCREENWRITER ĺBUILDSĺUPONĺANDĺCALLSĺATTENTIONĺTOĺ THISĺLAYEREDĺMETHODĺOFĺNARRATIVEĺSCAFFOLDINGĺANDĺCONSTRUCTIONĺ )Tĺ ALSOĺ ENDORSESĺ THEĺ FUNDAMENTALĺ PROBLEMĺ OFĺ IDENTITYĺ EXPERI ENCEDĺBYĺTHEĺPROTAGONISTĺANDĺHISĺHUMANĺCOUNTERPARTS ĺWHOĺAREĺ SUBLIMINALLYĺAUTOMATISEDĺBYĺTHEĺALIENĺANTAGONISTSĺ.ADAĺLACKSĺ AĺNAMEĺASĺWELLĺASĺAĺHOMEĺANDĺHISTORYĺTHEĺINCREASINGĺVIOLENCEĺ HEĺINČICTSĺTHROUGHOUTĺTHEĺüLMĺISĺASĺMUCHĺAĺBITTERĺREVOLTĺAGAINSTĺ kNOTHINGNESSlĺASĺANĺATTEMPTĺTOĺESTABLISHĺAĺCONCRETEĺIDENTITY "ESIDESĺTHISĺMETA FUNCTION ĺ&RANKĺ!RMITAGEĺPAYSĺHOMAGEĺ TOĺ(0ĺ,OVECRAFT ĺONEĺOFĺ#ARPENTERlSĺFAVORITEĺAUTHORS ,IKEĺHISĺPREDECESSORĺk-ARTINĺ1UATERMASSlĺpĺTHEĺPENĺNAMEĺ #ARPENTERĺASSUMEDĺONĺ0RINCEĺOFĺ$ARKNESSĺTOĺHONORĺHISĺ DEBTĺTOĺ"RITISHĺAUTHORĺ.IGELĺ4HEĺ1UARTERMASSĺ8PERIMENT ĺ +NEALEĺpĺTHEĺSELECTIONĺOFĺk&RANKĺ!RMITAGElĺASĺAĺPSEUDO NYMĺINDICATESĺANOTHERĺINČUENCEĺONĺ#ARPENTERlSĺCAREERĺ!ĺ CHARACTERĺ INĺ (0ĺ ,OVECRAFTlSĺ CLASSICĺ STORYĺ k4HEĺ $UNWICHĺ (ORRORl ĺ!RMITAGEĺWASĺAĺSCIENTISTĺWHOĺBATTLEDĺANĺANCIENTĺ CREATUREĺREAWAKENEDĺaĺk,OVECRAFTĺWROTEĺABOUTĺTHEĺHID DENĺWORLD ĺTHEĺWORLDĺUNDERNEATHl ĺ#ARPENTERĺPOINTSĺOUTĺ (ISĺ STORIESĺ WEREĺ ABOUTĺ GODSĺ WHOĺ AREĺ REPRESSED ĺ WHOĺ WEREĺONCEĺONĺ%ARTHĺANDĺAREĺNOWĺCOMINGĺBACKĺ4HEĺWORLDĺ UNDERNEATHĺHASĺAĺGREATĺDEALĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺ4HEYĺ,IVElĺ3WIRESĺ ĺ ĺ 39

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#ARPENTERlSĺUSEĺOFĺTHEĺNAMEĺINTIMATELYĺCONNECTSĺTHEĺüLMĺ WITHĺ,OVECRAFTĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺOVERLYINGĺTHEMEĺkTHEĺWORLDĺUNDER NEATHl ĺANDĺAUTHORSHIPĺ,OVECRAFTĺWASĺAĺFORERUNNERĺOFĺkWEIRDĺ üCTIONlĺINĺTHEĺLATEĺNINETEENTHĺANDĺEARLYĺTWENTIETHĺCENTURIESĺ "YĺCONTEMPORARYĺSTANDARDS ĺWEIRDĺüCTIONĺOFĺTHISĺPERIODĺISĺNOTĺ TERRIBLYĺWEIRD ĺATĺLEASTĺGIVENĺTHEĺDREAMLIKEĺABSURDITIES ĺCORPO REALĺIMPOSSIBILITIESĺANDĺACAUSALĺSCENARIOSĺWEĺMIGHTĺSEEĺINĺTHEĺ üCTIONĺOFĺ.IKOLAIĺ'OGOL ĺ*ORGEĺ,UISĺ"ORGES ĺ)TALOĺ#ALVINOĺANDĺ 7ILLIAMĺ3ĺ"URROUGHS ĺALLĺOFĺWHOMĺWROTEĺNARRATIVESĺTHATĺBREAKĺ THEĺLAWSĺOFĺGENRE ĺCONVENTIONĺANDĺREPRESENTATIONĺ4RADITIONALĺ WEIRDĺ üCTIONĺ PREDATESĺ THEĺ NICHEĺ MARKETSĺ OFĺ SCIENCEĺ üCTION ĺ FANTASYĺANDĺHORRORĺYETĺCUSTOMARILYĺFALLSĺINTOĺTHESEĺGENRES ĺES PECIALLYĺ THEĺ LATTERĺ ,OVECRAFTĺ REFERREDĺ TOĺ HISĺ LITERARYĺ STYLEĺ ASĺ kCOSMICISMlĺOR ĺMOREĺBROADLY ĺkCOSMICĺHORRORlĺ)NĺTHESEĺNARRA TIVES ĺkTHEĺPROTAGONISTĺCOMESĺTOĺREALIZEĺTHATĺHEĺITĺISĺALMOSTĺ ALWAYSĺAĺmHEn ĺISĺAĺSMALLĺANDĺPUNYĺMEMBERĺOFĺAĺTRANSIENTĺANDĺ FRAGILEĺSPECIESĺPOISEDĺPERILOUSLYĺBEFOREĺNATURAL ĺSUPERNATURAL ĺ ORĺ EXTRATERRESTRIALĺ FORCESĺ THATĺ ATĺ ANYĺ TIMEĺ COULDĺ OVERWHELMĺ HIMĺANDĺALLĺOFĺHUMANITYlĺ#OLAVITOĺĺ ĺ.ADA ĺTHEN ĺISĺAĺ TYPICALĺ,OVECRAFTIANĺPROTAGONIST -AKINGĺ&RANKĺ!RMITAGEĺAĺCHARACTERĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺBUILDSĺAN OTHERĺLEVELĺOFĺSIGNIüCATIONĺINTOĺTHEĺNAMEĺ.OTĺSURPRISINGLY ĺHEĺ ISĺ THEĺ MOSTĺ COMPLEXĺ CHARACTER ĺ THEĺ LEASTĺ kBLACK AND WHITEl ĺ REPRESENTINGĺ ANĺ INTRICATEĺ RACIALĺ ANDĺ IDEOLOGICALĺ üSSUREĺ THATĺ IMPACTSĺTHEĺüCTIONALĺWORLDĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺANDĺTHEĺREALĺWORLDĺOFĺ Sĺ !MERICAĺ 0LAYEDĺ BYĺ +EITHĺ $AVID ĺ !RMITAGE ĺ Aĺ FORMERĺ $ETROITĺFACTORYĺWORKER ĺkBEFRIENDSlĺ.ADAĺIFĺWEĺCANĺCALLĺITĺTHATĺpĺ THEYĺNEVERĺREALLYĺLIKEĺEACHĺOTHER ĺONĺTHEĺCONSTRUCTIONĺJOBĺ.ADAĺ üNAGLESĺWHENĺHEĺARRIVESĺINĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺ4HEYĺSHAREĺTHEĺSAMEĺ CLASS ĺ BUTĺ THEYĺ POSSESSĺ CLEARĺ IDEOLOGICALĺ DIFFERENCESĺ !NDĺ THESEĺ DIFFERENCES ĺ THEĺ üLMĺ SUGGESTS ĺ AREĺ RACIALLYĺ GENERATEDĺ BYĺWHITEĺBOURGEOISĺCULTUREĺ)NĺANĺEARLYĺWALK AND TALKĺDIALOGUEĺ WITHĺ.ADA ĺ!RMITAGE ĺWHOĺMUSTĺKEEPĺAĺJOBĺTOĺSUPPORTĺAĺWIFEĺ ANDĺCHILDRENĺBACKĺINĺ-ICHIGAN ĺEXPRESSESĺUNBRIDLEDĺBITTERNESSĺ 40

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Frank Armitage explains the nature of capitalist reality to Nada.

ANDĺENMITYĺFORĺTHEĺRULINGĺELITEĺk4HEĺGOLDENĺRULEĺHEĺWHOĺHASĺ THEĺGOLDĺMAKESĺTHEĺRULEĺaĺ4HEYĺCLOSEĺONEĺMOREĺFACTORY ĺWEĺ SHOULDĺTAKEĺAĺSLEDGEĺTOĺONEĺOFĺTHEIRĺFANCYĺFOREIGNĺFUCKINlĺCARSĺ aĺĺ4HEĺWHOLEĺDEALlSĺLIKEĺSOMEĺKINDĺOFĺCRAZYĺGAMEĺ4HEYĺPUTĺ YOUĺATĺTHEĺSTARTINGĺLINE ĺANDĺTHEĺNAMEĺOFĺTHEĺGAMEĺISĺ-AKEĺ)Tĺ 4HROUGHĺ,IFEĺ/NLYĺEVERYONElSĺOUTĺFORĺTHEMSELVESĺANDĺLOOKINlĺ TOĺDOĺYOUĺINĺATĺTHEĺSAMEĺTIMEl ,ATER ĺ !RMITAGElSĺ DIALOGUEĺ BECOMESĺ OVERTLYĺ RACIALĺ &LUS TEREDĺ BYĺ .ADAlSĺ GROWINGĺ SUSPICIONSĺ ABOUTĺ THEĺ *USTICEVILLEĺ UNDERGROUND ĺHEĺSAYSĺk,EAVEĺITĺALONE ĺMANĺ)TĺAINlTĺNONEĺOFĺ MYĺ BUSINESSĺ!INlTĺ NONEĺ OFĺ YOURSĺ aĺ )ĺ GOTĺ Aĺ JOBĺ NOW ĺ ANDĺ )ĺ PLANĺONĺKEEPINlĺITĺ)lMĺWALKINlĺAĺWHITEĺLINEĺALLĺTHEĺTIMEĺ)ĺDONlTĺ BOTHERĺNOBODYĺNOBODYĺBOTHERSĺMEĺ9OUĺBETTERĺSTARTĺDOINlĺTHEĺ SAMEl k7HITEĺLINElSĺINĺTHEĺMIDDLEĺOFĺTHEĺROADl ĺREPLIESĺ.ADAĺGRAVELYĺ k4HATlSĺTHEĺWORSEĺPLACEĺTOĺDRIVEl !LLUDINGĺTOĺ&REDERICKĺ$OUGLASSlSĺĺESSAYĺk4HEĺ#OLORĺ,INElĺ ANDĺ7%"ĺ$Eĺ"OISlSĺEXTRAPOLATIONĺOFĺTHATĺESSAYĺINĺ4HEĺ3OULSĺ OFĺ"LACKĺ&OLKĺ ĺTHEĺREMARKĺINDICATESĺSYMPATHYĺFORĺ!RMIT AGEĺANDĺTHEĺRACIALĺBINARYĺTHATĺMARGINALISESĺHIMĺ"UTĺHISĺINITIAL ĺ PRO CAPITALISTĺ REMARKSĺ ALLYĺ HIMĺ WITHĺ WHITEĺ BOURGEOISĺ POWER ĺ IFĺONLYĺPSYCHOLOGICALLYĺk)ĺDELIVERĺAĺHARDĺDAYlSĺWORKĺFORĺMONEYĺ )ĺJUSTĺWANTĺTHEĺCHANCEĺ)TlLLĺCOMEĺ)ĺBELIEVEĺINĺ!MERICAĺ)ĺFOL 41

CULT O GRA PHIES

LOWĺ THEĺ RULESĺ %VERYBODYlSĺ GOTĺ THEIRĺ OWNĺ HARDĺ TIMESĺ THESEĺ DAYSlĺ4HEĺMOREĺTHEĺüLMĺPROGRESSES ĺTHEĺFURTHERĺ.ADAĺMOVESĺ AWAYĺ FROMĺ THISĺ SANGUINEĺ ATTITUDEĺ TOWARDSĺ THEĺ JADEDĺ SKEPTI CISMĺOFĺ!RMITAGE ĺORIGINALLYĺAĺFOILĺFORĺTHEĺPROTAGONISTĺWHOĺIL LUMINATESĺ HISĺ OPPOSITIONALĺ SELFĺ )Nĺ THEĺ END ĺ .ADAĺ UNDERGOESĺ ANĺIDEOLOGICALĺANDĺPERCEPTUALĺOVERHAUL ĺANDĺHEĺEMERGESĺASĺAĺ BECOMING !RMITAGEĺ4HISĺTRANSFORMATIONĺCORRESPONDSĺWITHĺHISĺ BECOMING 0IPERĺ ANDĺ THEĺ REALISATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ PSEUDO PSYCHOTICĺ VIOLENCEĺ ENACTEDĺ BYĺ 2ODDYĺ 0IPERlSĺ WRESTLINGĺ PERSONAĺ .ADAĺ ISĺAĺKINDĺOFĺTEMPLATEĺONTOĺWHICHĺOTHERĺIDENTITIESĺIMPRINTĺANDĺ EVOLVEĺTHEMSELVESĺ)NĺPOSTSTRUCTURALISTĺLINGO ĺHEĺISĺAĺSIGNIüERĺ THROUGHĺWHICHĺOTHERĺSIGNIüERSĺANDĺTHEIRĺCONNECTIVEĺSIGNIüEDS ĺ SLIDEĺ4HUSĺ .ADAĺ ASĺ SIGNIüERĺ ONLYĺ OPERATESĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ ME DIUMĺOFĺOTHERĺSIGNIüERSĺTHATĺUSEĺHIMĺASĺAĺMEDIUMĺTHEYĺLIVEĺ VIAĺ.ADA ĺ.ADAĺVIAĺTHEM ĺ!NDĺONEĺOFĺTHOSEĺSIGNIüERS ĺ&RANKĺ !RMITAGE ĺISĺAĺPOLYVALENTĺSOBRIQUETĺ!LLĺTHISĺVERIüESĺAĺPOSTMOD ERNĺCRISISĺOFĺIDENTITYĺpĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺANDĺINĺGENERALĺ)DENTITYĺISĺNOTĺ üXEDĺANDĺSTABLE ĺBUTĺUNüXED ĺUNSTABLE ĺCAPABLEĺOFĺCHANGE ĺOFĺ CONSTRUCTION ĺDESTRUCTIONĺANDĺRECONSTRUCTIONĺ)Nĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺTHEĺ CHRONICĺ VICISSITUDESĺ OFĺ IDENTITYĺ BOTHĺ ENLIVENĺ ANDĺ HORRIFYĺ CHAR ACTERSĺ,IKEWISEĺDOĺTHESEĺVICISSITUDESĺLEADĺTOĺTHEIRĺFREEDOM ĺ ENSLAVEMENTĺANDĺDEATH

ANYPLOT #OMBININGĺELEMENTSĺOFĺSCIENCEĺüCTIONĺANDĺTHEĺWESTERN ĺTHEĺ PLOTĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺAĺCONVENTIONALĺMASCULINEĺBREWĺSTRANGERĺ COMESĺTOĺTOWN ĺSTRANGERĺDETECTSĺSOMETHINGĺüSHYĺGOINGĺON ĺ STRANGERĺUNCOVERSĺTHEĺTRUTH ĺSTRANGERĺKICKSĺASSĺANDĺSAVESĺTHEĺ DAYĺ3OMEWHEREĺINĺTHEĺMIXĺISĺAĺLOVEĺINTEREST ĺUSUALLYĺAĺFEMMEĺ FATALEĺ ORĺ FEMMEĺ DOCILE ĺ ALMOSTĺ ALWAYSĺ Aĺ PATENTĺ SEXUALĺ OB JECTĺTOĺBEĺOGLEDĺANDĺFETISHISEDĺBYĺTHEĺMALEĺGAZEĺ7EĺSEEĺTHISĺ RECIPEĺLITERALLYĺINĺ(IGHĺ0LAINSĺ$RIFTERĺ ĺANDĺMETAPHORICALLYĺ INĺ 4HEĺ -ATRIXĺ  ĺ RESPECTIVEĺ HIGH GROSSINGĺ WESTERNĺ ANDĺ 42

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SCIENCEĺüCTIONĺGENREĺMOVIESĺALTHOUGHĺTHEĺLATTERĺALSOĺDRAWSĺ HEAVILYĺ ONĺ GUNSLINGINGĺ TROPES ĺ !Sĺ WITHĺ MUCHĺ CULTĺ CINEMA ĺ 4HEYĺ,IVElSĺkOTHERNESSlĺRESULTSĺFROMĺITSĺDUMBĺARTIüCESĺANDĺITSĺ PECULIARĺEXECUTIONSĺANDĺWEIRDĺDEVIATIONSĺFROMĺTHEĺFORMULA (ERElSĺANOTHERĺVERSIONĺOFĺTHEĺPLOTĺAFTERĺLOSINGĺHISĺJOBĺINĺ$EN VER ĺ#OLORADO ĺAĺPENNILESSĺITINERANTĺNAMEDĺ.ADAĺWHOĺISĺONLYĺ NAMEDĺINĺTHEĺCREDITS ĺGOESĺTOĺ,!ĺANDĺüNDSĺWORKĺINĺCONSTRUC TIONĺ(EĺDOESNlTĺHAVEĺANYWHEREĺTOĺSLEEPĺANDĺ&RANKĺ!RMITAGE ĺ AĺFELLOWĺCONSTRUCTIONĺWORKER ĺTAKESĺHIMĺTOĺAĺHOMELESSĺCAMP ĺ *USTICEVILLEĺ4HEREĺ ISĺ Aĺ SHORTĺ PERIODĺ OFĺ INACTIVITYĺ ANDĺ DIALOGUEĺ ABOUTĺSOCIALĺANDĺECONOMICĺBLIGHTĺ4HENĺ.ADAĺBEGINSĺTOĺNOTICEĺ CERTAINĺIRREGULARITIESĺ!ĺGROUPĺOFĺVAGRANTSĺDOĺSTRANGEĺTHINGSĺLATEĺ ATĺNIGHTĺINĺAĺNEARBYĺCHURCHĺ!RMITAGEĺTELLSĺHIMĺTOĺMINDĺHISĺOWNĺ BUSINESS ĺBUTĺ.ADAĺWONlTĺBEĺDERAILEDĺ(EĺDISCOVERSĺTHATĺ*US TICEVILLEĺ ISĺ Aĺ COVERĺ FORĺ Aĺ RESISTANCEĺ MOVEMENTĺ AGAINSTĺ Aĺ RACEĺ OFĺALIENSĺWHOĺHAVEĺINTERPOLATEDĺTHEMSELVESĺINTOĺEVERYDAYĺLIFEĺ ANDĺCONTROLĺHUMANĺPERCEPTIONĺANDĺIDEOLOGYĺVIAĺSUBLIMINALĺMES SAGESĺ.ADAĺGOESĺBALLISTICĺANDĺKILLSĺSEVERALĺALIENS ĺALLĺOFĺWHOMĺ THEĺHOODWINKEDĺMASSESĺTHINKĺAREĺHUMANĺ4HEĺMEDIAĺCHRISTENSĺ HIMĺAĺSERIALĺKILLERĺ(EĺKIDNAPSĺAĺWOMAN ĺ(OLLYĺ4HOMPSON ĺTHEĺ ASSISTANTĺPROGRAMĺDIRECTORĺATĺ#ABLEĺĺTELEVISIONĺNETWORKĺ3HEĺ ELUDESĺ HIMĺ .ADAĺ ANDĺ !RMITAGEĺ HAVEĺ ANĺ INTERMINABLYĺ LONGĺ CONVERSATIONĺDURINGĺWHICHĺ.ADAĺEXPLAINSĺHISĺACTIONSĺ4HEYĺJOINĺ THEĺRESISTANCE ĺBUTĺTHEĺALIENSĺHAVEĺBEENĺTIPPEDĺOFFĺASĺTOĺTHEIRĺ WHEREABOUTSĺANDĺEVERYBODYĺISĺBLOWNĺTOĺSHITĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMIT AGEĺESCAPEĺWITHĺTHEĺKNOWLEDGEĺTHATĺTHEĺDEVICEĺWHEREBYĺTHEĺ ALIENSĺEXERTĺCONTROLĺOVERĺHUMANSĺISĺAĺSATELLITEĺDISHĺONĺTHEĺROOFĺ OFĺTHEĺ#ABLEĺĺSKYSCRAPERĺ4HEYĺSHOOTĺTHEIRĺWAYĺTOĺTHEĺTOPĺ "OTHĺCHARACTERSĺAREĺKILLED ĺBUTĺNOTĺBEFOREĺTAKINGĺOUTĺTHEĺSATEL LITEĺ)NĺTHEĺEND ĺTHEĺALIENS ĺANDĺTHEĺTRUTH ĺAREĺREVEALED !SIDEĺFROMĺTHEĺIMPLICATIONĺTHATĺTHEĺENTIREĺWORLDĺISĺCONTROLLEDĺ BYĺONEĺSATELLITEĺPERCHEDĺATOPĺONEĺBUILDINGĺINĺ,OSĺ!NGELES ĺTHISĺ SOUNDSĺLIKEĺAĺFAIRLYĺSTANDARDĺANDĺkBELIEVABLElĺPLOTĺFORĺAĺSCIENCEĺ üCTIONĺüLM ĺONEĺTOĺWHICHĺBLOCKBUSTER TSARSĺ*ERRYĺ"RUCKHEIMERĺ 43

CULT O GRA PHIES

ORĺ -ICHAELĺ "AYĺ MIGHTĺ EASILYĺ ADMINISTERĺ THEIRĺ PRESCRIPTIONSĺ %VENĺ 0ETERĺ .ICHOLLS ĺ CO EDITORĺ OFĺ 4HEĺ %NCYCLOPAEDIAĺ OFĺ 3CI ENCEĺ&ICTION ĺCALLSĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺANĺkEXCELLENTĺFORMULAĺüLMlĺTHATĺ kSETTLESĺFORĺACTIONlĺĺ  "UTĺ)ĺHAVEĺLEFTĺOUTĺTHEĺGOODĺSTUFFĺ7HICHĺISĺTOĺSAY ĺTHEĺBADĺ STUFFĺ7HICHĺISĺTOĺSAY ĺTHEĺSTUFFĺTHATĺPLUGSĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺINTOĺTHEĺ OUTLETĺOFĺCULTĺCINEMA -YĺRENDERINGĺOFĺTHEĺPLOTĺDOESĺNOTĺACCOUNTĺFORĺ.ADAĺBEINGĺ PLAYEDĺBYĺAĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLERĺDISTINGUISHEDĺBYĺCORNYĺONE LINERSĺANDĺAWKWARD ĺDEADWOODĺACTINGĺEXCEPTĺWHENĺHEĺGETSĺ ANGRYĺ ANDĺ RAISESĺ HISĺ VOICE ĺ EMBRACINGĺ THEĺ BECOMING 0IPER ĺ AĺFREQUENTĺOCCURRENCE ĺ)ĺDIDĺNOTĺMENTIONĺTHATĺ(OLLYĺkELUDESlĺ .ADAĺ BYĺ ROUNDHOUSINGĺ HIMĺ OUTĺ OFĺ Aĺ THREE STORYĺ WINDOW ĺ ORĺ THATĺ .ADAĺ ANDĺ !RMITAGElSĺ kINTERMINABLYĺ LONGĺ CONVERSATIONlĺ ISĺAĺSEVEN AND A HALF MINUTEĺWRESTLINGĺMATCHĺCOMPLETEĺWITHĺ MAKESHIFTĺBACKBREAKERSĺANDĺSUPLEXES ĺORĺTHATĺTHEĺALIENSlĺFACES ĺ WAXĺSKULLSĺBENEATHĺINČATEDĺSĺHAIRDOS ĺLOOKĺUNSPEAKABLYĺ FAKEĺANDĺCHEESY ĺORĺTHATĺTHEĺALIENSĺPOSSESSĺ$ICKĺ4RACYĺWRIST WATCHES ĺ 2OLEXĺ KNOCKOFFSĺ THATĺ ALLOWĺ THEMĺ TOĺ COMMUNICATEĺ WITHĺONEĺANOTHERĺANDĺOPENĺDOORWAYSĺINĺTHEĺGROUND ĺORĺTHATĺ THEĺCONCLUSIONĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺPUNCTUATEDĺBYĺ.ADAlSĺMIDDLEĺ üNGER ĺGRATUITOUSĺNUDITYĺANDĺAĺRAWĺNARRATIVEĺLOOSEĺENDĺ-OSTĺ IMPORTANTLY ĺ )ĺ LEFTĺ OUTĺ THEĺ PROPĺ ONĺ WHICHĺ EVERYTHINGĺ HINGESĺ 7ITHOUTĺTHISĺPROP ĺWEĺMIGHTĺHAVEĺAĺVERYĺDIFFERENTĺüLM

MONOCHROMATIC ABERRATIONS 4HEĺCENTRALĺCULTĺARTIüCEĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺpĺWHATĺFACILITATESĺTHEĺNAR RATIVE ĺIMPELSĺAĺHERMENEUTICĺOFĺSUSPICIONĺANDĺCONTRIBUTESĺTOĺ ITSĺ " MOVIEĺ CACHÀĺ pĺ AREĺ THEĺ SUNGLASSESĺ ANDĺ LATERĺ THEĺ CON TACTĺLENSES ĺMANUFACTUREDĺBYĺTHEĺ*USTICEVILLEĺRESISTANCEĺTHATĺ PERMITĺ WEARERSĺ TOĺ PERCEIVEĺ REALITYĺ INĺ kBLACK AND WHITEl ĺ LITER ALLYĺANDĺüGURATIVELYĺORĺRATHER ĺLITERALLYĺBYĺWAYĺOFĺAĺüGURATIVEĺ PRETENCE ĺ4HEĺNAKEDĺEYEĺDOESĺNOTĺPERCEIVEĺREALITYĺINĺBLACK 44

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AND WHITE ĺ OFĺ COURSEĺ .ORĺ DOESĺ ITĺ VIEWĺ THEĺ WORLDĺ INĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ THROUGHĺ MOSTĺ SUNGLASSESĺ pĺ COLOURĺ DIMSĺ ORĺ ISĺ AL TEREDĺBUTĺREMAINSĺAPPARENTĺ#ARPENTERlSĺUSEĺOFĺMONOCHROMEĺ CAMERAWORKĺTOĺSIGNIFYĺTHEĺREALĺWORLDĺASĺMISPERCEIVEDĺBYĺTHEĺ HYPNOTISEDĺMASSESĺISĺANĺABERRATIONĺTHATĺONLYĺREALLYĺWORKSĺONĺ AĺMETA CRITICAL ĺTHEMATICĺLEVEL 4HEĺ7IZARDĺOFĺ/Zĺ ĺMAYĺBEĺTHEĺMOSTĺWIDELYĺRECOGNIZ ABLEĺCULTĺüLMĺINĺWHICHĺALTERATIONSĺINĺCOLOURĺPLAYĺAĺSIGNIüCANTĺ ROLEĺ5SEĺOFĺCOLOURĺDENOTESĺFANTASY ĺTHEĺBRIGHTLYĺSATURATEDĺ REALMĺ OFĺ $OROTHYlSĺ PATHOLOGICALĺ ANDĺ TIMELESSĺ DREAMSCAPE ĺ WHEREASĺTHEĺBLASÀĺRURALĺSĺDUSTBOWLĺSETTINGĺOFĺHERĺREALITYĺ APPEARSĺINĺSEPIA TONEDĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ#OLOURĺWORKSĺASĺANĺ AGENTIAL ĺ FABULOUSĺ ANDĺ IMAGINARYĺ COUNTERPOINTĺ TOĺ THEĺ kBLACK AND WHITElĺ HARDSHIPSĺ OFĺ POVERTY ĺ FARMĺ LIFE ĺ HAVINGĺ YOURĺ DOGĺ CONüSCATEDĺ BYĺ Aĺ MEANĺ OLDĺ LADY ĺ ANDĺ SOĺ ONĺ ,IKEWISEĺ DOESĺ COLOURĺMARKĺTHEĺREALMĺOFĺFANTASYĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺBUTĺFORĺAĺDIA METRICALLYĺOPPOSEDĺPURPOSE ĺDELIMITINGĺTHEĺMALIGNANTĺPATHO LOGICALĺ SPACEĺ CONSTRUCTEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ ALIENSĺ TOĺ MAINTAINĺ HUMANĺ SUBSERVIENCEĺ "LACK AND WHITEĺ MISE EN SCġNESĺ REPRESENTĺ AGENCY ĺ ATĺ LEASTĺ INSOFARĺ ASĺ THEYĺ REPRESENTĺ kTRUTHl ĺ Aĺ VISUALĺ SPACEĺWHEREĺSUBJECTSĺPERCEIVEĺREALITYĺFORĺWHATĺITĺIS ĺWHETHERĺ THEYĺLIKEĺWHATĺTHEYĺSEEĺORĺNOT ĺANDĺWHETHERĺWHATĺTHEYĺSEEĺISĺ kGOODlĺFORĺTHEMĺORĺNOT )NĺHISĺCREATIVEĺMONOGRAPHĺONĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺ*ONATHANĺ,ETHEMĺ WRITESĺk)Nĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺSCHEME ĺCOLORĺISĺLIES ĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ THEĺTRUTHĺ4HISĺLINKSĺTHEĺWORLDĺTHEĺaĺLENSESĺREVEALĺTOĺTHEĺ-ON OLITHĺ -ONSTERS ĺ THATĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ CREATURE FEATUREĺ MOVIEĺ SEENĺEARLIER ĺANDĺTOĺANĺERAĺOFĺSTRIPPED DOWNĺANDĺFORMALLYĺPUREĺ CINEMAĺ #ARPENTERĺ FEARSĺ ISĺ BEINGĺ OVERRUNĺ BYĺ THEĺ ETHOSĺ ANDĺ AESTHETICSĺ OFĺ THEĺ YUPPIE 2EAGANĺ Slĺ ĺ  ĺ &URTHER MORE ĺ THEĺ LENSESĺ OPENĺ Aĺ GATEWAYĺ TOĺ THEĺ PAST ĺ SERVINGĺ ASĺ Aĺ C ODEĺFORĺ#ARPENTERlSĺBELOVEDĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ" MOVIEĺSCI ü HORRORĺINČUENCESĺFROMĺTHEĺS ĺANDĺETCHINGĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺINTOĺ ANĺUNMISTAKABLEĺGENEALOGYĺOFĺ(OLLYWOODĺCINEMAĺ(ENCEĺTHEĺ 45

CULT O GRA PHIES

DIEGESISĺAVAILEDĺBYĺANDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺLENSESĺEXPOSESĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ ASĺAĺCONSTRUCTION ĺAĺPRODUCTĺOFĺüLMMAKINGĺBYĺAĺWRITERDIREC TORĺ!RMITAGE#ARPENTER ĺJUSTĺASĺTHEĺREALITYĺOFĺTHEĺCHARACTERSĺ THEREINĺ AREĺ CONSTRUCTEDĺ ANDĺ PRODUCEDĺ BYĺ kWRITERSDIRECTORSlĺ !LIENS ĺPRODUCTSĺOFĺ!RMITAGE#ARPENTER ĺ!NDĺTHEĺCHARACTERSĺ AREĺCONSTRUCTEDĺONĺTHEĺLEVELĺOFĺCOGNITIONĺASĺWELLĺASĺSOCIETYĺ ANDĺCULTUREĺ#OGNITIVELY ĺTHEIRĺPERCEPTIONĺISĺALTEREDĺANDĺTHEIRĺ THOUGHTSĺAREĺSUBLIMINALLYĺMANIPULATEDĺ3OCIALLYĺANDĺCULTURALLY ĺ THEYĺ AREĺ TRAINEDĺ TOĺ BECOMEĺ ARDENTĺ CAPITALISTĺ PRODUCERSĺ ANDĺ CONSUMERSĺpĺORĺTOĺATĺLEASTĺDESIREĺTHATĺSUBJECT POSITIONĺpĺAF FECTINGĺWHATĺTHEYĺDOĺINĺPRIVATEĺANDĺPUBLICĺSPHERES ĺINĺPERSONALĺ ANDĺPROFESSIONALĺLIFEĺ4HEĺüRSTĺINSTANCEĺOFĺCONSTRUCTIONĺENGEN DERSĺTHEĺSECOND ĺAĺMETAPHORĺFORĺADVANCEDĺCAPITALISMĺASĺITĺEX ISTSĺINĺTHEĺREAL ĺ7ESTERNĺWORLDĺ-EDIAĺIMAGERYĺTEACHESĺUSĺONĺ AĺDAILYĺBASISĺTHATĺCONSUMINGĺMERCHANDISE ĺSPENDINGĺMONEY ĺ INCREASINGĺDEBTĺISĺkGOODlĺANDĺTHATĺANYĺFORMĺOFĺECONOMICĺAS CETICISMĺORĺMEDIATIONĺISĺkBADlĺ(OWĺWEĺPAYĺFORĺANDĺACCUMU LATEĺANDĺABSORBĺOBJECTSĺENGINEERSĺIDEOLOGYĺANDĺIDENTITY 2OBERTĺ#UMBOWĺENHANCESĺTHEĺMETA REFERENTIALĺVALANCEĺOFĺ THEĺLENSES ĺIDENTIFYINGĺAĺKEYĺPARADOX 4HEREĺAREĺMOREĺLAYERSĺOFĺIRONYĺHERE ĺHOWEVERĺ4HEĺBLACK AND WHITEĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺNOTĺTRUEĺMONOCHROME ĺBUTĺCOLORĺ üLMĺFROMĺWHICHĺTHEĺCOLORĺHASĺBEENĺBLEDĺINĺPROCESSINGĺ)Nĺ THEĺOBJECTIVEĺSEQUENCESĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺWHATĺWEĺSEEĺISĺALSOĺ INĺCOLOR ĺSUGGESTINGĺTHATĺOURĺOWNĺPERCEPTIONĺREMAINSĺDE CEIVEDĺEVENĺWHEREĺ.ADAlSĺANDĺ&RANKlSĺISĺNOTĺ)NĺAĺWORLDĺ WHEREĺSEEINGĺaĺISĺAĺSYNONYMĺFORĺKNOWING ĺWElREĺBEINGĺ TOLDĺTHATĺWEĺKNOWĺNOTHINGĺ/RĺATĺLEASTĺTHATĺWEĺKNOWĺONLYĺ WHATĺSOMEĺOUTSIDEĺPOWERĺWANTSĺTOĺLETĺUSĺKNOW ĺWHICHĺ AMOUNTSĺTOĺTHEĺSAMEĺTHINGĺĺ 4HISĺ VIEWĺ SPEAKSĺ ASĺ MUCHĺ TOĺ THEĺ CHARACTERSĺ INĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ ASĺITĺDOESĺTOĺLATEĺCAPITALISTĺSUBJECTS ĺWHOĺAREĺPROCESSEDĺBYĺ 46

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THEĺCLOCKWORKĺOFĺDAILYĺLIFEĺUNAWAREĺOFĺTHEĺMEDIATISEDĺPATHOL OGYĺ THATĺ RE PRODUCESĺ THEIRĺ MINDSĺ ANDĺ BODIES ĺ ANDĺ WHOĺ AREĺ CONSTANTLYĺREMINDEDĺTHATĺTHEYĺkKNOWĺNOTHINGlĺBYĺANĺALWAYS ALREADYĺGROWINGĺARRAYĺOFĺSIGNAGEĺANDĺSCREENS !SĺWITHĺTHEĺPROTAGONISTSĺOFĺk%IGHTĺ/l#LOCKĺINĺTHEĺ-ORNINGlĺ ANDĺk.ADAl ĺkAWAKENEDlĺCHARACTERSĺAREĺSUBJECTEDĺTOĺLITERALĺSIGNSĺ OFĺTHEĺREALĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ4HEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺ.ADAĺSEESĺTHEĺWORLDĺAUĺ NATURELĺISĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺDOESĺ/NCEĺAGAIN ĺTHEĺ LENSESĺOFĺHISĺEYESĺCHANNELĺOURĺPERCEPTIONĺ(ISĺkWAKE UPĺCALLlĺ IMPLICATESĺ USĺ ASĺ VIEWERSVOYEURSĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLMICĺ DIEGESISĺ ANDĺ ASĺSUBJECTSĺOFĺTHEĺREAL WORLDĺDIEGESISĺYUPPIEĺ!MERICA ĺTHATĺ THEĺ üLMĺ CRITIQUESĺ /Nĺ THEĺ MORNINGĺ AFTERĺ Aĺ BRUTALĺ POLICEĺ RAIDĺ ONĺ*USTICEVILLE ĺ.ADAlSĺINSPECTIONĺOFĺTHEĺRAMPARTSĺpĺHEĺISĺAL WAYSĺINSPECTING ĺVIGILANTĺDESPITEĺHISĺIGNORANTĺOPTIMISMĺABOUTĺ k!MERICAlĺpĺLEADSĺHIMĺTOĺTHEĺCHURCHĺACROSSĺTHEĺSTREETĺ%ARLIERĺ HEĺHADĺSNOOPEDĺAROUNDĺTHEĺCHURCHĺANDĺDISCOVEREDĺITĺWASĺNOTĺ THEĺPLACEĺOFĺWORSHIPĺANDĺCHARITYĺTHATĺITĺPURPORTEDĺTOĺBEĺ4HEĺ HYMNSĺ ANDĺ INSTRUMENTSĺ OFĺ kCHOIRĺ PRACTICElĺ EMANATEĺ FROMĺ Aĺ TAPEĺRECORDERĺANDĺTHEĺINTERIORĺRESEMBLESĺAĺKINDĺOFĺMETHĺLAB ĺ WELL USEDĺBEAKERSĺANDĺTESTĺTUBESĺSCATTEREDĺACROSSĺAĺWOODENĺ WORKĺTABLE ĺBOXESĺSTACKEDĺEVERYWHERE ĺANDĺONĺAĺWALL ĺINĺGIANTĺ HAND PAINTEDĺ LETTERS ĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺ OMINOUSĺ THESISĺ4(%9ĺ ,)6% ĺ 7%ĺ3,%%0ĺ.ADAĺHEARSĺTHEĺLEADERSĺOFĺTHEĺRESISTANCEĺCHATTER INGĺABOUTĺkBREAKINGĺINĺONĺTOPĺOFĺTHEIRĺSIGNALlĺANDĺkSEND;ING=ĺTHEĺ SHIPMENTĺOUTĺONĺTHEĺSTREETlĺINĺTHEĺADJACENTĺCHAPELĺ!FTERĺTHEĺ RAID ĺEVERYTHINGĺANDĺEVERYONEĺISĺGONEĺTHEĺCHURCHĺHASĺBEENĺ RANSACKEDĺ ANDĺ CLEANEDĺ OUT ĺ THEĺ GRAFüTIĺ PAINTEDĺ OVERĺ .ADAĺ üNDSĺ Aĺ LEFTOVERĺ BOXĺ &EARINGĺ DETECTION ĺ HEĺ SMUGGLESĺ ITĺ INTOĺ THEĺCITYĺANDĺOPENSĺITĺINĺAĺDESERTEDĺALLEY 3UNGLASSESĺ2AYĺ"ANSĺ4HEĺKINDĺ4OMĺ#RUISEĺWEARSĺINĺ2ISKYĺ "USINESSĺ  #ONFUSED ĺ.ADAĺRIČESĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺBOX ĺBUTĺTHERElSĺNOTHINGĺ ELSE ĺSOĺHEĺTAKESĺAĺPAIR ĺSTASHESĺTHEĺBOXĺINĺAĺGARBAGEĺCANĺTOĺ RETRIEVEĺLATER ĺANDĺSTROLLSĺOUTĺOFĺTHEĺALLEYĺONTOĺAĺBUSYĺSTREET 47

CULT O GRA PHIES

(Eĺ LOOKSĺ LIKEĺ ANĺ OUTSIDER ĺ EVENĺ WITHOUTĺ THEĺ Sĺ MULLETĺ HAIRDOĺ4HEĺMENĺANDĺWOMENĺTHATĺPASSĺHIMĺONĺTHEĺSIDEWALKĺ WEARĺBUSINESSĺSUITSĺANDĺDRESSESĺ.ADA ĺINĺCONTRAST ĺHASĺONĺ HISĺ ONLYĺ OUTüTĺ DENIMĺ JEANSĺ ANDĺ Aĺ PLAIDĺ BUTTON DOWNĺ SHIRTĺ )MMEDIATELY ĺINĺTHISĺCOMMERCIALĺURBANĺSPACE ĺFASHIONĺESTAB LISHESĺCLASSĺDIFFERENCE (EĺPUTSĺONĺTHEĺSUNGLASSES (EĺTAKESĺTHEMĺOFFĺ4HISĺGOESĺONĺFORĺTHEĺNEXTĺMINUTEĺORĺSOĺ ASĺ.ADAĺSTRUGGLESĺWITHĺWHATĺHEĺSEES ĺCOMPARINGĺTHEĺCOLOUR FULĺIMAGINARYĺWITHĺBLACK AND WHITEĺREALITY )Nĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ REALITY ĺ IMAGESĺ AREĺ ABSENTĺ pĺ THEYĺ ONLYĺ EXISTĺ INĺ THEĺ üCTIONAL ĺ MEDIATISED ĺ CONSUMER CAPITALISTĺ MATRIXĺ SUPERVISEDĺBYĺTHEĺALIENSĺ"ILLBOARDS ĺROADĺSIGNS ĺBUSINESSĺLO GOS ĺ MAGAZINESĺ CONTAINĺ WORDSĺ ALONEĺ &ORMATTEDĺ INĺ Aĺ LARGE ĺ BOLD FACED ĺ PLAINĺ FONT ĺ THESEĺ WORDSĺ CONVEYĺ THEĺ SUBLIMINALĺ MESSAGESĺ THATĺ KEEPĺ HUMANSĺ ATĺ BAYĺ!PPROPRIATELY ĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ WORDĺREVEALEDĺTOĺ.ADAĺBENEATHĺAĺBILLBOARDĺADVERTISEMENTĺFORĺ AĺCOMPUTERĺSYSTEMĺSOLDĺBYĺk#ONTROLĺ$ATAlĺHINT HINT ĺISĺ/"%9ĺ 4HEĺ SECONDĺ MESSAGEĺ HEĺ VIEWSĺ ISĺ LESSĺ BLATANTĺ pĺ -!229ĺ !.$ĺ2%02/$5#%ĺpĺMASKEDĺBYĺAĺBILLBOARDĺONĺWHICHĺAĺLARGE BREASTEDĺWOMANĺINĺAĺBIKINIĺSUNBATHESĺINĺTHEĺOCEANĺSURFĺ(EADĺ TOSSEDĺ BACKWARDSĺ ANDĺ SHOULDERSĺ ARCHED ĺ THEĺ WOMANĺ LOOKSĺ VIRTUALLYĺ ORGASMICĺ Aĺ TROPICALĺ ISLANDĺ LOOMSĺ BEHINDĺ HER ĺ ANDĺ SCROLLEDĺACROSSĺTHEĺBLUEĺSKYĺkCOMEĺTOĺTHEĺaĺ#!22)""%!.lĺ 4HEĺ ADVERTISEMENTĺ ANDĺ ITSĺ HIDDENĺ LOGOSĺ SPEAKĺ TOĺ THEĺ ALPHAĺ MALEĺGAZEĺANDĺüNGERĺHUMANITYĺASĺAĺPATRIARCHAL ĺHETEROSEXUALĺ SPECIESĺ4HEĺALIENSĺREALISEĺTHAT ĺINĺORDERĺTOĺMARRYĺANDĺREPRO DUCE ĺ MALESĺ MUSTĺ TAKEĺ THEĺ INITIATIVEĺ pĺ THUSĺ THEĺ LUREĺ OFĺ THEĺ PROVERBIALĺHOTĺBABE .ADAĺ STAGGERSĺ DOWNĺ THEĺ SIDEWALKĺ ANDĺ CONTINUESĺ TOĺ DE CIPHERĺ SIGNAGEĺ /THERĺ MESSAGESĺ INCLUDEĺ ./ĺ ).$%0%. $%.4ĺ4(/5'(4 ĺ #/.35-% ĺ #/.&/2- ĺ 35"-)4 ĺ7/2+ĺ ĺ (/523 ĺ 3,%%0ĺ ĺ (/523 ĺ 0,!9ĺ ĺ (/523ĺ ANDĺ 34!9ĺ !3,%%0ĺ4HENĺ .ADAĺ CATCHESĺ Aĺ GLIMPSEĺ OFĺ ANĺ ALIENĺ SKULLĺ ANDĺ 48

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Nada sees the real world in black-and-white.

GOESĺAPESHITĺ4OĺVARYINGĺDEGREESĺANDĺINTENSITIES ĺHEĺCONTIN UESĺTOĺGOĺAPESHITĺUNTILĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺMANIFESTINGĺTHEĺ BECOMING 0IPER

TELEFISSION .ADAĺ ANDĺ THEĺ AUDIENCElSĺ VIEWĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ SUNGLASSESĺ POS ESĺ Aĺ PHILOSOPHICALĺ DILEMMAĺ ANDĺ ORCHESTRATESĺ Aĺ CRITIQUEĺ OFĺ POSTMODERNĺ CULTUREĺ )Nĺ SIMPLESTĺ TERMS ĺ THEĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ kWORD WORLDlĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺPOWERĺBELONGSĺTOĺSHEĺWHOĺCON TROLSĺLANGUAGEĺ)MAGERYĺpĺCAPITALISTĺIMAGERY ĺABOVEĺALL ĺWHICHĺ FACILITATESĺ THEĺ CONSUMPTIONĺ ANDĺ PRODUCTIONĺ OFĺ COMMODITIESĺ pĺISĺANĺEXTENSIONĺOFĺTHEĺ7ORDĺUSEDĺTOĺPATHOLOGISEĺSUBJECTSĺ ANDĺCONSTRUCTĺDOCILEĺBODIESĺHENCEĺIMAGE CULTUREĺCONSTITUTESĺ THEĺREALMĺOFĺSUBJUGATIONĺBYĺREPLICATINGĺITSELFĺ4HISĺBASICĺPOST MODERNĺTENETĺREACHESĺAĺCRESCENDOĺINĺTHEĺSEMBLANCEĺOFĺ46ĺ!Sĺ !RTHURĺ+ROKERĺANDĺ$AVIDĺ#OOKĺWRITE )NĺPOSTMODERNISTĺSOCIETY ĺITlSĺNOTĺ46ĺASĺAĺMIRRORĺOFĺSOCIETY ĺ BUTĺJUSTĺTHEĺREVERSEĺITlSĺSOCIETYĺASĺAĺMIRRORĺOFĺTELEVISIONĺ !NDĺITlSĺNOTĺ46ĺASĺAĺREČEXĺCOMMODITY FORM ĺBUTĺTHEĺCOM MODITY FORMĺ INĺ ITSĺ MOSTĺ ADVANCED ĺ ANDĺ EXHAUSTED ĺ EX PRESSIONĺüNALLYĺaĺASĺAĺPUREĺIMAGE SYSTEM ĺASĺAĺSPECTRALĺ 49

CULT O GRA PHIES

TELEVISIONĺIMAGEĺaĺ4ELEVISIONĺNOWĺISĺTHEĺREALĺWORLDĺOFĺAĺ POSTMODERNĺCULTUREĺWHOSEĺIDEOLOGYĺISĺENTERTAINMENTĺANDĺ THEĺSOCIETYĺOFĺTHEĺOBSCENEĺSPECTACLEĺWHOSEĺCULTUREĺISĺ DRIVENĺONWARDSĺBYĺTHEĺUNIVERSALIZATIONĺOFĺTHEĺCOMMODITY FORMĺaĺWHOSEĺMAJORĺFORMĺOFĺSOCIALĺCOHESIONĺISĺPROVIDEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ PSEUDO SOLIDARITIESĺ PSEUDO MEDIATIONS ĺ OFĺ ELEC TRONICĺTELEVISIONĺIMAGESĺWHOSEĺPUBLICĺISĺTHEĺDARK ĺSILENTĺ MASSĺOFĺVIEWERSĺWHO ĺASĺ*EANĺ"AUDRILLARDĺSAYS ĺAREĺNEVERĺ PERMITTEDĺTOĺSPEAKĺANDĺAĺMEDIAĺELITEĺWHICHĺISĺALLOWEDĺTOĺ SPEAKĺkBUTĺHASĺNOTHINGĺTOĺSAYlĺĺ ĺ +ROKERĺ ANDĺ #OOKĺ APTLYĺ REFERENCEĺ "AUDRILLARD ĺ WHOĺ THEORISESĺ THEĺRELATIONSHIPĺBETWEENĺTELEVISIONĺANDĺTHEĺHUMANĺCONDITION ĺ MAKINGĺAĺCASEĺFORĺTHEĺkTELEüSSIONlĺOFĺkTHEĺREALĺANDĺOFĺTHEĺREALĺ WORLDĺ BECAUSEĺ46ĺ ANDĺ INFORMATIONĺ INĺ GENERALĺ AREĺ Aĺ FORMĺ OFĺ CATASTROPHElĺĺ ĺ&OREMOSTĺAMONGĺSUCHĺCATASTROPHESĺ AREĺ THEĺ EFFECTSĺ OFĺ POSTMODERNĺ IMPLOSION ĺ Aĺ CONSEQUENCEĺ OFĺ IMAGE CULTUREĺ INĺ WHICHĺ ILLUSIONĺ BECOMESĺ INDISTINGUISHABLEĺ FROMĺREALITYĺANDĺTHEĺSIGNSĺOFĺTHEĺREALĺAREĺSUBSTITUTEDĺFORĺTHEĺ REALĺITSELF ĺRESULTINGĺINĺHYPERREALITY ĺTHEĺDOMINIONĺOFĺSEMANTICĺ RUINĺ&ORĺ"AUDRILLARD ĺPOSTMODERNITYĺANDĺTHEĺTWENTIETHĺCENTURYĺ AREĺ DEüNEDĺ BYĺ kTHEĺ IMMENSEĺ PROCESSĺ OFĺ THEĺ DESTRUCTIONĺ OFĺ MEANINGlĺĺ ĺINCITEDĺBYĺTHEĺFETISHISATIONĺOFĺCAPITALISTĺ MEDIAĺ ANDĺ THEĺ REIüCATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ SELFĺ ASĺ ELECTRONICĺ ANDĺ THUSĺ IMMORTAL ĺIMAGE 4HEREĺISĺAĺPERTINENTĺEXAMPLEĺOFĺTHISĺIDEAĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺTHATĺ OCCURSĺATĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺOFĺTHEĺMOVIE ĺONEĺNIGHTĺBEFOREĺ.ADAĺ HASĺFOUNDĺAĺJOBĺANDĺSETTLEDĺINĺTOĺ*USTICEVILLEĺ7ARMINGĺHIMSELFĺ BYĺ THEĺ ČAMESĺ OFĺ Aĺ BUMĺ üREĺ ASIDEĺ OTHERĺ HOMELESSĺ PEOPLE ĺ HEĺSEESĺSOMEBODYĺWATCHINGĺ46ĺTHROUGHĺAĺWINDOWĺACROSSĺANĺ ALLEYWAYĺ /NSCREENĺ Aĺ WOMANĺ INĺ Aĺ REDĺ DRESSĺ DISCUSSESĺ HERĺ INNERMOSTĺDESIRESĺWITHĺMELODRAMATICĺDELIGHT ĺCARESSINGĺHERĺ ARMSĺ ASĺ IFĺ TOĺ PROVEĺ THEYĺ EXISTĺ k3OMETIMES ĺ WHENĺ )ĺ WATCHĺ 46 ĺ)ĺSTOPĺBEINGĺMYSELFĺANDĺ)lMĺTHEĺSTARĺOFĺAĺSERIES ĺORĺ)ĺHAVEĺ 50

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MYĺOWNĺTALKĺSHOW ĺORĺ)lMĺONĺTHEĺNEWSĺGETTINGĺOUTĺOFĺAĺLIMOĺ ANDĺ GOINGĺ SOMEPLACEĺ IMPORTANTĺ!LLĺ )ĺ EVERĺ HAVEĺ TOĺ DOĺ ISĺ BEĺ FAMOUSĺ 0EOPLEĺ WATCHĺ ME ĺ ANDĺ THEYĺ LOVEĺ MEĺ !NDĺ )ĺ NEVER ĺ NEVERĺ GROWĺ OLDĺ !NDĺ )ĺ NEVERĺ DIElĺ7Eĺ DONlTĺ KNOWĺ WHOĺ THEĺ WOMANĺ SPEAKSĺ TOĺ #ONSIDERINGĺ THEĺ SOLIPSISTICĺ TENORĺ OFĺ HERĺ MONOLOGUE ĺ SHEĺ MIGHTĺ BEĺ SPEAKINGĺ TOĺ HERSELFĺ .ADAĺ STARESĺ ONĺCOLDLY ĺTHENĺSIGHSĺANDĺTURNSĺHISĺEYESĺTOĺAĺHELICOPTERĺTHATĺ ČUTTERSĺOVERHEAD 4HEĺ SCENEĺ UNDERSCORESĺ Aĺ MEDIAĺ PATHOLOGYĺ THATĺ REACHESĺ FURTHERĺ BACKĺ THANĺ +ROKER ĺ #OOKĺ ANDĺ "AUDRILLARDĺ !FüLIATESĺ OFĺ THEĺ&RANKFURTĺ3CHOOLĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺHALFĺOFĺTHEĺTWENTIETHĺCENTURYĺ POSITEDĺ THEĺ HUMANĺ SUBJECTĺ ASĺ ANĺ AFFECTATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLMĺ IN DUSTRY ĺBOTHĺASĺCAPITALISTĺENTERPRISEĺANDĺHARBINGERĺOFĺIMAGE CONSCIOUSNESSĺ)Nĺk4HEĺ7ORKĺOFĺ!RTĺINĺTHEĺ!GEĺOFĺ-ECHANICALĺ 2EPRODUCTIONl ĺFORĺINSTANCE ĺ7ALTERĺ"ENJAMINĺCLAIMSĺTHATĺkTHEĺ CULTĺOFĺTHEĺMOVIEĺSTAR ĺFOSTEREDĺBYĺTHEĺMONEYĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺIN DUSTRY ĺPRESERVESĺNOTĺTHEĺUNIQUEĺAURAĺOFĺTHEĺPERSONĺBUTĺTHEĺ mSPELLĺ OFĺ THEĺ PERSONALITY nĺ THEĺ PHONYĺ SPELLĺ OFĺ Aĺ COMMODITYlĺ ĺ  ĺ4HISĺ VERYĺ SPELLĺ BINDSĺ THEĺ WOMANĺ INĺ REDĺ )Nĺ AN OTHERĺPROMINENTĺ&RANKFURTĺ3CHOOLĺESSAY ĺk4HEĺ#ULTUREĺ)NDUS TRYĺ%NLIGHTENMENTĺASĺ-ASSĺ$ECEPTIONl ĺ-AXĺ(ORKHEIMERĺANDĺ 4HEODORĺ!DORNOĺANTICIPATEĺ"AUDRILLARDlSĺCONCEPTĺOFĺIMPLOSIONĺ BYĺ OVERĺ FORTYĺ YEARSĺ k2EALĺ LIFEĺ ISĺ BECOMINGĺ INDISTINGUISHABLEĺ FROMĺTHEĺMOVIESĺ4HEĺSOUNDĺüLM ĺFARĺSURPASSINGĺTHEĺTHEATREĺ OFĺ ILLUSION ĺ LEAVESĺ NOĺ ROOMĺ FORĺ IMAGINATIONĺ ORĺ REČECTIONĺ ONĺ THEĺ PARTĺ OFĺ THEĺ AUDIENCE ĺ WHOĺ ISĺ UNABLEĺ TOĺ RESPONDĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ STRUCTUREĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLM ĺ YETĺ DEVIATEĺ FROMĺ ITSĺ PRECISEĺ DETAILĺ WITHOUTĺLOSINGĺTHEĺTHREADĺOFĺTHEĺSTORYĺHENCEĺTHEĺüLMĺFORCESĺ ITSĺVICTIMSĺTOĺEQUATEĺITĺDIRECTLYĺWITHĺREALITYlĺĺ ĺ4HEĺ ONSETĺOFĺTELEVISIONĺMERELYĺACCELERATEDĺTHEĺPROCESS ĺkVICTIMIS INGlĺSUBJECTSĺBYĺCOMMODIFYINGĺANDĺDENATURALIZINGĺTHEMĺONĺAĺ ROUTINEĺANDĺINTIMATEĺBASIS )Nĺ THESEĺ TERMS ĺ THEĺ COLOUREDĺ FANTASYĺ WORLDĺ INĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ ANDĺ ITSĺ CORRESPONDINGĺ kNEGATIVEĺ EXPOSURElĺ CRITIQUEĺ CAPITALISTĺ 51

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IMAGE CULTUREĺANDĺILLUSTRATEĺAĺMASTERSLAVEĺDIALECTICĺ!ĺMETA PHYSICALĺPROBLEMĺARISESĺIFĺWEĺCONSIDERĺTHEĺNOTIONĺTHATĺREALITYĺ ISĺAĺMATTERĺOFĺPERCEPTION ĺWHETHERĺORĺNOTĺTHEĺPERCEIVEDĺOBJECTĺ ORĺSPACEĺISĺILLUSORY ĺSIMULATEDĺORĺPERVERTEDĺ)NĺTHISĺLIGHT ĺTHEĺ ALIENĺIMAGE WORLDĺISĺASĺEQUALLYĺkREALlĺASĺTHEĺkREALlĺWORD WORLDĺ !NDĺYETĺTECHNICALLYĺBOTHĺWORLDSĺAREĺkUNREALl ĺLITERALLYĺCONSTRUCT EDĺBYĺTHEĺRESPECTIVEĺTECHNOLOGIESĺOFĺSATELLITESĺANDĺEYEWEAR ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ LATTERĺ TECHNOLOGYĺ DOESĺ NOTĺ PRESENTĺ WHATĺ ISĺ SEENĺ INĺ ITSĺNATURALĺFORM ĺIFĺONLYĺBYĺROBBINGĺVIEWERSĺOFĺCOLOURĺ.OĺREALĺ WORLD ĺ THEN ĺ EXISTSĺ INĺ THEĺ WORLDS ĺ OFĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ k-EANINGlĺ EVAPORATESĺ THEĺ SIGNIüERĺ SIGNIüESĺ ANOTHERĺ SIGNIüERĺ *ACKEDĺ INTOĺ THEĺ MATRIXĺ OFĺ IMPLOSIONĺ ANDĺ HYPERREALITY ĺ .ADAlSĺ ANGERĺ ERUPTSĺINĺPARTĺFROMĺTHEĺTELEüSSUREĺOFĺTHISĺCENTRALĺPOSTMODERNĺ TRAUMA

LETHEM ON HOFFMEN 0REVIOUSLYĺ)ĺDISCUSSEDĺTHEĺCOMPLEXITYĺOFĺSIGNIüCATIONĺ#ARPEN TERĺATTACHESĺTOĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺWITHĺTHEĺNAMEĺk&RANKĺ!RMITAGElĺ(Eĺ DOESĺTHEĺSAMEĺWITHĺTHEĺk(OFFMANlĺLENSES ĺASĺTHEYĺAREĺCALLEDĺ BYĺTHEIRĺMAKERSĺ7HATĺEXACTLYĺTHEĺNAMEĺREFERENCESĺORĺALLUDESĺ TOĺISĺNEVERĺMADEĺCLEARĺ4HEREĺAREĺSEVERALĺPOSSIBILITIESĺ,ETHEMĺ DIVULGESĺTHREEĺINĺAĺCHAPTERĺENTITLEDĺk!SSORTEDĺ(OFFMENl 3OMEĺCOMMENTATORSĺONĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺCREDITĺk(OFFMANĺLENS ESlĺASĺAĺREFERENCEĺTOĺTHEĺACCIDENTALĺDISCOVERERĺOFĺLYSER GICĺACIDĺDIETHYLAMIDE ĺORĺ,3$ ĺTHEĺ3WISSĺCHEMISTĺ!LBERTĺ (OFFMANNĺ4HISĺ MAKESĺ ANĺ APPEALINGLYĺ HIPĺ REFERENCEĺ TOĺ MATTERSĺOFĺDELUSIONĺANDĺREVELATORYĺINSIGHTĺaĺ4HERElSĺAN OTHERĺ PRETTYĺ FUNĺ CANDIDATEĺ !BBIEĺ (OFFMAN ĺ SUBVERSIVEĺ YIPPIEĺ JESTERĺ ANDĺ FUGITIVE ĺ ANDĺ Aĺ PARAGONĺ OFĺ kUSĺ VERSUSĺ THEMlĺPOLITICALĺSTANCESĺaĺ)lDĺRATHERĺENDĺMYĺREPORTĺTHERE ĺ BUTĺ ACCORDINGĺ TOĺ THEĺ WEBSITEĺ 2EALNEWSCOM ĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺSUNGLASSESĺWEREĺNAMEDĺINĺHONORĺOFĺTHEĺHOLOCAUSTĺ 52

T HEY LIVE

DENIERĺ -ICHAELĺ (OFFMANĺ ))ĺ "RIEFĺ LESSONĺ FORĺ PARANOIACSĺ SETTINGĺ YOURĺ OPEN ENDEDĺ CONSPIRACYĺ METAPHORSĺ LOOSEĺ UPONĺTHEĺWORLD ĺTHEYĺBECOMEĺLIKEĺANYTHING ĺELIGIBLEĺFORĺ MANIFOLDĺ REPURPOSINGĺ &REEĺ YOURĺ MINDĺ ANDĺ ANĺ ASSĺ MAYĺ FOLLOWĺĺ %VERYĺREFERENCEĺPOINTĺHASĺVALIDITYĺRESPECTIVEĺTHEMESĺOFĺDELU SION ĺGOODĺVSĺEVILĺANDĺREVISIONISTĺHISTORYĺCOMPRISEĺTHEĺNARRA TIVEĺCENTREĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ,ETHEM ĺHOWEVER ĺHASĺMADEĺAĺCRUCIALĺ OMISSIONĺ (OFFMANĺ WASĺ Aĺ BRANDĺ OFĺ TELEVISIONĺ SETĺ MANUFAC TUREDĺINĺTHEĺSĺANDĺSĺ-OREOVER ĺITĺWASĺAMONGĺTHEĺ üRSTĺ46SĺTOĺPARTAKEĺINĺTHEĺTRANSITIONĺFROMĺBLACK AND WHITEĺTOĺ COLOURĺ BROADCASTINGĺ ANDĺ THEĺ4OURNAMENTĺ OFĺ 2OSESĺ 0ARADE ĺ kTHEĺ üRSTĺ PROLONGEDĺ PRESENTATIONĺ OFĺ COLORĺ VIDEOĺ UNDERĺ CIR CUMSTANCESĺWHERE ĺUNLIKEĺAĺSTUDIOĺSHOW ĺNEITHERĺLIGHTINGĺNORĺ MOVEMENTĺCOULDĺBEĺCONTROLLEDlĺ'OULDĺĺ ĺ'IVENĺTHEĺ PIVOTALĺüGURATIVEĺROLEĺOFĺ46SĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺTHISĺALLUSIONĺSEEMSĺTOĺ WORKĺMOSTĺEFüCIENTLY ĺPUNCTUATINGĺTHEĺMEDIATISEDĺPATHOLOGY PERCEPTIONĺ SUFFEREDĺ BYĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺ CHARACTERSĺ ANDĺ THEĺ LATEĺ CAPITALISTĺVIEWERSĺTHATĺWATCHĺTHEMĺ)NĺTHISĺINSTANCE ĺTELEVISIONĺ EQUATESĺDIRECTLYĺWITHĺTHEĺLENSESĺWHATĺWEĺWATCHĺCORRESPONDSĺ TOĺ WHATĺ ENABLESĺ USĺ TOĺ WATCHĺ ITĺ INĺ Aĺ PARTICULARĺ kCORRECTIVEl ĺ WAYĺ4HEĺIMAGE ORIENTEDĺPANICĺCULTUREĺSYMBOLISEDĺBYĺTHEĺPRO LIFERATIONĺOFĺ46SĺHASĺBLEDĺONTOĺTHEĺSUBJECT ĺONTOĺTHEĺCOGNITIVEĺ PROCESSESĺBYĺWHICHĺSHEĺSEESĺANDĺINTERPRETSĺ46 ĺANDĺTHEĺFORCEĺ WITHĺWHICHĺ46ĺINTERPELLATESĺTHEĺSELF 4HISĺBRINGSĺUSĺBACKĺTOĺ"AUDRILLARDĺ)Nĺ4HEĺ%CSTASYĺOFĺ#OM MUNICATION ĺAĺTREATISEĺONĺTHEĺSEDUCTIVEĺANDĺZOMBIFYINGĺPOWERSĺ OFĺTHEĺTECHNOLOGICALĺMAELSTROM ĺHEĺARGUESĺk4HEREĺISĺNOĺLONGERĺ ANYĺTRANSCENDENCEĺOFĺDEPTH ĺBUTĺONLYĺTHEĺIMMANENTĺSURFACEĺ OFĺOPERATIONSĺUNFOLDING ĺTHEĺSMOOTHĺANDĺFUNCTIONALĺSURFACEĺOFĺ COMMUNICATIONĺ)NĺTHEĺIMAGEĺOFĺTELEVISION ĺTHEĺMOSTĺBEAUTIFULĺ PROTOTYPICALĺOBJECTĺOFĺTHISĺNEWĺERA ĺTHEĺSURROUNDINGĺUNIVERSEĺ ANDĺOURĺVERYĺBODIESĺAREĺBECOMINGĺMONITORINGĺSCREENSlĺĺ 53

CULT O GRA PHIES

 ĺ .OTEĺ THATĺ THEĺ PUBLICATIONĺ OFĺ "AUDRILLARDlSĺ TEXTĺ INĺ %NGLISHĺ FALLSĺWITHINĺTHEĺSAMEĺYEARĺOFĺTHEĺRELEASEĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ)lMĺNOTĺ SUGGESTINGĺTHATĺ#ARPENTERĺWASĺPOINTINGĺTOĺORĺEVENĺAWAREĺOFĺ "AUDRILLARDĺUNLIKEĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺPRODIGALĺSON ĺ4HEĺ-ATRIX ĺTHEREĺ AREĺ NOĺ OVERTĺ REFERENCESĺ TOĺ HIMĺ "UTĺ THEĺ CORRELATIONĺ SEEMSĺ OBVIOUSĺ CONSIDERINGĺ THEĺ ANXIETYĺ THATĺ TYPIüEDĺ THEĺ ENDĺ OFĺ THEĺ Sĺ)Nĺ"AUDRILLARDIANĺLINGO ĺTHEĺ(OFFMANĺLENSESĺEXUDEĺTHISĺ ANXIETYĺASĺSYMBOLSĺFORĺTHEĺTRANSFORMATIONĺOFĺSUBJECTIVITYĺANDĺ THEĺBODYĺINTOĺOBJECTSĺOFĺINFECTIONĺTHATĺHAVEĺLOSTĺTHEIRĺPENCHANTĺ FORĺSPECTACLEĺANDĺTHEĺSOCIALĺANDĺPOLITICALĺTHEATREĺ4HEĺUPSHOTĺ OBSCENITYĺk7EĺNOĺLONGERĺPARTAKEĺINĺTHEĺDRAMAĺOFĺALIENATION ĺ BUTĺAREĺINĺTHEĺECSTASYĺOFĺCOMMUNICATIONĺ!NDĺTHISĺECSTASYĺISĺ OBSCENEĺ/BSCENEĺISĺTHATĺWHICHĺELIMINATESĺTHEĺGAZE ĺTHEĺIM AGEĺANDĺEVERYĺREPRESENTATIONlĺĺp ĺ"YĺREVEALINGĺTHEĺ kTRUTHl ĺBYĺPROVIDINGĺSUBJECTSĺWITHĺAĺkNEWlĺGAZE ĺTHEĺ(OFFMANĺ LENSESĺREIFYĺTHEĺkOLDlĺGAZE ĺTHEĺILLUSIONĺOFĺTELEüSSIONALĺREALITY ĺ ANDĺTHEĺDELUSIONĺOFĺPERCEPTIONĺASĺANĺINDIVIDUALĺCHOICE

IDEOLOGY AS REAL UNREALITY 7HENĺ+ARLĺ-ARXĺFAMOUSLYĺCALLSĺRELIGIONĺkTHEĺOPIUMĺOFĺTHEĺPEO PLEl ĺHEĺPOINTSĺTOĺTHEĺCONSTRUCTIONĺOFĺSUBJECTIVITYĺĺ ĺ &ORĺ-ARX ĺRELIGIONĺIMPARTSĺAĺFALSEĺHAPPINESSĺTOĺSUBJECTSĺWHOĺ CANNOTĺSEEĺTHEĺREALĺCONDITIONSĺOFĺTHEIRĺPATHOLOGICALĺCAPITALISTĺ EXISTENCEĺ!SĺkTHEĺSIGHĺOFĺTHEĺOPPRESSEDĺCREATUREl ĺRELIGIONĺISĺ AĺPROFOUNDĺSYSTEMĺOFĺSUBLIMATION ĺAĺDEFENCEĺMECHANISMĺBYĺ WHICHĺ LIFEĺ ISĺ MADEĺ LIVEABLEĺ (Eĺ VIESĺ FORĺ THEĺ ABOLITIONĺ OFĺ RELI GION ĺATĺLEASTĺASĺANĺINSTRUMENTĺOFĺCORROSIVEĺMYTHMAKING ĺBUTĺ HEĺAPPRECIATESĺTHEĺDIFüCULTYĺOFĺSUCHĺANĺEXPLOIT ĺRELIGIONĺBEINGĺ ANĺESSENTIALĺPARTĺOFĺCAPITALISTĺIDENTITYĺ/NEĺCANNOTĺREMOVEĺRE LIGIONĺWITHOUTĺREDEüNINGĺTHEĺSELF /VERĺAĺCENTURYĺLATER ĺ'UYĺ$EBORDĺAPPLIEDĺ-ARXlSĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺ RELIGIONĺTOĺTHEĺkSPECTACLEl ĺHISĺTERMĺFORĺkSOCIETYlSĺREALĺUNREALITYĺ )NĺALLĺITSĺSPECIüCĺMANIFESTATIONSĺpĺNEWSĺORĺPROPAGANDA ĺADVER 54

T HEY LIVE

TISINGĺOFĺTHEĺACTUALĺCONSUMPTIONĺOFĺENTERTAINMENTĺpĺTHEĺSPEC TACLEĺEPITOMIZESĺTHEĺPREVAILINGĺMODELĺOFĺSOCIALĺLIFElĺĺ ĺ (EĺEVENĺREFERSĺTOĺTHEĺSPECTACLEĺASĺAĺkPERMANENTĺOPIUMĺWARlĺ THATĺkAIMSĺTOĺMAKEĺPEOPLEĺIDENTIFYĺGOODSĺWITHĺCOMMODITIESĺ ANDĺSATISFACTIONĺWITHĺSURVIVALĺTHATĺINCREASESĺACCORDINGĺTOĺITSĺ OWNĺLAWSlĺĺ ĺ(EREĺTHEĺMAGNETIC ĺSUBLIMATINGĺPOWERĺ OFĺIMAGE CULTUREĺREPLACESĺTHATĺOFĺTHEĺ#HRISTIANĺGODĺSUBJECTSĺ TURNĺ THEIRĺ GAZESĺ ANDĺ DESIRESĺ TOWARDSĺ ELECTRONICĺ MEDIA ĺ THEĺ CULTĺOFĺCELEBRITY ĺMINDLESSĺCOMMODITY CONSUMPTIONĺANDĺNEWĺ TECHNOLOGIESĺOFĺMISPERCEPTION ĺENSURINGĺTHEIRĺCONTINUEDĺROLESĺ ONĺTHEĺSTAGEĺOFĺ&OREVER 4HEĺOVERWORLDĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺAĺkREALĺUNREALITYl ĺISĺAĺSPECTACULARĺ DIEGESISĺTHATĺOPERATESĺASĺAĺLITERALĺANDĺüGURATIVEĺMASSĺOPIATEĺ 4HEĺ SIGNALĺ DISSEMINATEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ ALIENSĺ RECONüGURESĺ HUMANĺ PERCEPTIONĺ ANDĺ PSYCHEĺ NOTĺ ONLYĺ DOESĺ ITĺ TRANSFORMĺ WHATĺ ISĺ SEEN ĺITĺTRANSFORMSĺTHEĺPROCESSĺOFĺTHINKINGĺANDĺCONSEQUENTLYĺ BEHAVIOURĺ INĺ PROPORTIONĺ TOĺ ANĺ EXPLICITĺ CAPITALISTĺ CODEĺ OFĺ ETH ICSĺ4HROUGHĺ CHRONICĺ HYPNOSIS ĺ THEĺ ALIENSĺ ADDICTĺ HUMANSĺ TOĺ CAPITALISTĺSERVITUDEĺ7HENĺTHEĺSIGNALĺISĺINTERRUPTED ĺHUMANSĺ EXPERIENCEĺ PHYSICALĺ WITHDRAWALĺ FROMĺ THEĺ DRUGĺ OFĺ SUBLIMINALĺ CONTROLĺASĺTHEYĺBEARĺWITNESSĺTOĺTHEĺUNDERWORLDĺ4HEĺ(OFFMANĺ LENSESĺ PRODUCEĺ THEĺ EFFECTĺ &ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ AFTERĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ TIMEĺ .ADAĺkUSESlĺFORĺANĺEXTENDEDĺPERIODĺANDĺTAKESĺTHEĺGLASSESĺOFF ĺ HEĺFEELSĺFATIGUEDĺANDĺDIZZYĺ(EĺHASĺJUSTĺKIDNAPPEDĺ(OLLYĺANDĺ FORCEDĺ HERĺ TOĺ DRIVEĺ HIMĺ TOĺ HERĺ APARTMENTĺ ATĺ GUNPOINTĺ 3LOT EYED ĺHEĺRECLINESĺINĺTHEĺPASSENGERlSĺSEATĺASĺIFĺPOUREDĺTHERE ĺ ANDĺWHENĺTHEYĺWALKĺINSIDE ĺHEĺGRASPSĺONTOĺ(OLLYlSĺELBOWĺFORĺ SUPPORTĺ &INALLYĺ HEĺ STAGGERSĺ TOĺ Aĺ COUCHĺ ANDĺ COLLAPSESĺ ONTOĺ THEĺ ČOORĺ k)TlSĺ LIKEĺ Aĺ DRUGl ĺ HEĺ PANTSĺ k4HESEĺ GLASSESĺ MAKESĺ YOUĺHIGH ĺBUTĺYOUĺCOMEĺDOWNĺHARDlĺ!CTUALLYĺTHEĺGLASSESĺDONlTĺ PRODUCEĺ THEĺ HIGHĺ4HEYĺ REMOVEĺ THEĺ EFFECTSĺ OFĺ Aĺ HIGHĺ THATĺ HASĺ BEENĺ INGRAINEDĺ INTOĺ THEĺ HUMANĺ SENSORIUMĺ ,IKEĺ HEROINĺ ADDICTS ĺ HUMANSĺ ONLYĺ FEELĺ kNORMALlĺ WHENĺ THEYĺ USEĺ THEĺ SUB STANCEĺ THATĺ THEIRĺ BODIESĺ ANDĺ MINDSĺ HAVEĺ BEENĺ CONDITIONEDĺ 55

CULT O GRA PHIES

Nada comes down hard from the drug-like effects of the Hoffman lenses.

TOĺ NEEDĺ -ETAPHORICALLYĺ THISĺ SUBSTANCEĺ ISĺ Aĺ kREALĺ UNREALITYl ĺ SOMETHINGĺ CONSTRUCTEDĺ THATĺ FEELSĺ AUTHENTICĺ4ECHNICALLYĺ ITĺ ISĺ THEĺELECTROMAGNETICĺWAVESĺTHATĺFABRICATEĺTHEĺMETAPHOR )FĺPEOPLEĺSTOPĺUSING ĺTHEYĺEXPERIENCEĺAGITATION ĺHEADACHES ĺ EXHAUSTION ĺMOODĺSWINGS ĺANDĺSOĺONĺ%VENĺTHEĺSLIGHTESTĺSTOP PAGEĺHURTSĺ%ARLIERĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺAĺCHARACTERĺCREDITEDĺONLYĺASĺkTHEĺ $RIFTERlĺ SITSĺ BENEATHĺ THEĺ STARSĺ WITHĺ ANOTHERĺ STOCKĺ CHARACTER ĺ k&AMILYĺ -ANl ĺ ANDĺ WATCHESĺ46ĺ pĺ Aĺ COMMERCIALĺ FORĺ PRESS ONĺ NAILSĺ FEATURINGĺ ANĺ ATTRACTIVEĺ BLONDEĺ WOMANĺ THATĺ NOTICEABLYĺ SOOTHESĺ ANDĺ PLEASESĺ THEĺ $RIFTERĺ4HEĺ FACEĺ OFĺ THEĺ RESISTANCEĺ k"EARDEDĺ -ANl ĺ INTERRUPTSĺ THEĺ BROADCASTĺ )MMEDIATELYĺ THEĺ VIEWERSĺ BECOMEĺ UPSET ĺ ANDĺ ASĺ "EARDEDĺ -ANĺ EXPLAINSĺ HOWĺ kWEĺAREĺLIVINGĺINĺANĺARTIüCIALLYĺINDUCEDĺSTATEĺOFĺCONSCIOUSNESSl ĺ THEĺ $RIFTERĺ BARKS ĺ k'ODDAMNĺ HACKERĺ4HATlSĺ THEĺ SECONDĺ TIMEĺ TONIGHTĺTHATĺASSHOLElSĺCUTĺIN
lĺ7INCING ĺ&AMILYĺ-ANĺMASSAGESĺ THEĺBACKĺOFĺHISĺNECKĺANDĺSAYS ĺk4HISĺTHINGlSĺGIVINGĺMEĺAĺHEAD ACHElĺk9EAH ĺTELLĺMEĺABOUTĺIT lĺREPLIESĺTHEĺ$RIFTER ĺRUBBINGĺHISĺ TEMPLEĺk-USTlVEĺTAKENĺTHEĺHACKERSĺMONTHSĺTOĺüGUREĺOUTĺHOWĺ TOĺDOĺTHISlĺ.ADAĺUNEASILYĺPINCHESĺTHEĺBRIDGEĺOFĺHISĺNOSEĺASĺHEĺ WALKSĺBYĺANDĺPAUSESĺTOĺHAVEĺAĺLOOKĺ"EARDEDĺ-ANlSĺRHETORICĺ ISĺPUNCTUATEDĺBYĺBURSTSĺOFĺSTATICĺTHATĺCONSTERNATEĺTHEĺONLOOK ERSĺ!TĺLASTĺTHEĺ$RIFTERĺGETSĺUPĺFROMĺHISĺTATTEREDĺARMCHAIRĺANDĺ CHANGESĺTHEĺCHANNEL ĺUNAWAREĺTHATĺTHEĺSOURCEĺOFĺTHEĺINTERRUP 56

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TIONĺCOMESĺFROMĺACROSSĺTHEĺSTREETĺINĺTHEĺCHURCHĺk"LOWĺITĺOUTĺ YOURĺASSlĺHEĺGROWLSĺWITHĺANĺAIRĺOFĺPRIDE ĺCERTIFYINGĺTHEĺREINSTAL LATIONĺOFĺTHEĺMASSĺOPIATEĺ/NĺTHISĺCHANNEL ĺWEĺSEEĺAĺSCENEĺ FROMĺTHEĺSLICKLYĺREFERENCEDĺPULPĺSCI üĺüLMĺ4HEĺ-ONOLITHĺ-ON STERSĺ  ĺ pĺ THEĺ ČEETINGĺ IMAGEĺ OFĺ GIGANTICĺ SPIRESĺ COLLAPS INGĺANDĺCRASHINGĺONTOĺTWOĺFARMHOUSESĺ4HEĺSCENEĺISĺINĺBLACK AND WHITE ĺWHEREASĺTHEĺADVERTISEMENTĺFORĺPRESS ONĺNAILSĺHADĺ BEENĺ INĺ COLOURĺ )Tĺ FORESHADOWSĺ .ADAlSĺ IMMINENTĺ AWAKENINGĺ VIAĺTHEĺ(OFFMANĺLENSES ĺWHICHĺDESTROYĺHISĺFORMERLYĺOPTIMISTICĺ ANDĺINNOCENTĺCONCEPTIONĺOFĺREALITYĺANDĺ!MERICA )Nĺ ADDITIONĺ TOĺ ITSĺ PSYCHOSOMATICĺ IMPACT ĺ THEĺ ALIENlSĺ SIGNALĺ HASĺ Aĺ RESONANTĺ THEORETICALĺ COMPONENTĺ 3PECIüCALLY ĺ THEĺ SIG NALĺpĺITSĺDEPLOYMENT ĺITSĺEFFECTSĺpĺMAKESĺAĺSTATEMENTĺABOUTĺ IDEOLOGY 4HEĺ THEMEĺ OFĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ aĺ ISĺ THEĺ NECESSITYĺ TOĺ SEEĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ OBFUSCATINGĺ HAZEĺ OFĺ DOMINANTĺ IDEOLOGYĺ )Nĺ THEĺSTORY ĺALIENSĺHAVEĺINüLTRATEDĺHUMANĺSOCIETYĺANDĺCON TROLĺ THEĺ MEDIA ĺ LITERALLYĺ CREATINGĺ WHATĺ &RANKFURTĺ 3CHOOLĺ THEORISTSĺWOULDĺCALLĺITSĺkFALSEĺCONSCIOUSNESSlĺENCODEDĺINĺ TELEVISIONĺSIGNALSĺTHATĺCREATE ĺACCORDINGĺTOĺAĺSUBVERSIVEĺ HACKER ĺ kANĺ ARTIüCIALLYĺ INDUCEDĺ STATEĺ OFĺ CONSCIOUSNESSĺ THATĺ RESEMBLESĺ SLEEPlĺ 0EOPLEĺ MUSTĺ WEARĺ SPECIALĺ SUN GLASSESĺ TOĺ BECOMEĺ AWAREĺ OFĺ THEĺ SUBTEXTUALĺ MESSAGESĺ OFĺTHEĺMEDIAĺTHATĺEXHORTĺUSĺTOĺBEĺHAPPY ĺREPRODUCEĺANDĺ CONSUMEĺ4HEĺüLMĺOFFERSĺANĺ!LTHUSSERIANĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺTHEĺ MASSĺ MEDIAĺ ASĺ )DEOLOGICALĺ 3TATEĺ !PPARATUSĺ kTHEYĺ LIVEĺ WEĺSLEEPl ĺANDĺTHEĺALIENSĺAREĺMONSTROUSĺONLYĺINSOFARĺASĺ WEĺRECOGNIZEĺTHEMĺASĺSMARTĺCAPITALISTSĺpĺTHEYĺARE ĺASĺONEĺ HUMANĺCOLLABORATORĺEXPLAINS ĺFREEĺENTERPRISERSĺFORĺWHOMĺ THEĺ%ARTHĺISĺkJUSTĺANOTHERĺDEVELOPINGĺPLANETĺ7ElREĺTHEIRĺ 4HIRDĺ7ORLDlĺ'RANTĺĺ ,OUISĺ !LTHUSSERĺ DEVELOPEDĺ HISĺ CONCEPTĺ OFĺ THEĺ )DEOLOGICALĺ 57

CULT O GRA PHIES

3TATEĺ !PPARATUSĺ )3! ĺ INĺ Aĺ SEMINALĺ ESSAYĺ üRSTĺ PUBLISHEDĺ INĺ  ĺ k)DEOLOGYĺ ANDĺ )DEOLOGICALĺ 3TATEĺ !PPARATUSESĺ .OTESĺ TOWARDSĺ ANĺ )NVESTIGATIONlĺ  ĺ )NČUENCEDĺ BYĺ -ARXĺ ANDĺ *ACQUESĺ ,ACAN ĺ HEĺ ARGUESĺ THATĺ )3!Sĺ SOCIALĺ INSTITUTIONSĺ LIKEĺ THEĺ CHURCH ĺ FAMILY ĺ MEDIA ĺ SCHOOLSĺ ANDĺ GOVERNMENT ĺ SUBJEC TIFYĺINDIVIDUALSĺTHROUGHĺAĺPROCESSĺCALLEDĺINTERPELLATION ĺBINDINGĺ THEMĺMATERIALLYĺANDĺPSYCHOLOGICALLYĺTOĺ)3!SĺWHETHERĺTHEYĺLIKEĺ ITĺORĺNOT ĺSINCEĺTHEĺEFFECTSĺOFĺ)3!SĺCANNOTĺBEĺEXTRACTEDĺFROMĺ DAILYĺLIFEĺ7EĺAREĺALWAYS ALREADYĺINTERPELLATEDĺBYĺIDEOLOGYĺ!NDĺ YETĺ IDEOLOGYĺ ISĺ ANĺ kILLUSIONALLUSIONl ĺ Aĺ kREPRESENTATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ IMAGINARYĺRELATIONSHIPĺOFĺINDIVIDUALSĺTOĺTHEIRĺREALĺCONDITIONSĺOFĺ EXISTENCElĺĺ ĺ)NĺOTHERĺWORDS ĺIDEOLOGYĺDISTORTSĺHOWĺ WEĺTHINKĺABOUTĺOURSELVESĺANDĺTHEĺCULTURALĺFORCESĺTHATĺPRODUCEĺ USĺ)TĺAPPEARSĺNATURALĺANDĺORGANICĺ"UTĺIDEOLOGYĺISĺAĺCONSTRUCTĺ THATĺONLYĺALLUDESĺTOĺTHEĺREALĺTHEREFOREĺIDEOLOGY ĺLIKEĺ$EBORDlSĺ SPECTACLE ĺISĺAĺkREALĺUNREALITYl ĺAĺFANTASYĺTHATĺREADY MADEĺSUB JECTSĺCOLLECTIVELYĺMISINTERPRETĺ7EĺCANlTĺESCAPEĺFROMĺIDEOLOGYĺ EITHERĺpĺITĺHASĺNOĺkOUTSIDEl ĺASĺTHEĺOUTSIDEĺISĺTHEĺINSIDE ĺANDĺ VICEĺVERSAĺk/NEĺOFĺTHEĺEFFECTSĺOFĺIDEOLOGYĺISĺTHEĺPRACTICALĺDEN EGATIONĺOFĺTHEĺIDEOLOGICALĺCHARACTERĺOFĺIDEOLOGYĺBYĺIDEOLOGYĺ IDEOLOGYĺNEVERĺSAYS ĺm)ĺAMĺIDEOLOGICALnlĺĺ ĺ4OĺDOĺSOĺ WOULDĺNECESSITATEĺAĺSUBJECT POSITIONĺOUTSIDEĺOFĺTHEĺSYSTEM ĺ ANĺIMPOSSIBILITY 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ ILLUMINATESĺ SEVERALĺ )3!S ĺ BUTĺ THEĺ DOMINANTĺ )3!ĺ BELONGSĺ TOĺ CAPITALISTĺ MEDIA ĺ THEĺ VEHICLEĺ WHEREBYĺ THEĺ ALIENSĺ kLIVElĺ ANDĺ HUMANSĺ kSLEEPlĺ7HENĺ HUMANSĺ PERCEIVEĺ THEĺ SUB LIMINALĺMESSAGESĺTHROUGHĺ(OFFMANĺLENSES ĺTHEYĺALSOĺPERCEIVEĺ THEĺ)3!ĺTHATĺINTERPELLATESĺTHEMĺ.OTĺLITERALLY ĺOFĺCOURSEĺpĺONEĺ CANNOTĺSEEĺAĺSYSTEMĺOFĺBELIEFSĺ2ATHER ĺTHEĺ(OFFMANĺLENSESĺ SPARKĺANĺEPISTEMOLOGICALĺAWAKENING ĺCREATINGĺANĺAWARENESSĺ OFĺTHEĺPOWERSĺTHATĺHAVEĺUSEDĺIDEOLOGYĺASĺAĺMEANSĺOFĺCONTROL ĺ SUBMISSIONĺANDĺSURVEILLANCEĺ-OSTĺOFĺALL ĺTHEYĺDRAWĺATTENTIONĺ TOĺCLASS ĺTHEĺFOREMOSTĺARCHITECTĺOFĺIDENTITYĺANDĺPERCEPTIONĺINĺ BOTHĺ THEĺ üLMĺ ANDĺ !LTHUSSERlSĺ THEORYĺ k7HATEVERĺ THEIRĺ FORMĺ 58

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RELIGIOUS ĺETHICAL ĺLEGAL ĺPOLITICAL ĺ;)3!S=ĺALWAYSĺEXPRESSĺCLASSĺ POSITIONSlĺĺ  !LTHUSSERĺCONCEPTUALISESĺIDEOLOGYĺASĺIMAGINARYĺANDĺSUBJEC TIFYINGĺ(EĺFURTHERĺCLAIMSĺTHATĺkIDEOLOGYĺHASĺNOĺHISTORYlĺIBID ĺ CONNECTINGĺ ITĺ WITHĺ &REUDlSĺ DEüNITIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ UNCONSCIOUSĺ ASĺ ETERNALĺ k)Fĺ ETERNALĺ MEANS ĺ NOTĺ TRANSCENDENTĺ TOĺ ALLĺ TEMPO RAL ĺ HISTORY ĺ BUTĺ OMNIPRESENT ĺ TRANS HISTORICALĺ ANDĺ THEREFOREĺ IMMUTABLEĺ INĺ FORMĺ THROUGHOUTĺ THEĺ EXTENTĺ OFĺ HISTORY ĺ )ĺ SHALLĺ ADOPTĺ&REUDlSĺEXPRESSIONĺWORDĺFORĺWORD ĺANDĺWRITEĺIDEOLOGYĺISĺ ETERNAL ĺEXACTLYĺLIKEĺTHEĺUNCONSCIOUSlĺĺ ĺ)Nĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺ THISĺIDEAĺMANIFESTSĺINĺTHEĺDOMINANTĺ)3! ĺWHICHĺLACKSĺANĺORIGINĺ NOBODYĺKNOWSĺWHENĺTHEĺALIENSĺüRSTĺABDUCTEDĺANDĺINSCRIBEDĺ HUMANĺPERCEPTION ĺBODIES ĺCULTURE ĺIDEOLOGYĺ&ORĺTHATĺMATTER ĺ NOBODYĺKNOWSĺWHEREĺTHEĺALIENSĺCAMEĺFROMĺ/NCEĺTHEĺTRUTHĺ ISĺUNCOVERED ĺ!RMITAGEĺASKSĺ.ADAĺk(OWĺLONGĺHAVEĺTHEYĺBEENĺ THERElĺ k7HOĺ KNOWS lĺ .ADAĺ REPLIESĺ k7HATĺ AREĺ THEYĺ7HEREĺ DIDĺ THEYĺ COMEĺ FROMlĺ k7ELL ĺ THEYĺ AINlTĺ FROMĺ #LEVELANDlĺ .A DAlSĺJIBEĺENRAGESĺ!RMITAGE ĺBUTĺHEĺSOONĺCONCLUDESĺk-AYBEĺ THEYlVEĺALWAYSĺBEENĺWITHĺUS ĺTHOSEĺTHINGSĺOUTĺTHEREl )FĺONLYĺFORĺLACKĺOFĺKNOWLEDGEĺANDĺHISTORY ĺTHEĺALIENSĺSIGNIFYĺ IDEOLOGYĺASĺUBIQUITOUSĺANDĺETERNALĺpĺASĺTHEĺkOUTSIDElĺIEĺTHEĺ kINSIDEl ĺ!RMITAGEĺANDĺ.ADAĺCONüRMĺTHISĺPROBLEMĺWHENĺTHEYĺ INüLTRATEĺ THEĺ ALIENĺ UNDERGROUNDĺ ANDĺ WITNESSĺ THEIRĺ METHODĺ OFĺTRANSPORTĺCOSMICĺTELEPORTATIONĺ5SHEREDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺUN DERGROUNDĺBYĺTHEĺ$RIFTER ĺWHOĺHASĺBECOMEĺANĺALIENĺFRIENDLYĺ ANDĺABANDONEDĺHISĺ*USTICEVILLEĺRAGSĺFORĺAĺSNAZZYĺTUX ĺTHEĺES TRANGEDĺDUOĺWATCHĺTWOĺüGURESĺINĺBUSINESSĺSUITSĺSTEPĺONTOĺAĺ PORTAL ĺONEĺATĺAĺTIMEĺ#ARRYINGĺLUGGAGE ĺTHEYĺDEMOLECULARISEĺ ANDĺBEAMĺINTOĺDEEPĺSPACEĺASĺPULSINGĺPOINTSĺOFĺLIGHTĺk)ĺDONlTĺ KNOWĺHOWĺITĺWORKSĺEXACTLY lĺTHEĺ$RIFTERĺSAYS ĺkBUTĺITĺHASĺTOĺDOĺ WITHĺ SOMEĺ SORTĺ OFĺ GRAVITATIONALĺ LENSĺ DEAL ĺ BENDINGĺ THEĺ LIGHTĺ ORĺSOMEĺDAMNĺTHINGĺ"UTĺYOUĺCANĺMOVEĺFROMĺPLACEĺTOĺPLACE ĺ WORLDĺ TOĺ WORLDĺ IFĺ YOUĺ WANTĺ TOĺ9OUĺ SEE ĺ THEĺ WHOLEĺ THING ĺ ITĺ WORKSĺLIKEĺONEĺBIGĺAIRPORTl 59

CULT O GRA PHIES

A bourgeois alien prepares for cosmic flight.

.ADAĺANDĺ!RMITAGEĺSTAREĺONĺINĺDISBELIEFĺ"UTĺTHEYĺANDĺWE ĺ ONLYĺLEARNĺHOWĺTHEĺALIENSĺMOVEĺpĺNOTĺWHEREĺTHEYĺCOMEĺFROM ĺ ORĺHOWĺLONGĺTHEYĺHAVEĺBEENĺONĺ%ARTHĺ4HEĺ$RIFTERĺDOESNlTĺCAREĺ ASĺLONGĺASĺHEĺCANĺPROüTĺFROMĺTHEMĺ4HEĺMORALĺTURPITUDEĺTHATĺ SOĺDEEPLYĺAFFECTSĺANDĺPROVOKESĺ.ADAĺHASĺNOĺINČUENCEĺONĺTHEĺ UPWARDLYĺMOBILEĺ$RIFTER ĺWHO ĺASĺAĺSELL OUTĺTOĺTHEĺALIENSĺANDĺ THUSĺTHEĺCAPITALISTĺSYSTEM ĺEXCLUSIVELYĺEQUATESĺIDENTITYĺWITHĺ ECONOMY ĺ DESPITEĺ BEINGĺ ENSLAVEDĺ k"OYS ĺ LEMMEĺ TELLĺ YA lĺ HEĺ DECLARES ĺkTHEYĺGOTĺTHEIRĺACTĺTOGETHERĺpĺBELIEVEĺYOUĺMElĺ4HISĺ VOTEĺ OFĺ CONüDENCE ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ $RIFTERlSĺ CONTENTEDĺ ANDĺ PROUDĺ TONE ĺ CORRELATESĺ WITHĺ HOWĺ MANYĺ 3OUTHERNĺ !MERICANĺ SLAVESĺ PERCEIVEDĺ THEIRĺ MASTERSĺ 3LAVESĺ WEREĺ ROBBEDĺ OFĺ ANĺ IDENTITYĺ pĺLEGALLY ĺSOCIALLY ĺüSCALLY ĺPSYCHOLOGICALLYĺpĺANDĺOFTENĺLIVEDĺVI CARIOUSLYĺTHROUGHĺTHEIRĺMASTERS ĺüGHTINGĺOVERĺWHOSEĺMASTERĺ BESTĺ HADĺ HISĺ kACTĺ TOGETHERlĺ4HEĺ $RIFTERlSĺ POSITIONĺ ISĺ NOTĺ FARĺ FROMĺTHISĺMANNERĺOFĺTHINKINGĺ4HATĺHEĺTALKSĺINĺAĺGOOD OLD BOYĺ 3OUTHERNĺDRAWLĺUNDERLINESĺTHEĺCORRELATION !LTHUSSERIANĺTHEORY ĺASĺWITHĺALLĺFORMSĺOFĺTHEORY ĺCANĺBEĺAP PLIEDĺ TOĺ ANYĺ TEXT ĺ INĺ ANYĺ MEDIUMĺ )ĺ WANTĺ TOĺ MAKEĺ THEĺ ARGU MENTĺTHATĺCULTĺüLMSĺAREĺEXCEPTIONALLYĺRIPEĺFORĺTHEORISATIONĺINĺ LIGHTĺOFĺTHEĺHYPERBOLICĺWAYSĺTHEYĺOFTENĺPARODY ĺSATIRISE ĺPOLITI CISEĺORĺSIMPLYĺREPRESENTĺTHEMESĺTHATĺCULTURALĺCRITICSĺENGAGEĺ pĺ NAMELYĺ CLASS ĺ GENDERĺ ANDĺ RACEĺ "Yĺ ABSENCEĺ ORĺ EMPHASIS ĺ 60

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THESEĺTHEMESĺCOMEĺTOĺBEARĺINĺMOSTĺCONTEMPORARYĺNARRATIVES ĺ WHATEVERĺTHEIRĺFORMĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺITALICISESĺANDĺEXAGGERATESĺALLĺ OFĺTHEM #ARPENTERĺ OPENLYĺ FOREGROUNDSĺ THEĺ ISSUEĺ OFĺ CLASS ĺ BUTĺ WEĺ ALSOĺSEEĺRACIALĺANDĺGENDERĺTREATMENTSĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺDEVELOP MENTĺOFĺRELATIONSHIPSĺBETWEENĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMITAGEĺANDĺ.ADAĺ ANDĺ(OLLYĺ-OREOVER ĺTHEĺCHARACTERSĺAREĺMARKEDĺASĺRACIALĺANDĺ GENDEREDĺBODIESĺBYĺDISCOURSEĺASĺMUCHĺASĺBYĺACTIONĺANDĺRE ACTIONĺ .ADAlSĺ PRECARIOUSĺ ONE LINERSĺ EXPOSEĺ HISĺ SUBJECTIVITYĺ 2ECALLĺHISĺCLAIMĺTHATĺkLIFElSĺAĺBITCHĺpĺANDĺSHElSĺBACKĺINĺHEAT lĺAĺ MASCULINISEDĺCRITIQUEĺTHATĺüRSTĺPROJECTSĺTHEĺDEMONĺOFĺFEMININ ITYĺ ONTOĺ THEĺ ENTIREĺ ONTOLOGICALĺ SPHERE ĺ ANDĺ THENĺ ANIMALISESĺ FEMININITYĺ ANDĺ ONTOLOGY ĺ LIKENINGĺ ITĺ TOĺ THEĺ WILESĺ OFĺ Aĺ MADĺ DOGĺ"YĺTHISĺLOGIC ĺTHEĺALIENSĺPOSEĺAĺTHREATĺTOĺWHITE ĺMASCU LINITY ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ THREATĺ ACTIVATESĺ .ADAĺ ASĺ "ECOMING 0IPERĺ7Eĺ MIGHTĺALSOĺSAYĺTHATĺRACIALĺANDĺCLASSĺTENSIONSĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺAREĺANĺ EFFECTĺOFĺTHEĺSAMEĺPROBLEMĺTHEYĺOCCURĺBECAUSEĺMASCULINITYĺ ISĺ PUTĺ INĺ JEOPARDY ĺ ANDĺ THEYĺ AREĺ EXACERBATEDĺ BECAUSEĺ MALEĺ SUBJECTSĺüGHTĺTOĺREGAINĺMASCULINITY .ADAĺpĺHISĺWORDS ĺHISĺACTIONS ĺHISĺIMAGEĺANDĺHISĺMETA TEX TUALĺRESONANCEĺpĺREPRESENTSĺTHEĺPHALLICĺCOREĺOFĺTHISĺGENDEREDĺ READINGĺ!NDĺ ITĺ ISĺ THROUGHĺ HISĺ PHALLICĺ COREĺ THATĺ VIEWERSĺ PER CEIVEĺ THEĺ WORLDĺ OFĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ .ADAĺ APPEARSĺ INĺ NEARLYĺ EVERYĺ SCENE ĺANDĺWITHĺAĺFEWĺEXCEPTIONSĺEGĺ!RMITAGEĺPUTTINGĺONĺ THEĺSUNGLASSESĺFORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIME ĺWEĺSEEĺTHINGSĺTHROUGHĺHISĺ EYESĺ7Eĺ EXPERIENCEĺ THEĺ LATTERĺ STAGESĺ OFĺ THEĺ PRODUCTIONĺ OFĺ .ADAĺASĺAĺGENDEREDĺCAPITALISTĺSUBJECTĺ"UTĺWHATĺAREĺTHEĺROOTSĺ OFĺHISĺPRODUCTIONĺ7HATĺAREĺTHEĺTRAUMATICĺKERNELSĺTHATĺCON TRIBUTEDĺTOĺHISĺADULTERATIONĺ4OĺüNDĺTHEĺANSWER ĺWEĺMUSTĺTURNĺ TOĺANOTHERĺIMPORTANTĺ)3!ĺTHEĺFAMILYĺ4HEĺWAYĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺDE PICTSĺTHEĺFAMILYĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺWEĺMAYĺBEĺVIEWINGĺTHEĺWISH FULüLMENTĺFANTASYĺOFĺAĺPATHOLOGICALĺSUBJECTĺWHOĺATTEMPTSĺTOĺ üLLĺAĺDIREĺLACKĺpĺAĺSCENARIOĺREČECTINGĺUPONĺTHEĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺ CONDITIONĺOFĺ.ADAĺANDĺTHEĺAUDIENCE 61

5 THE PATHOLOGICAL UNCONSCIOUS

PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE .ADAlSĺUPBRINGINGĺREVEALSĺAĺLOTĺABOUTĺHISĺCHARACTERĺ!NDĺYETĺ HISĺUPBRINGINGĺISĺHARDLYĺREVEALEDĺ3TILLĺHEĺISĺNOT ĺASĺHISĺNAMEĺ WOULDĺ HAVEĺ HIM ĺ kNOBODYlĺ (Eĺ HASĺ Aĺ HISTORYĺ THATĺ ACUTELYĺ IN FORMSĺTHEĺČOWSĺOFĺHISĺDESIRES 4HEREĺISĺONLYĺONEĺREFERENCEĺTOĺAĺMOTHERĺüGUREĺINĺAĺWISE CRACKĺUTTEREDĺDURINGĺ.ADAlSĺüRSTĺKILLINGĺSPREEĺ,EVELLINGĺAĺSHOT GUNĺATĺANĺALIENĺYUPPIEĺREPORTINGĺHIMĺINTOĺAĺWRISTWATCHĺRADIOĺ TRANSMITTER ĺHEĺSAYSĺk-AMAĺDONlTĺLIKEĺTATTLE TALESlĺ4HISĺMIGHTĺ SEEMĺ INSIGNIüCANTĺ #ERTAINLYĺ ITlSĺ Aĺ GOOFYĺ THINGĺ TOĺ SAYĺ !NDĺ THATlSĺTHEĺPOINTĺPROTAGONISTSĺCASTĺINĺTHEĺMOULDĺOFĺ(OLLYWOODĺ ACTIONĺ HEROES ĺ EVENĺ INĺ CULTĺ üLMS ĺ AREĺ NOTHINGĺ WITHOUTĺ THEIRĺ BANALĺWITTICISMSĺ"UTĺTHEĺREMARKĺSEEMSĺMOREĺEVOCATIVEĺTHANĺ OTHERS ĺSUGGESTINGĺTHATĺ.ADAlSĺMOTHER ĺORĺMOTHERSĺINĺGENERAL ĺ AREĺ SCORNFULĺ OFĺ CERTAINĺ BEHAVIOURĺ (EREĺ WEĺ HAVEĺ Aĺ NEGATIVEĺ PORTRAYALĺOFĺTHEĺMOTHERĺüGUREĺ!ND ĺAGAIN ĺTHEĺONLYĺPORTRAYALĺ -ATERNALĺLACKĺDEüNESĺAĺKEYĺCOORDINATEĺOFĺ.ADAlSĺPARENTALĺTRI 62

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ANGULATIONĺ4HEĺLACKĺMAKESĺSENSEĺ)TĺISĺALSOĺNECESSARYĺ6IOLENTĺ ANDĺHYPERMASCULINE ĺ.ADAĺISĺTHEĺPRODUCTĺOFĺANĺABUSIVEĺFATHERĺ )NĺTHEĺBROADERĺSPECTRUM ĺHEĺISĺAĺSYMPTOMĺOFĺANĺOPPRESSIVEĺ ANDĺREPRESSING ĺPATRIARCHY &ORĺ.ADA ĺTHEĺFATHERĺüGUREĺTAKESĺTHREEĺFORMS ĺALLĺOFĺWHICHĺ FAILĺHIMĺ&IRSTĺHISĺACTUALĺPARENTĺ3ECONDĺTHEĺALIENSĺ&INALLY ĺBYĺ EXTENSIONĺ!MERICAĺITSELF $OGGOĺ WITHĺ !RMITAGE ĺ .ADAĺ DRINKSĺ BEERĺ ANDĺ REMINISCESĺ ABOUTĺTHEĺCRUELTYĺOFĺHISĺFATHER !ĺLONGĺTIMEĺAGO ĺTHINGSĺWEREĺDIFFERENTĺ-YĺOLDĺDADDY ĺHEĺ TOOKĺMEĺDOWNĺTOĺTHEĺRIVER ĺKICKEDĺMYĺASS ĺTOLDĺMEĺABOUTĺ THEĺPOWERĺANDĺTHEĺGLORYĺ)ĺWASĺSAVEDĺ(EĺCHANGEDĺWHENĺ )ĺWASĺLITTLEĺ4URNEDĺMEANĺ3TARTEDĺTEARINGĺATĺMEĺ3Oĺ)ĺRANĺ AWAYĺWHENĺ)ĺWASĺTHIRTEENĺ4RIEDĺTOĺCUTĺMEĺONCEĺ"IGĺOLDĺ RAZORĺBLADEĺ(ELDĺITĺUPĺAGAINSTĺMYĺTHROATĺ)ĺSAID ĺk$ADDY ĺ PLEASElĺ )Tĺ JUSTĺ KEPTĺ MOVINGĺ BACKĺ ANDĺ FORTH ĺ LIKEĺ HEĺ WASĺ SAWINGĺDOWNĺAĺLITTLEĺTREE .ADAlSĺBACKSTORYĺLEADSĺ!RMITAGEĺTOĺASSOCIATEĺHISĺFATHERĺWITHĺ THEĺALIENS ĺWONDERINGĺIFĺTHEYĺAREĺMEREĺSADISTSĺWHOĺTHRIVEĺONĺ kSEEINGĺ USĺ HATEĺ EACHĺ OTHER ĺ WATCHINGĺ USĺ KILLĺ EACHĺ OTHERĺ OFF ĺ FEEDINGĺONĺOURĺOWNĺCOLDĺFUCKINlĺHEARTSlĺ(ISĺFACEĺAĺMASKĺOFĺ STONE ĺ.ADAĺREPLIES ĺk7ELLĺ)ĺGOTĺNEWSĺFORĺlEMĺ4HERElSĺGONNAĺ BEĺHELLĺTOĺPAYĺ#UZĺ)ĺAINlTĺDADDYlSĺLITTLEĺBOYĺNOĺMOREl (ISĺFATHERĺREMAINSĺELUSIVEĺ$IDĺHEĺBAPTISEĺ.ADAĺINĺTHEĺRIVER ĺ ANDĺWASĺHEĺAĺPREACHERĺ/RĺISĺTHISĺIMAGEĺAĺMETAPHORĺFORĺHISĺ CHARACTERĺ7HATĺKINDĺOFĺMETAPHORĺ7HATĺMADEĺHIMĺCHANGEĺ INTOĺANĺOSTENSIBLEĺSADISTĺ7HYĺDIDĺHEĺkKICKĺHISĺASSlĺBEFOREĺTHEĺ CHANGEĺ7HATEVERĺTHEĺANSWERSĺTOĺTHESEĺQUESTIONS ĺTHEĺPOINTĺ ISĺCLEARĺ$ADDYĺTRAUMATISEDĺ.ADA ĺPHYSICALLYĺANDĺPSYCHOLOGI CALLY ĺFORCINGĺHIMĺTOĺMAKEĺHISĺOWNĺWAYĺFROMĺAĺYOUNGĺAGEĺINĺ AĺPATRIARCHAL ĺDOG EAT DOGĺWORLDĺ.ADAĺEMERGESĺASĺTHEĺSYM BOLICĺRESIDUEĺOFĺAĺFAMILIALĺLACKĺ7HATĺLITTLEĺPARENTALĺGUIDANCEĺHEĺ 63

CULT O GRA PHIES

RECEIVED ĺIFĺONLYĺMNE MONICALLY ĺ WASĺ NEGA TIVEĺANDĺVIOLENTĺ(EREĺ ISĺ ANOTHERĺ REASONĺ WHYĺ k2OWDYlĺ 2ODDYĺ 0IPERĺSERVESĺ#ARPEN TERĺSOĺWELLĺINĺTHISĺROLEĺ HISĺVIOLENTĺHISTORYĺASĺ Aĺ PROFESSIONALĺ WRES TLERĺpĺFAMILIARĺTOĺMOSTĺ VIEWERSĺ INĺ THEĺ LATEĺ In the worst possible taste, Piper blindsides Fijian wrestler Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Sĺ pĺ IMMEDIATELYĺ Snuka on an episode of ‘Piper’s Pit’, INFORMSĺ THEĺ CHARAC nailing him on the head with a coconut. TERĺ %VENĺ BEFOREĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺ CENTRALĺ CONČICTĺ GAINSĺ MOMENTUM ĺ .ADA 0IPERĺ SEEMSĺ ONĺ THEĺ EDGE ĺ LIKEĺAĺVIPER ĺALWAYSĺABOUTĺTOĺSTRIKEĺORĺEXPLODE ĺJUSTĺASĺHEĺDIDĺ ONĺSCORESĺOFĺOCCASIONSĺINĺk0IPERlSĺ0ITl ĺLURINGĺHISĺGUESTSĺINTOĺ THINKINGĺHEĺWASĺTHEIRĺFRIEND ĺANDĺTHEN ĺWHENĺTHEYĺLETĺDOWNĺ THEIRĺGUARD ĺBLINDSIDINGĺTHEM ĺPULVERIZINGĺTHEMĺpĺINJECTINGĺTHEĺ VENOMĺ !Sĺ Aĺ RESULT ĺ HISĺ SCREENĺ PRESENCEĺ INSTILSĺ Aĺ CONSTANTĺ ANXIETYĺ INĺ VIEWERS ĺ FROMĺ THEĺ MOMENTĺ WEĺ SEEĺ HIMĺ WALKINGĺ THEĺSTREETSĺATĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺTOĺHISĺLASTĺREBELLIOUSĺ BREATHSĺATĺTHEĺEND k)ĺ AINlTĺ DADDYlSĺ LITTLEĺ BOYĺ NOĺ MORElĺ pĺ THEĺ THESISĺ OFĺ .ADAlSĺ BACKSTORYĺISĺPARADOXICALĺ)NĺFACT ĺ.ADAĺISĺHISĺFATHERlSĺLITTLEĺBOYĺ 3HAPEDĺBYĺAĺMALICIOUSĺVIOLENCEĺANDĺSUBSEQUENTĺABSENCE ĺHEĺ ALWAYSĺWILLĺBEĺ)Nĺ,ACANIANĺDISCOURSE ĺ.ADAlSĺSYMBOLICĺIDENTI üCATIONĺWITHĺANĺEGO IDEALĺANDĺTHEĺPHALLICĺORDERĺISĺESTABLISHEDĺ ONĺCRUELĺANDĺVOLATILEĺGROUNDSĺTHATĺTERMINALLYĺEXTENDĺINTOĺHISĺ ADULTĺLIFEĺ(EĺMAYĺHAVEĺESCAPEDĺHISĺREALĺFATHERĺ"UTĺHEĺCANNOTĺ ESCAPEĺTHEĺSYMBOLICĺFATHERĺ)Nĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺ$ADDYĺREAPPEARSĺINĺ THEĺ FORMĺ OFĺ THEĺ ALIENS ĺ WHOĺ THEMSELVESĺ COMEĺ TOĺ REPRESENTĺ THEĺEVILSĺOFĺ!MERICANĺCAPITALISMĺ4HISĺRETURNĺOFĺTHEĺREPRESSEDĺ 64

T HEY LIVE

CAPSIZESĺ .ADAlSĺ FORMERLYĺ OPTIMISTICĺ VIEWĺ OFĺ !MERICAĺ ASĺ Aĺ PRODUCTIVE ĺ VIRTUOUSĺ SOCIETYĺ (Eĺ TRUSTSĺ !MERICA ĺ JUSTĺ ASĺ HEĺ TRUSTEDĺHISĺFATHER ĺWHOĺkSAVEDlĺHIMĺ4HEN ĺTAKINGĺHISĺFATHERlSĺ LEAD ĺ!MERICAĺkTURNEDĺMEANlĺANDĺkSTARTEDĺTEARINGĺATĺ;HIM=lĺ4HEĺ ALIENSĺBECOMEĺTHEĺTHROBBINGĺSYMPTOMĺOFĺTHISĺRECURRENCEĺ2E VEALINGĺAĺPROVERBIALĺSMILINGĺVENEERĺANDĺGRUESOMEĺUNDERBELLY ĺ LITERALLYĺANDĺüGURATIVELY ĺTHEYĺSYMBOLISEĺTHEĺPROMISEĺOFĺAĺFAIRĺ SHOTĺpĺTHEĺIDEAĺTHAT ĺINĺ!MERICA ĺEVENĺTHEĺPROLESĺONĺSKIDĺROWĺ CANĺPREVAILĺANDĺČOURISH ĺWHENĺALLĺALONGĺTHEYĺHAVEĺBEENĺKICKINGĺ .ADAĺWHILEĺHElSĺDOWN 4HEĺALIENSĺCANĺBEĺREADĺASĺTELL TALESĺFORĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺ$REAM ĺ WHICH ĺASĺAĺSEMINALĺTOOLĺOFĺ!MERICANĺCAPITALISM ĺORDINARILYĺAS SERTSĺTHEĺPROSPECTĺOFĺWIDESPREADĺSOCIALĺANDĺECONOMICĺESCA LATION ĺBUTĺCULMINATESĺINĺVIRTUALĺSTAGNATION 4HEĺ!MERICANĺ$REAMĺALWAYSĺINVOLVESĺCLASSĺANDĺCAPITALĺ)Tĺ DOESĺNOTĺALWAYSĺINVOLVEĺCLIMBINGĺTHEĺSOCIALĺLADDERĺORĺACQUIR INGĺCAPITALĺ!SĺWEĺSEEĺIN ĺSAY ĺ"EATĺLITERATUREĺOFĺTHEĺS ĺTHEĺ !MERICANĺ$REAMĺDERIVESĺFROMĺAĺREJECTIONĺOFĺCAPITALISTĺMORESĺ ANDĺMODESĺOFĺCONDUCTĺINĺFAVOURĺOFĺANĺANTI CONFORMIST ĺGLEEFULLYĺ DISENFRANCHISEDĺ"OHEMIANISMĺ)NĺCINEMA ĺ%ASYĺ2IDERĺ ĺ EXEMPLIüESĺAĺ"EATĺLIFESTYLEĺANDĺIDEOLOGY ĺWHICHĺCONTRIBUTESĺTOĺ ITSĺCULTĺSTATUSĺ,IKEWISEĺWITHĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺEVENĺIFĺ.ADA ĺINĺCON TRASTĺTOĺTHEĺPROTAGONISTSĺOFĺ%ASYĺ2IDER ĺREGARDSĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺ $REAMĺINĺPRO CAPITALISTĺTERMS ĺSOĺTOĺSPEAK ĺGIVENĺHISĺREACTIONĺ WHENĺHEĺREALISESĺTHEĺ$REAMĺISĺJUSTĺTHATĺpĺAĺDREAMĺ/R ĺMOREĺ ACCURATELY ĺAĺNIGHTMARE )NĺEVERYĺCONTEXT ĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺ$REAMĺBELONGSĺTOĺTHEĺREALMĺ OFĺ DESIREĺ ANDĺ THEĺ FORMATIVEĺ EXPERIENCESĺ THATĺ CONSTRUCTĺ THEĺ ČOWSĺOFĺDESIREĺ)TĺISĺAĺSUBJECTIVEĺEXPERIENCEĺaĺANDĺLOSS 7HILEĺLARGEĺDEMOGRAPHICSĺOFĺLABOURERS ĺHOMELESSĺPEOPLE ĺ ETC ĺCANĺINTIMATELYĺRELATEĺTOĺHISĺPLIGHT ĺTHEĺQUESTĺFORĺTHEĺ!MER ICANĺ$REAMĺTHATĺUNFOLDSĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺISĺ.ADAlSĺQUEST ĺESPECIALLYĺ IFĺWEĺCONSIDERĺTHEĺROLEĺOFĺHISĺTRAUMATICĺHISTORYĺANDĺTHEĺMANYĺ WAYSĺINĺWHICHĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺSHOTĺFROMĺ.ADAlSĺPERSPECTIVEĺVISU 65

CULT O GRA PHIES

ALLY ĺEMOTIONALLYĺANDĺPSYCHOLOGICALLYĺ4HISĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺWHATĺ WEĺ WATCHĺ MIGHTĺ BEĺ Aĺ PATHOLOGICALĺ WISH FULüLMENTĺ FANTASYĺ .ADAlSĺFATHERĺREVISITSĺHIMĺINĺTHEĺGUISEĺOFĺALIENĺYUPPIESĺINTENTĺ ONĺkSAW;ING=ĺHIMĺDOWNl ĺANDĺBYĺREVOLTINGĺAGAINSTĺANDĺEXPOSINGĺ HISĺANTAGONISTSĺFORĺWHATĺTHEYĺARE ĺHEĺAVENGESĺHIMSELF ĺSYM BOLICALLYĺDEFEATINGĺTHEĺREALĺFATHERĺWHOĺHEĺRANĺAWAYĺFROMĺASĺAĺ CHILD ĺTHEIRĺkDIFFERENCESlĺUNRESOLVEDĺ(EĺüLLSĺTHEĺLACKĺTHATĺDE üNESĺHISĺSUBJECT POSITIONĺ!SĺAĺRESULT ĺHEĺACCOMPLISHESĺAĺKINDĺ OFĺTHERAPEUTICĺCLOSUREĺ"UTĺONLYĺATĺTHEĺPRICEĺOFĺHISĺLIFEĺ,ACKĺ ISĺ THEĺ PLAYGROUNDĺ OFĺ DESIRE ĺ ANDĺ DESIREĺ CANNOTĺ BEĺ KILLEDĺ ASĺ LONGĺASĺTHEĺMIND BODYĺAPPARATUSĺTHATĺHOUSESĺITĺREMAINSĺALIVEĺ 4HEREĺISĺNOĺESCAPEĺ.ADAĺkWINSlĺANDĺTHEĺFANTASYĺCOMESĺTOĺAĺ CLOSEĺ!NDĺTHEĺGHOSTĺOFĺHISĺFATHERĺUSHERSĺHIMĺINTOĺTHEĺGRAVE .ADAlSĺ INTERPELLATIONĺ BYĺ THEĺ FAMILIALĺ )3!ĺ AVOWSĺ kTHEĺ GROW INGĺSTRESSĺONĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺFAMILYĺANDĺITSĺPROPERĺCHILD REARINGĺ FUNCTIONSlĺTHATĺGAINEDĺMOMENTUMĺINĺTHEĺSĺANDĺREACHEDĺ AĺCLIMAXĺINĺTHEĺYEARĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺRELEASEĺSEEĺ"OOZERĺĺ  ĺ3TUDYINGĺTHEĺĺüLMSĺ&ATALĺ!TTRACTION ĺ4HREEĺ-ENĺANDĺ Aĺ"ABY ĺ"ABYĺ"OOMĺANDĺ2AISINGĺ!RIZONA ĺALLĺCONCERNEDĺWITHĺ kTHEĺ STRESSEDĺ FAMILYĺ ANDĺmADOPTIVEnĺ PARENTINGl ĺ *ACKĺ "OOZERĺ DISCUSSESĺTHEĺkRAPIDLYĺCHANGINGĺSTATUSĺOFĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺFAMILY ĺ WHICHĺ WASĺ NOĺ LONGERĺ THEĺ ASSUMEDĺ TWO PARENT AND CHILDRENĺ NUCLEARĺNORMĺWITHĺTHEĺMOTHERĺATĺHOMEĺFORĺTHEĺREARINGĺOFĺCHIL DRENlĺĺ ĺ-UCHĺOFĺTHISĺSHIFTĺHADĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺTHEĺCLOSEĺ OFĺTHEĺ2EAGANĺERA 4HISĺAGEĺOFĺRAPACIOUSĺHIGHĺROLLERS ĺGOVERNMENTĺDEREGULA TION ĺRUNAWAYĺCOVERTĺACTIVITIES ĺBLOATEDĺMILITARYĺSPENDING ĺ ANDĺAĺLEISUREĺWORLDĺWITHĺCOCAINEĺASĺTHEĺGLAMOROUSĺDRUGĺOFĺ CHOICEĺWASĺWELLĺREPRESENTEDĺANDĺCRITIQUEDĺINĺTHESEĺüLMSĺ 3OĺTOOĺWEREĺTHEĺCONCERNSĺABOUTĺTHEĺGROWINGĺDEPENDENCEĺ ONĺCOMMERCIALĺTELEVISIONĺFORĺONElSĺVIEWĺOFĺTHEĺWORLD ĺANDĺ THEĺINCREASINGĺVULNERABILITYĺOFĺTHEĺNUCLEARĺFAMILYĺTOĺALLĺOFĺ THESEĺANDĺOTHERĺCHALLENGESĺaĺ4HEĺLONGĺERAĺOFĺkAVARICEĺASĺ 66

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STATEĺRELIGIONlĺHADĺBECOMEĺWEIGHEDĺDOWNĺWITHĺECONOMICĺ ANDĺSOCIALĺDEBTĺBYĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺYEAR ĺANDĺMOSTĺOFĺTHEĺ (OLLYWOODĺüLMSĺCITEDĺHEREĺSEEMEDĺTOĺBEĺSOUNDINGĺSOMEĺ VERSIONĺOFĺAĺWAKE UPĺCALLĺ)BID .OTĺCOINCIDENTLYĺDOESĺ#ARPENTERĺREFERĺTOĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺASĺANĺEXPLIC ITĺkWAKE UPĺCALLlĺ!LTHOUGHĺQUITEĺDIFFERENTĺTHANĺTHEĺMAINSTREAMĺ üLMSĺ "OOZERĺ TALKSĺ ABOUT ĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ HASĺ THEĺ SAMEĺ CONCERNSĺ WITHĺTHEĺCONDITIONĺOFĺ!MERICAĺDURINGĺTHISĺPERIODĺpĺNONEĺMORE ĺ PERHAPS ĺTHANĺkAVARICEĺASĺSTATEĺRELIGIONlĺANDĺITSĺEFFECTSĺONĺTHEĺ NUCLEARĺFAMILY ĺTHEĺINDIVIDUALĺANDĺ!MERICANĺIDENTITYĺINĺGENERALĺ .ADAĺ ISĺ Aĺ SYMPTOMĺ OFĺ THISĺ PATHOLOGICALĺ ORDERĺ4HEĺ PRODIGALĺ SONĺOFĺMULTIPLEĺVIOLENTĺFATHERĺüGURESĺpĺINCLUDING ĺNOW ĺ2ONALDĺ 2EAGANĺHIMSELFĺpĺHEĺREACTSĺTOĺTHEĺFORCESĺOFĺOPPRESSIONĺWITHĺAĺ GRAPHICĺEXECUTIONĺOFĺTHEĺVERYĺMASCULINITYĺTHATĺAUTHORISESĺTHEM ĺ AMPINGĺUPĺTHEĺMACHISMOĺASĺHEĺSTRUGGLESĺTOĺEVENĺTHEĺSCORE

MACHO MYTHS )Nĺ ITSĺ INNER ĺ UPPERĺ RANKSĺ ANDĺ ONĺ THEĺ SCREENSĺ THATĺ CONSTITUTEĺ ITSĺBODY ĺTHEĺ(OLLYWOODĺCULTUREĺINDUSTRYĺHASĺALWAYSĺBEENĺOR DAINEDĺBYĺTHEĺLAWSĺOFĺPATRIARCHYĺ-AINSTREAMĺüLMSĺAREĺMADEĺ BYĺMALES ĺFORĺMALESĺ!NDĺTHEĺMALEĺGAZEĺDICTATESĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺ OFĺCELLULOIDĺDREAMSĺ-ASCULINITYĺASĺNORMATIVE ĺFEMININITYĺASĺ PATHOLOGICALĺ pĺ DESPITEĺ EXCEPTIONSĺ LIKEĺ THEĺ FEMINISTĺ üLMMAK INGĺMOVEMENT ĺTHISĺBINARYĺISĺAĺHISTORICĺCINEMATICĺSTAPLEĺ)Tĺ PREVAILSĺINĺTHEĺTWENTY üRSTĺCENTURYĺMOREĺTHANĺEVERĺINĺTHEĺHEATĺ OFĺTHEĺECONOMICĺRECESSIONSĺOFĺTHEĺSĺANDĺSĺANDĺTHEĺ INCREASINGĺ DEGREEĺ TOĺ WHICHĺ MOVIEMAKINGĺ UNRESERVEDLYĺ DE PENDSĺUPONĺCAPITALĺ%VENĺINDIEĺüLMĺCOMPANIES ĺREGARDLESSĺOFĺ THEIRĺAPPARENTĺPROLIFERATIONĺSINCEĺTHEĺS ĺHAVEĺBEENĺCON SISTENTLYĺTHREATENED ĺHEDGEDĺANDĺASSIMILATEDĺBYĺ#ONGLOMER ATEĺ(OLLYWOODĺTOĺTHEĺEXTENTĺTHAT ĺWHATĺMIGHTĺSEEMĺINDIEĺBYĺ BRANDĺANDĺBYĺCONTENT ĺISĺWOULD BEĺBLOCKBUSTERĺINĺDISGUISE 67

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)NĺHERĺINČUENTIALĺFEMINISTĺESSAY ĺk6ISUALĺ0LEASUREĺANDĺ.AR RATIVEĺ#INEMAl ĺ,AURAĺ-ULVEYĺUSESĺPSYCHOANALYSISĺTOĺEXPLOREĺ THEĺPHALLOCENTRICĺkFASCINATIONĺOFĺüLMl ĺWHICHĺISĺkREINFORCEDĺBYĺ PRE EXISTINGĺPATTERNSĺOFĺFASCINATIONĺALREADYĺATĺWORKĺWITHINĺTHEĺ INDIVIDUALĺSUBJECTĺANDĺTHEĺSOCIALĺFORMATIONSĺTHATĺHAVEĺMOULDEDĺ HIMĺaĺ&ILMĺREČECTS ĺREVEALSĺANDĺEVENĺPLAYSĺONĺTHEĺSTRAIGHT ĺ SOCIALLYĺESTABLISHEDĺINTERPRETATIONĺOFĺSEXUALĺDIFFERENCEĺWHICHĺ CONTROLSĺIMAGES ĺEROTICĺWAYSĺOFĺLOOKINGĺANDĺSPECTACLElĺĺ  ĺ!SĺFORĺPOPULARĺ!MERICANĺCINEMA ĺSHEĺSTATESĺk4HEĺMAGICĺ OFĺTHEĺ(OLLYWOODĺSTYLEĺATĺITSĺBESTĺANDĺOFĺALLĺTHEĺCINEMAĺWHICHĺ FELLĺ WITHINĺ ITSĺ SPHEREĺ OFĺ INČUENCE ĺ AROSE ĺ NOTĺ EXCLUSIVELY ĺ BUTĺ INĺ ONEĺ IMPORTANTĺ ASPECT ĺ FROMĺ ITSĺ SKILLEDĺ ANDĺ SATISFYINGĺ MANIPULATIONĺ OFĺ VISUALĺ PLEASUREĺ 5NCHALLENGED ĺ MAINSTREAMĺ üLMĺCODEDĺTHEĺEROTICĺINTOĺTHEĺLANGUAGEĺOFĺTHEĺDOMINANTĺPA TRIARCHALĺORDERlĺĺ ĺ(OLLYWOODĺCINEMAĺpĺTHEĺWAYĺISĺITĺ CONSTRUCTEDĺANDĺHOWĺWEĺAREĺCONSTRUCTEDĺTOĺPERCEIVEĺITĺpĺISĺ ALWAYS ALREADYĺINSCRIBEDĺBYĺAĺMASCULINEĺETHOS ĺIDEOLOGYĺANDĺ SYSTEMĺOFĺVALUESĺ#APITALISTĺMATHEMATICSĺTHISĺISĺWHATĺSELLSĺ HENCEĺTHISĺISĺWHATĺEXISTS "Yĺ ITSĺ VERYĺ TRANSGRESSIVEĺ NATURE ĺ CULTĺ CINEMAĺ UNDERMINESĺ THEĺAUTHORITYĺANDĺAUTHORSHIPĺOFĺPHALLOCENTRISMĺ#ONSIDERĺ4HEĺ 2OCKYĺ(ORRORĺ0ICTUREĺ3HOWĺ ĺ4HEĺ4OXICĺ!VENGERĺ ĺ ANDĺ 3INĺ #ITYĺ  ĺ ALLĺ OFĺ WHICHĺ PROBLEMATISEĺ ANDĺ PARODYĺ GENDERĺ ROLESĺ INĺ UNIQUELYĺ SELF CONSCIOUSĺ WAYS ĺ BUTĺ PRIMARILYĺ BYĺWAYĺOFĺHYPERBOLE ĺEXAGGERATINGĺMASCULINITYĺANDĺFEMININ ITYĺTOĺAĺPOINTĺOFĺMUTANTĺEXCESS ĺLITERALLYĺANDĺMETAPHORICALLYĺ 4HESEĺüLMS ĺHOWEVER ĺAREĺSTILLĺBYĺANDĺABOUTĺMALEĺSUBJECTIV ITY ĺIFĺONLYĺASĺAĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺPATRIARCHYĺINĺTHEĺ(OLLYWOODĺCULTUREĺ INDUSTRYĺANDĺINĺTHEĺWIDERĺ!MERICANĺCULTURALĺSPHEREĺTHATĺBOREĺ ANDĺINSCRIBEDĺTHEM 4HEYĺ,IVEĺFALLSĺINTOĺTHEĺSAMEĺkCAMPlĺ7EĺSEEĺMUTANTĺEXCESSĺ INĺTHEĺZOMBIüEDĺBODIESĺANDĺCAPITALISTĺPRACTICESĺOFĺTHEĺALIENSĺ ALONGSIDEĺTHEĺEVOLVINGĺANDĺREACTIVE ĺALPHA MALENESSĺOFĺ.ADAĺ ASĺ "ECOMING 0IPERĺ 4HESEĺ EXCESSESĺ REAFüRMĺ #ARPENTERlSĺ 68

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SOCIOECONOMICĺ CRITIQUEĺ OFĺ Sĺ EXCESS ĺ ANDĺ .ADAlSĺ HYPER MASCULINITYĺALLIESĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺWITHĺMAINSTREAMĺACTIONĺCINEMAĺ ÷ĺLAĺ3CHWARZENEGGER ĺ3TALLONEĺANDĺOTHERĺANABOLICPHALLICĺBOD IESĺ-OREĺSPECIüCALLY ĺ.ADAlSĺHYPERMASCULINITYĺREASSERTSĺTHEĺ NOTIONĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺISĺAĺPATHOLOGICALĺWISH FULüLMENTĺFANTASYĺ CONJUREDĺTOĺüLLĺAĺTRAUMATICĺLACKĺ4HISĺRINGSĺTRUEĺMOREĺANDĺMOREĺ ASĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺPROGRESSESĺANDĺTURNSĺFROMĺLEFTISTĺANALYSISĺTOĺ UNADULTERATEDĺACTIONĺk4HEYĺ,IVEĺaĺABANDONSĺITSĺCULTURALĺCRI TIQUEĺHALFWAYĺTHROUGHĺTOĺCONCENTRATEĺONĺTHEĺIMPROBABLEĺHERO ICSĺOFĺITSĺSOLITARYĺHEROĺ.ADAĺaĺ)RONICALLY ĺTHEĺüLMĺBECOMESĺ EXACTLYĺTHEĺKINDĺOFĺFORMULAICĺESCAPISTĺENTERTAINMENTĺITĺBEGINSĺ BYĺCRITIQUINGĺASĺTHEĺOPIATEĺOFĺTHEĺPEOPLE ĺWHENĺ.ADAĺSINGLE HANDEDLYĺDESTROYSĺTHEĺALIENlSĺSOLEĺ
ĺBROADCASTINGĺSTATION ĺAP PARENTLYĺSAVINGĺTHEĺWORLDlĺ'RANTĺĺ  4HEĺ MULTIPLICATIONĺ OFĺ IMPROBABILITIESĺ SUCHĺ ASĺ Aĺ SOLEĺ BROAD CASTINGĺSTATIONĺpĺANDĺITSĺDESTRUCTIONĺBYĺ.ADAĺHIMSELF ĺSAVINGĺ THEĺ WORLDĺ INĺ THEĺ TRADITIONĺ OFĺ COUNTLESSĺ ACTION HEROESĺ BEFOREĺ HIMĺ pĺ LENDĺ THEMSELVESĺ TOĺ THEĺ IDEAĺ THATĺ HEĺ HASĺ EXPERIENCEDĺ Aĺ SCHIZOPHRENICĺ BREAKDOWN ĺ Aĺ CONDITIONĺ THATĺ EXTENDSĺ VICARI OUSLYĺ TOĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺ VIEWERSHIPĺ ANDĺ THEĺ CAPITALISTĺ MATRIXĺ THATĺ CONTAINSĺANDĺCODESĺTHATĺVIEWERSHIPĺ)ĺWILLĺUSEĺTHEĺLANGUAGEĺOFĺ SCHIZOANALYSISĺTOĺARTICULATEĺTHISĺIDEAĺ$ELEUZEĺHASĺARGUEDĺTHATĺ kSCHIZOPHRENIAĺ ISĺ INDISSOCIABLEĺ FROMĺ THEĺ CAPITALISTĺ SYSTEM ĺ IT SELFĺCONCEIVEDĺASĺPRIMARYĺLEAKAGEĺFUITE ĺANĺEXCLUSIVEĺMALADYlĺ ĺ ĺ4OGETHERĺWITHĺ&ÀLIXĺ'UATTARIĺINĺ!NTI /EDIPUSĺ ĺ ANDĺ!ĺ4HOUSANDĺ0LATEAUSĺ ĺHEĺDEVELOPSĺAĺTHEORYĺOFĺTECH NOLOGISEDĺDESIREĺINĺWHICHĺSUBJECTSĺAREĺFORCEDĺTOĺNEGOTIATEĺTHEĺ MAD ĺDETERRITORIALISINGĺTENTACLESĺOFĺCAPITALISM ĺAĺPROCESSĺTHATĺ ITSELFĺINVOLVESĺANĺACTĺOFĺMADNESS ĺOFĺPSYCHICĺARBITRATION 4HEREĺISĺAĺTWOFOLDĺMOVEMENTĺOFĺDECODINGĺORĺDETERRITORIAL IZINGĺČOWSĺONĺTHEĺONEĺHAND ĺANDĺTHEIRĺVIOLENTĺANDĺARTIüCIALĺ RETERRITORIALIZATIONĺONĺTHEĺOTHERĺ4HEĺMOREĺTHEĺCAPITALISTĺMA CHINEĺ DETERRITORIALIZES ĺ DECODINGĺ ANDĺ AXIOMATIZINGĺ ČOWSĺ 69

CULT O GRA PHIES

INĺORDERĺTOĺEXTRACTĺSURPLUSĺVALUEĺFROMĺTHEM ĺTHEĺMOREĺITSĺ ANCILLARYĺAPPARATUSES ĺSUCHĺASĺGOVERNMENTĺBUREAUCRACIESĺ ANDĺ THEĺ FORCESĺ OFĺ LAWĺ ANDĺ ORDER ĺ DOĺ THEIRĺ UTMOSTĺ TOĺ RE TERRITORIALIZE ĺABSORBINGĺINĺTHEĺPROCESSĺAĺLARGERĺANDĺLARGERĺ SHAREĺOFĺSURPLUSĺVALUEĺ$ELEUZEĺĺ'UATTARIĺĺp !CTSĺOFĺRETERRITORIALISATIONĺAREĺNOTĺLIMITEDĺTOĺANĺ)3!ĺINDIVIDUALĺ SUBJECTSĺPERFORMĺTHEM ĺTOOĺk4HEĺSCHIZOPHRENICĺDELIBERATELYĺ SEEKSĺOUTĺTHEĺVERYĺLIMITĺOFĺCAPITALISMĺHEĺISĺITSĺINHERENTĺTEN DENCYĺBROUGHTĺTOĺFULüLMENT ĺITSĺSURPLUSĺPRODUCT ĺITSĺPROLETARIAT ĺ ANDĺITSĺEXTERMINATINGĺANGELĺ(EĺSCRAMBLESĺALLĺTHEĺCODESĺANDĺ ISĺTHEĺTRANSMITTERĺOFĺTHEĺDECODEDĺČOWSĺOFĺDESIRElĺĺ ĺ .ADAĺISĺAĺPERFECTĺCANDIDATEĺTOĺTHEORISEĺWITHINĺTHISĺRUBRIC ĺBOTHĺ ASĺAĺ$ELEUZOGUATTARIANĺSCHIZOĺANDĺASĺANĺACTUAL ĺCLINICALĺSCHIZO ĺ ONEĺWHOĺHASĺSUFFEREDĺANĺIMPLOSIONĺOFĺREALITYĺANDĺFANTASY ĺORĺ RATHER ĺONEĺWHOSEĺREALITYĺHASĺBEENĺUSURPEDĺBYĺAĺCOMPENSA TORYĺFANTASYĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺBECOMESĺAĺSYMPTOMĺOFĺ.ADAlSĺILLNESSĺ !NDĺHISĺILLNESSĺSIGNIüESĺAĺLARGERĺCULTURALĺPATHOLOGYĺTHATĺSĺ AUDIENCESĺCOULDĺEMPATHISEĺWITH 4HEORISEDĺORĺNOT ĺ.ADAlSĺACTIONSĺANDĺREACTIONS ĺTHEĺTHINGSĺ HEĺDOESĺANDĺWHATĺHEĺSAYS ĺAREĺDECIDEDLYĺMASCULINE ĺVIOLENTĺ ANDĺCHAUVINISTICĺpĺMACHOĺTHROUGHĺANDĺTHROUGHĺ"UTĺDOESĺ4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ ENDORSEĺ ORĺ CRITIQUEĺ THISĺ CONDUCTĺ +ENĺ *URKIEWICZĺ WON DERSĺ ABOUTĺ #ARPENTERlSĺ INTENTIONSĺ k)SNlTĺ THEĺ KINDĺ OFĺ MACHO MALEĺBONDINGĺANDĺRUGGEDĺINDIVIDUALISMĺONCEĺAGAINĺCELEBRATEDĺ INĺTHISĺüLMĺEXACTLYĺTHEĺKINDĺOFĺCOUNTERPRODUCTIVEĺMYTHMAKINGĺ THATĺKEEPĺUSĺSEDATEDĺANDĺASLEEPĺ)SNlTĺ#ARPENTERlSĺLEFT WINGĺ MESSAGEĺ RADICALLYĺ SUBVERTEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ VERYĺ GENREĺ THATĺ HEĺ HASĺ CHOSENĺTOĺUTILIZElĺĺ  4HEĺGRATUITOUSĺSHOTĺOFĺAĺWOMANlSĺBREASTSĺATĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺ üLM ĺAĺüNALĺSYMBOLICĺORGASMĺLEDĺUPĺTOĺBYĺ.ADAlSĺMACHO MALEĺ HEROICS ĺ MAYĺ SUBSTANTIATEĺ *URKIEWICZlSĺ INFERENCEĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ USESĺLIBERALĺPOLITICSĺASĺAĺFRONTĺFORĺITSĺREALĺPURPOSEĺTOĺPROVIDEĺ EYEĺCANDYĺFORĺTHEĺMALEĺGAZEĺ4HUSĺ#ARPENTERĺREINFORCESĺRATHERĺ 70

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A final symbolic orgasm.

THANĺSUBVERTSĺTHEĺMYTHSĺOFĺGENDERĺCONSTRUCTIONĺTHATĺITSĺGENREĺ PREDECESSORSĺWOREĺLIKEĺAĺBADGEĺ4HISĺLINEĺOFĺTHOUGHTĺHASĺVA LIDITY ĺ BUTĺ ITĺ ISĺ TOOĺ SIMPLISTICĺ ANDĺ REDUCTIVEĺ GIVENĺ THEĺ META NARRATIONALĺCOMPLEXITYĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ4HEĺüLMlSĺUSEĺOFĺHYPER BOLEĺALONEĺSIGNALSĺAĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺITSELFĺASĺAĺGENREĺPRODUCTION ĺ TAKINGĺOBSCENEĺPLEASUREĺINĺITSĺOWNĺEXAGGERATEDĺANTICSĺ4HISĺ ISĺTRUEĺWHETHERĺWEĺAREĺTALKINGĺABOUTĺLARGERĺISSUESĺLIKEĺGENDERĺ PERFORMATIVITYĺORĺMINORĺDETAILSĺLIKEĺBLOCKINGĺTECHNIQUESĺ#ON SIDERĺ .ADAĺ HIMSELFĺ7Eĺ KNOWĺ THATlSĺ NOTĺ .ADAĺ4HATlSĺ 0IPERĺ 2OWDYĺ2ODDYĺ0IPERĺ!TĺNOĺPOINTĺWOULDĺSĺVIEWERSĺTHINKĺ OTHERWISE ĺPARTLYĺBECAUSEĺOFĺBADĺACTINGĺpĺWEĺNEVERĺLOSEĺOUR SELVESĺ INĺ HISĺ PERFORMANCEĺ pĺ BUTĺ MOSTLYĺ BECAUSEĺ WEĺ KNOWĺ HIMĺ ASĺ Aĺ PROFESSIONALĺ WRESTLERĺ WITHĺ Aĺ BIGĺ MOUTHĺ ANDĺ Aĺ BADĺ TEMPERĺ&ROMĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺWEĺSEEĺ.ADAĺSOMBRELYĺWALKINGĺ THEĺSTREETSĺOFĺ,OSĺ!NGELES ĺWEĺSEEĺ0IPER ĺANDĺWEĺKNOWĺTHATĺ ITlSĺONLYĺAĺMATTERĺOFĺTIMEĺBEFOREĺHEĺEXPLODESĺINTOĺHIMSELF

EITHER PUT ON THESE GLASSES, OR START EATIN’ THAT TRASH CAN: PART 1 4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺ HYPERMASCULINEĺ MOTIFĺ REACHESĺ Aĺ CRESCENDOĺ pĺ Aĺ VERYĺLO O O ONGĺCRESCENDOĺpĺDURINGĺTHEĺINFAMOUSĺüGHTĺSCENEĺ BETWEENĺ.ADAĺANDĺ&RANKĺ!RMITAGEĺ-ANYĺCRITICSĺANDĺREVIEW 71

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ERSĺHAVEĺARGUEDĺTHATĺTHEĺSCENEĺISĺDISPOSABLEĺCUTĺITĺFROMĺTHEĺ SPOOLĺANDĺNOTHINGĺWOULDĺBEĺLOSTĺ/NĺTHEĺCONTRARY ĺTHEĺüLMlSĺ MAJORĺ THEMESĺ OFĺ RACE ĺ GENDER ĺ SEXUALITYĺ ANDĺ VIOLENCEĺ CON VERGEĺ ATĺ THISĺ COORDINATEĺ OFĺ STUPIDLY ĺ PROLONGEDĺ AGGRESSIONĺ &URTHERMORE ĺ THEĺ SCENEĺ STEMSĺ FROMĺ ANĺ EXTENSIVEĺ TRADITIONĺ OFĺMANO A MANOĺBRAWLSĺINĺCINEMAĺTHATĺ#ARPENTERĺASPIREDĺTOĺ OUTDOĺ4HEĺRESULTĺISĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺATĺITSĺMOSTĺHYPERBOLIC .ADAĺ ANDĺ !RMITAGElSĺ PHYSICALĺ CLASHĺ REČECTSĺ #ARPENTERlSĺ OWNĺ CREATIVEĺ CLASHĺ WITHĺ CINEMATICĺ HISTORYĺ ANDĺ üLMSĺ THATĺ INSPIREDĺ HIMĺ BUTĺ THATĺ HEĺ WANTEDĺ TOĺ BEATĺ )Nĺ ANĺ INTERVIEWĺ WITHĺ'ILLESĺ"OULENGER ĺ#ARPENTERĺREFERENCESĺ*OHNĺ&ORDlSĺ4HEĺ 1UIETĺ-ANĺ ĺWHICHĺCULMINATESĺINĺAĺSTOP AND START ĺGET UP AND GET KNOCKED DOWNĺ PUNCHFESTĺ BETWEENĺ 3EANĺ 4HOR TONĺ*OHNĺ7AYNE ĺANDĺ7ILLĺ$ANAHERĺ6ICTORĺ-C,AGLEN ĺWHOĺ AREĺFOLLOWEDĺBYĺAĺHORDEĺOFĺEXCITEDĺVILLAGERSĺASĺTHEYĺBLUNDERĺ THROUGHĺTHEĺSTREETSĺOFĺ)NNISFREE ĺAĺüCTIONALĺ)RISHĺTOWNĺk4HEĺ üGHTĺSEQUENCEĺINĺ4HEĺ1UIETĺ-ANĺISNlTĺTHATĺGOODĺ)NĺMYĺMIND ĺ ITĺWASĺBETTERĺTHANĺITĺISĺINĺREALITYĺ)TlSĺVERYĺQUICKĺ4HERElSĺNOTH INGĺMUCHĺTOĺITlĺ"OULENGERĺĺ ĺ#ARPENTERĺISĺAĺBITĺHARDĺ ONĺ4HEĺ1UIETĺ-AN ĺMADEĺOVERĺTHIRTYĺYEARSĺBEFOREĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ FORĺ ANĺ AUDIENCEĺ WITHĺ DIFFERENTĺ CINEMATICĺ EXPECTATIONSĺ ANDĺ EXPERIENCESĺ)NĺITSĺTIME ĺTHEĺSCENEĺWASĺAĺGREATĺSUCCESSĺANDĺ AĺüTTINGĺCLIMAXĺTOĺTHEĺROMANTICĺDRAMA ĺWHICHĺWONĺ!CADEMYĺ !WARDSĺFORĺBESTĺDIRECTORĺANDĺCINEMATOGRAPHYĺ-OREĺCURIOUSĺ ISĺ#ARPENTERlSĺCONCERNĺTHATĺ&ORDlSĺüGHTĺWASNlTĺREALISTIC ĺBUTĺ kBETTERlĺ THANĺ REALISTIC ĺ Aĺ HYPERREALĺ EXCHANGEĺ OFĺ BLOWSĺ THATĺ COULDĺONLYĺEXISTĺONĺCELLULOIDĺ)Nĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺHEĺWANTEDĺSOME THINGĺGRITTIERĺANDĺMOREĺBELIEVABLEĺ)RONICALLY ĺWHATĺWEĺGETĺISĺ SOMETHINGĺ THATĺ STRETCHESĺ ANDĺ INĺ SOMEĺ INSTANCESĺ TEARSĺ THEĺ FABRICĺOFĺREALITY )NĺTHEĺSAMEĺINTERVIEW ĺ"OULENGERĺASKSĺ#ARPENTERĺWHYĺHEĺ MADEĺTHEĺüGHTĺSOĺLONG ĺCONTENDINGĺTHATĺITĺkBECOMESĺPURELYĺ GRATUITOUSĺ FROMĺ Aĺ NARRATIVEĺ POINTĺ OFĺ VIEWl ĺ THEĺ MOSTĺ TELLINGĺ SIGNĺOFĺITSĺDIGRESSIONĺFROMĺREALISMĺ#ARPENTERĺRESPONDS 72

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&IRST ĺ)ĺWANTEDĺTOĺDOĺAĺGREATĺLONGĺüGHTĺ3ECONDLY ĺ)ĺHADĺ ACTORSĺWHOĺWEREĺPHYSICALLYĺCAPABLEĺOFĺTHATĺKINDĺOFĺüGHTĺ 2ODDYĺWORKEDĺWITHĺ+EITHĺ$AVIDĺFORĺAĺMONTHĺANDĺAĺHALFĺONĺ THATĺüGHTĺTOĺTHEĺPOINTĺWHEREĺTHEYĺWEREĺMAKINGĺCONTACTĺ)Tĺ WASNlTĺTHEĺOLD FASHIONĺWESTERNĺHITĺ4HEYĺREALLYĺWENTĺRIGHTĺ ATĺIT ĺANDĺTHATĺWASĺWHATĺMADEĺTHEĺüGHTĺASĺCONVINCINGĺASĺITĺ WASĺ7HATĺMADEĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺWORKĺALSOĺISĺTHATĺWEĺUSEDĺ Aĺ0ANAGLIDEĺCAMERAĺTOĺFOLLOWĺTHEMĺAROUNDĺ3OĺTHEĺSCENEĺ ISĺMOREĺLIKEĺAĺBALLETĺĺ !ĺkSTABILIZINGĺDEVICEĺWORNĺBYĺTHEĺCAMERAĺOPERATORl ĺTHEĺ0ANA GLIDEĺWASĺANĺEARLYĺVERSIONĺOFĺTHEĺ3TEADICAM ĺWHICHĺkPERMITSĺ ČUIDĺCAMERAĺMOVEMENT ĺALLOWSĺGREATERĺMOBILITYĺTHANĺTRACKINGĺ SHOTS ĺANDĺMINIMIZESĺSHAKINESSlĺ0RAMAGGIOREĺĺ7ALLISĺĺ  ĺ#ARPENTERĺHADĺUSEDĺTHISĺTECHNOLOGYĺBEFOREĺINĺ(ALLOWEENĺ FORĺTHEĺ0/6ĺOFĺ-ICHAELĺ-YERS ĺkMOSTĺFAMOUSLYĺINĺTHEĺVIRTUOSOĺ OPENINGĺSUBJECTIVEĺSEQUENCE ĺWHICHĺGIVESĺTHEĺAPPEARANCEĺOFĺ BEINGĺAĺSINGLEĺSHOT ĺTHOUGHĺTHEREĺAREĺSEVERALĺDISGUISEDĺCUTSlĺ (ALLĺĺ ĺ(EĺDOESĺNOTĺUSEĺTHEĺ0ANAGLIDEĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ TOĺ CONVEYĺ Aĺ SINGLEĺ SHOTĺ THEĺ üGHTĺ CONTAINSĺ NUMEROUSĺ CUTS ĺ NONEĺ OFĺ THEMĺ ROUGH ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ CAMERAĺ MAINTAINSĺ Aĺ BALANCEDĺ POSITION ĺ SEEMINGĺ TOĺ MOVEĺ ONĺ BALLĺ BEARINGSĺ4HEĺ GOALĺ ISĺ TOĺ DEPICTĺAĺGREATERĺSENSEĺOFĺREALISMĺWITHĺSMOOTHĺCAMERAWORKĺ ANDĺDRAWĺLESSĺATTENTIONĺTOĺTHEĺMEDIUMĺWHEREBYĺVIEWERSĺAREĺ ABLEĺTOĺSEEĺINTOĺTHEĺüLMĺWORLDĺ"UTĺTHEĺEFFECTĺBELIESĺREALISM ĺ ASĺ#ARPENTERĺADMITSĺkTHEĺSCENEĺISĺMOREĺLIKEĺAĺBALLETlĺTHANĺAĺ REALĺüGHTĺ!GAINĺWEĺFALLĺINTOĺHYPERREALITYĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMITAGEĺ AREĺHARDLYĺSUITEDĺFORĺAĺSTAGINGĺOFĺ4HEĺ.UTCRACKERĺTHEYĺkDANCElĺ LIKEĺBARBARIANS ĺNOTĺBALLERINASĺ)NĺTERMSĺOFĺHOWĺWEĺSEEĺTHEMĺ MOVE ĺTHEĺSCENEĺISĺTOOĺREAL ĺORĺMOREĺREALĺTHANĺREAL ĺMADEĺSUCHĺ BYĺ THEĺ VERYĺ SMOOTHĺ CAMERAWORKĺ THATĺ INTENDSĺ TOĺ CONCEALĺ IT SELFĺ&ORĺALLĺOFĺITSĺHARDĺKNOCKS ĺCINEMATICĺPRESENTATIONĺRENDERSĺ THEĺüGHTĺAĺMOCK üGHTĺMOREĺAKINĺTOĺWHATĺWEĺWOULDĺENCOUNTERĺ INĺTHEĺDIEGESISĺOFĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLING ĺANDĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMIT 73

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AGEĺBECOMEĺPROVERBIALĺDUELLINGĺ#HAUNTICLEERSĺ7HICHĺISĺPRE CISELYĺTHEĺRUBĺ.OTWITHSTANDINGĺ#ARPENTERlSĺDESIREĺTOĺSURPASSĺ PREDECESSORSĺLIKEĺ*OHNĺ&ORD ĺHISĺüGHTĺEMERGESĺMOREĺFROMĺAĺ LOVEĺOFĺWRESTLINGĺTHANĺANYTHINGĺELSEĺ!Sĺ*URKIEWICZĺRECOUNTS )NDEED ĺINĺAĺSEQUENCEĺWHICHĺSEEMSĺMOREĺLIKEĺAĺTRIBUTEĺ TOĺ 2ODDYĺ 0IPERlSĺ ONCE AND FUTUREĺ EMPLOYERS ĺ THEĺ7ORLDĺ 7RESTLINGĺ&EDERATION ĺTHANĺITĺISĺAĺSTANDARDĺACTION MOVIEĺ SETPIECE ĺ.ADAĺMUSTĺLITERALLYĺBEATĺTHEĺALMOSTĺTERMINALLYĺ STUBBORNĺ&RANKĺINTOĺINITIALLYĺPUTTINGĺONĺHISĺPAIRĺOFĺ(OFFMANĺ LENSESĺ THEĺ üLMĺ INSISTSĺ THATĺ PEOPLEĺ WILLĺ VEHEMENTLYĺ RE SISTĺSEEINGĺTHEĺTRUTHĺABOUTĺTHEĺFUTILEĺNATUREĺOFĺTHEIRĺLIVESĺ ĺ #HRONICĺDISAVOWALĺASĺAĺNECESSARY ĺIFĺNOTĺDEüNITIVE ĺELEMENTĺOFĺ THEĺHUMANĺCONDITIONĺpĺFAIRĺENOUGHĺ"UTĺ!RMITAGElSĺRESISTANCEĺ TRANSCENDSĺMEREĺOBSTINACY 4HEĺüGHTĺTAKESĺPLACEĺINĺTHEĺALLEYĺWHEREĺ.ADAĺSTASHEDĺTHEĺ BOXĺ OFĺ (OFFMANĺ LENSESĺ7HENĺ HEĺ COMESĺ BACKĺ TOĺ GETĺ THEM ĺ THEĺ BOXĺ ISĺ GONE ĺ COLLECTEDĺ BYĺ Aĺ GARBAGEĺ TRUCKĺ JUSTĺ MOMENTSĺ AGOĺ .ADAĺ SNEAKSĺ UPĺ BEHINDĺ THEĺ TRUCK ĺ OPENSĺ THEĺ TRUNKĺ ANDĺ CLIMBSĺIN ĺFURIOUSLYĺSEARCHINGĺ(EĺüNDSĺTHEĺBOXĺaĺANDĺTHEĺTRUCKĺ DRIVER ĺ UNAWAREĺ THATĺ THEĺ TRUNKĺ ISĺ AJAR ĺ ROTATESĺ THEĺ COMPACTORĺ ANDĺACCIDENTALLYĺDUMPSĺ.ADAĺOUTĺONĺAĺSURGINGĺBEDĺOFĺRUBBISH ĺ THENĺDRIVESĺAWAYĺ#ENTRE SCREEN ĺWITHĺTHEĺCAMERAĺATĺAĺSLIGHTĺ UP ANGLE ĺ.ADAĺSTANDS ĺALMOSTĺTRIUMPHANTLY ĺGRIPPINGĺTHEĺBOXĺ ANDĺAĺPAIRĺOFĺSUNGLASSESĺ!SĺAĺHUMANĺSUBJUGATEDĺBYĺEVILĺALIENĺ MASTERS ĺANDĺLOWER CLASSĺCITIZENĺSUPERVISEDĺBYĺBOURGEOISĺALIENĺ CAPITALISTS ĺ.ADAĺISĺDETRITUS ĺRESIDUALĺANDĺDISPOSABLEĺpĺAĺHANG NAILĺONĺTHEĺüNGERĺOFĺTHEĺCAPITALIST ĺSOCIALĺBODYĺ(EREĺHEĺLITERALLYĺ ADOPTSĺTHATĺSUBJECT POSITIONĺ!NDĺYET ĺFORĺAĺMOMENT ĺHEĺLOOMSĺ TALLĺABOVEĺTHEĺWASTE ĺRESOLUTE ĺLIKEĺAĺLORDĺOFĺČIES 5NKNOWNĺTOĺ.ADA ĺ!RMITAGEĺFOLLOWEDĺHIMĺk9O lĺHEĺGRIPES ĺ PERTURBED ĺSTANDINGĺNEXTĺTOĺAĺDUMPSTERĺk/NEĺWEEKlSĺPAYĺ)TlSĺ 74

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Lord of the Flies.

THEĺBESTĺ)ĺCOULDĺDOlĺ(EĺTOSSESĺAĺWADĺOFĺCASHĺATĺ.ADA ĺWHOĺ QUICKLYĺPUTSĺONĺTHEĺSUNGLASSESĺTOĺENSUREĺ!RMITAGElSĺHUMAN ITY ĺTHENĺIMPLORESĺHIMĺTOĺTRYĺONĺTHEĺSUNGLASSES ĺSTRIDINGĺFOR WARDĺaĺ!RMITAGEĺPUNCHESĺHIMĺINĺTHEĺNOSE ĺHARDĺ3TUNNED ĺ .ADAĺWIPESĺBLOODĺFROMĺHISĺNOSTRILSĺWITHĺHISĺWRIST ĺEXAMINESĺ THEĺ BLOOD ĺ ANDĺ DELIVERSĺ Aĺ COLD ĺ HARDĺ STAREĺ pĺ Aĺ FAMILIARĺ GAZEĺ DELIVEREDĺTOĺMANYĺOPPONENTSĺINĺTHEĺWRESTLINGĺRINGĺ7EĺSENSEĺ THEĺ IMMINENTĺ TRANSITIONĺ FROMĺ *EKYLL .ADAĺ INTOĺ (YDE 0IPERĺ k)lMĺ TRYINGĺ TOĺ SAVEĺ YOUĺ ANDĺ YOURĺ FAMILYlSĺ LIFE lĺ HEĺ EXPLAINSĺ %NRAGED ĺ!RMITAGEĺYELLS ĺk9OUĺCOULDNlTĺEVENĺSAVEĺYOURĺOWN
lĺ .ADAĺ PUNCHESĺ HIMĺ ONĺ THEĺ NOSEĺ NOW ĺ HARDER ĺ SPINNINGĺ HIMĺ AROUNDĺANDĺKNOCKINGĺHIMĺDOWN ĺFACE üRSTĺINTOĺTHEĺDUMPSTER k)lMĺGIVINGĺYOUĺAĺCHOICE lĺ.ADAĺHUFFSĺk%ITHERĺPUTĺONĺTHESEĺ GLASSES ĺORĺSTARTĺEATINlĺTHATĺTRASHĺCAN
lĺk.OTĺTHISĺYEARl ĺ!RMIT AGEĺRETORTSĺ!NDĺTHEĺBARBARICĺBALLETĺCOMMENCES )TlSĺNOTĺTERRIBLYĺSTRANGEĺTHATĺ!RMITAGEĺANDĺ.ADAĺSTRIKEĺONEĺ ANOTHERĺ WITHĺ SUCHĺ FORCEĺ RESENTMENTĺ ANDĺ ANGSTĺ HASĺ BEENĺ BUILDINGĺBETWEENĺTHEMĺSINCEĺTHEYĺMETĺ"UTĺTHEĺFREAKISHĺBRU TALITYĺEXERTEDĺDURINGĺTHEĺNEXTĺüVEĺMINUTESĺFALLSĺINTOĺTHEĺREALMĺ OFĺIRREALISM ĺPOSSESSINGĺANĺABSURDIST ĺALMOSTĺDREAMLIKEĺQUAL ITYĺ .ORMALĺ MODESĺ OFĺ CAUSALITYĺ DONlTĺ ADDĺ UPĺ /NEĺ MOMENTĺ .ADAĺ PLEADSĺ WITHĺ!RMITAGEĺ TOĺ DOĺ ASĺ HEĺ SAYS ĺ THEĺ NEXTĺ HElSĺ RAININGĺBLOWSĺONĺHIMĺLIKEĺAĺHOMICIDALĺMANIAC ĺORĺLIKEĺAĺHYPER 75

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ACTIVEĺCHILDĺWHOĺCANlTĺGETĺHISĺWAYĺ0IPERĺOFTENĺBEHAVEDĺTHISĺ WAYĺ INĺ THEĺ RINGĺ ANDĺ INĺ INTERVIEWS ĺ DISTRACTINGĺ HISĺ OPPONENT INTERLOCUTORĺWITHĺkSOFTĺWORDSl ĺORĺFEIGNINGĺANĺINJURY ĺANDĺTHENĺ UNLEASHINGĺTHEĺINNERĺBEAST !FTERĺTHEĺüRSTĺEXCHANGEĺOFĺBLOWS ĺ.ADAĺRELUCTANTLYĺSAYS ĺk)ĺ DONlTĺWANNAĺüGHTĺYA lĺBUTĺ!RMITAGE ĺPISSEDĺOFF ĺSWINGSĺWILDLY ĺ ANDĺ .ADAĺ REPEATS ĺ k)ĺ DONlTĺ WANNAĺ üGHTĺ YA lĺ DEČECTINGĺ JABSĺ k3TOPĺ IT
lĺ .ADAĺ COMMANDSĺ k.O
lĺ !RMITAGEĺ CRIESĺ 3Oĺ .ADAĺ PEGSĺHIMĺWITHĺAĺRIGHTĺHOOKĺTHATĺWOULDĺTAKEĺOFFĺMOSTĺPEOPLElSĺ HEADSĺ4HISĺKINDĺOFĺBEHAVIOURĺESCALATESĺASĺTHEĺüGHTĺGOESĺON ĺ .ADAĺATTACKINGĺ!RMITAGEĺWITHĺAĺTWO BY FOURĺATĺONEĺPOINTĺSEC ONDSĺ LATERĺ HEĺ APOLOGISES ĺ LAUGHSĺ EVEN ĺ &IGHTINGĺ INĺ Aĺ MOVIEĺ ALMOSTĺALWAYSĺDIFFERSĺFROMĺüGHTINGĺINĺTHEĺREALĺWORLD ĺEVENĺIFĺAĺ MOVIEĺENDEAVOURSĺTOĺCAPTUREĺkREALISMl ĺWHICHĺDOESĺNOTĺMEANĺ CAPTURINGĺ HOWĺ LONGĺ Aĺ REALĺ üGHTĺ MIGHTĺ LASTĺ ANDĺ HOWĺ CAPABLEĺ ANDĺSKILFULĺüGHTERSĺARE ĺBUTĺHOWĺTHEĺPHYSICALĺBODYĺRESPONDSĺ TOĺTRAUMAĺ-OSTĺCINEMATICĺMíLÀESĺpĺESPECIALLYĺOFĺTHEĺ+UNGĺ &UĺVARIETYĺpĺWOULDĺBEĺOVERĺINĺSECONDSĺ!UDIENCESĺKNOWĺTHISĺ ANDĺ SUSPENDĺ DISBELIEFĺ ACCORDINGLYĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVElSĺ MíLÀEĺ ISĺ FARĺ FROM ĺSAY ĺTHEĺFANTASTICAL ĺHIGH TECHĺWUXIAĺPIANĺOFĺ4HEĺ-ATRIX ĺ BUTĺITlSĺSTILLĺMARKEDLYĺWEIRD ĺEVENĺBYĺCINEMATICĺSTANDARDSĺOFĺ ADAPTIVEEXTRAPOLATIVEĺREALISM 7EIRDESTĺOFĺALLĺISĺTHEĺSHEERĺLENGTHĺOFĺTHEĺüGHTĺ4HEĺLONGERĺ ITĺGOESĺONĺpĺSTOPPING ĺTHREATENINGĺTOĺEND ĺTHENĺSTARTINGĺAGAINĺ pĺTHEĺSTRANGERĺANDĺMOREĺESTRANGING ĺITĺBECOMES ĺDEFYINGĺNOR MATIVEĺTIMEFRAMESĺOFĺCINEMATICĺVIOLENCEĺ!Sĺ)ĺWATCHEDĺITĺFORĺ THEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺINĺTHEĺTHEATRE ĺ)ĺVIVIDLYĺREMEMBERĺMYĺEVOLVINGĺ DISBELIEFĺAMIDĺTHEĺGROANSĺANDĺGUFFAWSĺOFĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺREACT INGĺTOĺWHATĺTHEYĺLIKELYĺPERCEIVEDĺASĺEITHERĺSILLINESSĺORĺDARINGĺ ONĺTHEĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺüLMMAKERĺ"YĺTHEĺTIMEĺTHEĺüGHTĺWASĺOVER ĺ !RMITAGEĺBEATENĺTOĺAĺPOINTĺTHATĺHEĺCOULDNlTĺSTOPĺ.ADAĺFROMĺ SHOVINGĺ THEĺ SUNGLASSESĺ ONTOĺ HISĺ FACE ĺ ITĺ SEEMEDĺ LIKEĺ THIRTYĺ MINUTESĺHADĺPASSEDĺ)NTENTIONSĺANDĺEFFECTSĺASIDE ĺ#ARPENTERĺ HADĺCERTAINLYĺSHOTĺAĺkGREATĺLONGĺüGHTl 76

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4HEĺüGHTlSĺMOVESĺCOMPLEMENTĺITSĺABSURDĺLENGTHĺ.ADAĺANDĺ !RMITAGEĺDONlTĺJUSTĺPUNCHĺEACHĺOTHERĺ4HEYĺEXECUTEĺANĺASSORT MENTĺ OFĺ WRESTLINGĺ TECHNIQUES ĺ INCLUDINGĺ CHOKEĺ HOLDS ĺ BODYĺ DROPS ĺ HEADĺ BUTTS ĺ EYEĺ GOUGES ĺ ANDĺ MYĺ FAVOURITE ĺ ANĺ ALL OUTĺ CROTCHĺ ATTACKĺ DURINGĺ WHICHĺ !RMITAGEĺ CRAWLSĺ ATOPĺ .ADAĺ ANDĺ RAMSĺHISĺKNEEĺINTOĺ.ADAlSĺGROINĺüVEĺTIMESĺCASTĺINĺSILHOUETTE ĺ THEYĺMIGHTĺBEĺMISTAKENĺFORĺTWOĺMENĺHAVINGĺROUGHĺSEX ĺ4HISĺ ISĺNOĺSTREETĺüGHTĺ)TlSĺAĺTASTEĺOFĺ7RESTLEMANIAĺTHATĺHAPPENSĺ TOĺERUPTĺONĺTHEĺSTREETĺ!SĺSUCH ĺITlSĺDISRUPTIVEĺ4HEĺüGHTĺSTICKSĺ OUTĺLIKEĺAĺSOREĺTHUMBĺANDĺJARSĺUSĺAWAKE ĺASĺITĺWERE ĺBECAUSEĺ ITĺBREAKSĺTHEĺONTOLOGICALĺLAWSĺTHATĺTHEĺRESTĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺOBEYSĺ 0IPERĺCONSUMESĺ.ADAĺHEREĺWEĺKNOWĺIT ĺANDĺWEĺREVELĺINĺITĺ "UTĺ THEĺ EFFECTĺ REMAINSĺ UNCANNYĺ !NDĺ THISĺ ISĺ WHYĺ THEĺ üGHTĺ ISĺ kGREATlĺ pĺ INĺ ANDĺ OFĺ ITSELFĺ ANDĺ ASĺ Aĺ CULTĺ ARTEFACTĺ4HEĺ üGHTĺ kSUCCEEDSlĺBECAUSEĺITĺFAILSĺTOĺACHIEVEĺREALISMĺEVENĺASĺVIEW ERSĺSUSPENDĺTHEIRĺDISBELIEFĺ)TlSĺGREATĺBECAUSEĺITlSĺIDIOTICĺANDĺ BANGSĺTHEĺGONGSĺOFĺJOUISSANCE !FTERĺTHEĺüGHT ĺ0IPERĺRETREATSĺINTOĺ.ADAĺLIKEĺAĺPOLTERGEIST ĺ TEMPORARILYĺ EXHAUSTEDĺ BYĺ ANDĺ EXORCISEDĺ OFĺ HISĺ POWERSĺ7Eĺ KNOWĺ HElLLĺ BEĺ BACK ĺ STRONGERĺ ANDĺ MADDER ĺ SPITTINGĺ VENOMĺ ANDĺPULVERIZINGĺALIENS ĺFORĺAĺCLIMAXĺTHATĺPROMISESĺMOREĺTHANĺ ITĺCOULDĺPOSSIBLYĺDELIVERĺ!TĺTHISĺPOINT ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺCASTSĺITSELFĺ ASĺ Aĺ METAüCTIONĺ MOREĺ THANĺ ANYWHEREĺ ELSE ĺ ILLUMINATINGĺ THEĺ CONSTRUCTED ĺFORMULAIC ĺPIECED TOGETHERĺCONTOURSĺOFĺTHEĺCIN EMATICĺBODYĺ.ADAĺHASĺBEENĺDENATURALISEDĺAND ĺLIKEĺTHEĺWORLDĺ HEĺLIVESĺIN ĺEXPOSEDĺASĺAĺHOAX ĺORĺATĺLEASTĺAĺFA¾ADEĺ!NDĺ0IPERĺ ISĺAĺFA¾ADEĺpĺNOTĺAĺPERSON ĺBUTĺAĺPERSONA ĺFORGEDĺBYĺTHEĺPOPĺ UNIVERSEĺOFĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLINGĺ,IKEWISEĺWITHĺTHEĺMEDIUMĺ THATĺINTERPELLATESĺ.ADA 0IPERĺ"YĺRUPTURINGĺDIEGETICĺREALITYĺANDĺ CALLINGĺATTENTIONĺTOĺITSĺOWNĺCLOCKWORK ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺCRITIQUESĺTHEĺ PRODUCTIONĺOFĺCINEMAĺITSELF ĺPRINCIPALLYĺTHEĺACTION HEROĺBLOCK BUSTERSĺITĺBORROWSĺFROMĺANDĺARTFULLYĺDRAGSĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺGUTTERSĺ &INALLY ĺ THEĺ IRREALITYĺ OFĺ THEĺ üGHTĺ SCENEĺ POINTSĺ TOĺ THEĺ IDEAĺ THATĺTHEĺüLMĺMAYĺBEĺAĺPATHOLOGICAL ĺWOULD BEĺAGENTIALĺFANTASYĺ 77

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Nada-Piper administers a makeshift suplex on his opponent.

PLAYINGĺOUTĺONĺ.ADAlSĺMINDSCREENĺ&ROMĺTHISĺANGLE ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ FOREGROUNDSĺ ONEĺ MANlSĺ SUBJECTIVEĺ ANDĺ UNCONSCIOUSĺ DESIRESĺ OVERĺTHEĺEMANATIONSĺOFĺSOCIETYĺANDĺCULTUREĺATĺLARGEĺ"YĺkONEĺ MANl ĺ )ĺ MEANĺ .ADAĺ aĺ BUTĺ )ĺ ALSOĺ MEANĺ #ARPENTERĺ !Sĺ *OHNĺ -UIRĺNOTES ĺTHEĺüGHTĺISĺABOUTĺTHEĺüLMlSĺDIRECTORĺMOREĺTHANĺTHEĺ PROTAGONISTĺANDĺTHEĺüLMĺITSELF 4HISĺSTRANGEĺüGHTĺCOMESĺFROMĺ#ARPENTERlSĺLOVEĺOFĺPROFES SIONALĺWRESTLING ĺANDĺTHEĺBATTLEĺINDEEDĺCOMESĺACROSSĺLIKEĺ Aĺ77&ĺEVENTĺ4HEĺCHARACTERSĺLIFTĺANDĺTHROWĺEACHĺOTHER ĺ BUTĺTHEYĺAREĺNOTĺONĺAĺCUSHIONEDĺMATĺpĺTHEYĺAREĺONĺHARDĺ ASPHALTĺSTREETS
ĺ4HISĺFACTĺTHROWSĺBELIEVABILITYĺOUTĺTHEĺWIN DOWĺINĺAĺWAYĺTHEĺALIENS ĺCONSPIRACIESĺANDĺGUNüGHTĺNEVERĺ COULDĺ)NDEED ĺTHISĺüGHTĺSEQUENCEĺSEEMSĺTOĺCONüRMĺTHEĺ ALIENĺPOINTĺOFĺVIEWĺTHATĺHUMANĺBEINGSĺAREĺSTUPIDĺANIMALSĺ 4HEĺOBVIOUSĺTRUTHĺABOUTĺTHISĺüGHTĺSCENEĺISĺTHATĺTHEREĺISĺ NOĺREALĺDRAMATICALLYĺMOTIVATEDĺREASONĺFORĺ&RANKĺANDĺ.ADAĺ TOĺ üGHTĺ ONEĺ ANOTHERĺ9ET ĺ TOĺ GIVEĺ THEĺ DEVILĺ HISĺ DUE ĺ THISĺ üGHTĺ ISĺ PUREĺ #ARPENTERĺ BRILLIANTLYĺ STAGED ĺ SHOTĺ ANDĺ ED ITEDĺ!NDĺITĺAGAINĺDEMONSTRATESĺ#ARPENTERlSĺTOTALĺINDIVID UALITYĺASĺAĺüLMMAKERĺ(EĺINCLUDEDĺTHISĺüGHTĺBECAUSEĺHEĺ ENJOYEDĺ ITĺ pĺ AUDIENCEĺ ANDĺ DRAMATICĺ NEEDSĺ BEĺ DAMNED
ĺ !ĺ VIEWERĺ MIGHTĺ PREFERĺ THEĺ MOREĺ ELEGANTĺ STYLEĺ OFĺ üGHT 78

T HEY LIVE

INGĺDEMONSTRATEDĺINĺ"IGĺ4ROUBLEĺINĺ,ITTLEĺ#HINA ĺBUTĺATĺTHEĺ TIMEĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺ#ARPENTERĺWANTEDĺTOĺEXPLOREĺTHEĺUSEĺ OFĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLINGĺINĺüLMĺpĺANDĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺLIKEĺALLĺ OFĺ#ARPENTERlSĺüLMS ĺCLEARLYĺISĺAĺPRODUCTĺOFĺITSĺDIRECTORlSĺ PERSONALĺVISIONĺĺ

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T HEY LIVE

Street brawl or rough sex?

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CULT O GRA PHIES

FANSĺOFĺ0IPERĺANDĺPROĺWRESTLINGĺ-ASCULINEĺSPECTATORSĺTHUSĺ BECOMEĺVOYEURSĺOGLINGĺTHEĺSPECTACLEĺOFĺTHEIRĺOWNĺPRECARI OUSĺMASCULINITY &ORĺALLĺTHESEĺREASONS ĺ)ĺWANTĺTOĺPUTĺFORWARDĺTHATĺTHEĺSCENEĺ INĺ QUESTION ĺ Aĺ PARADOXICALLYĺ DISPOSABLEĺ YETĺ INDISPENSABLEĺ DISPLAYĺ OFĺ VARIANCE ĺ REPRESENTSĺ WHATĺ AMOUNTSĺ TOĺ Aĺ ZEITGEISTĺ OFĺVIOLENCEĺANDĺFETISHISEDĺMASCULINITYĺINĺTHEĺSĺ)TĺISĺTHEĺ MOSTĺTRANSGRESSIVEĺDISPLAYĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺBYĺDINTĺOFĺITSĺNARRATIVEĺ VARIATIONĺFROMĺkREALITYlĺINTOĺIRREALITYĺ)TĺISĺDOUBLYĺTRANSGRESSIVEĺ INĺITSĺVARIATIONĺOFĺNORMATIVEĺHETEROSEXUALITY ĺUNDERSCORINGĺTHEĺ FORCESĺOFĺMALEĺINSECURITYĺTHATĺAUTHORISEĺTHEĺDIEGESESĺOFĺTHEĺ üLMĺANDĺTHEĺREALĺWORLD -OREOVER ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺADDRESSESĺAĺRACIALĺDILEMMAĺTHAT ĺLIKEĺ SEXUALITY ĺPLAYSĺOUTĺINĺTHEĺRELATIONSHIPĺBETWEENĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!R MITAGEĺANDĺCRESTSĺINĺTHEĺüGHTĺSCENEĺ!RMITAGEĺRESISTSĺ.ADAĺ FROMĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺHEĺRESISTSĺ.ADAlSĺNOSINESS ĺHISĺCOMPUL SIONĺ TOĺ SEEKĺ OUTĺ THEĺ TRUTH ĺ ANDĺ DURINGĺ THEĺ üGHT ĺ HEĺ RESISTSĺ .ADAlSĺ INSISTENCEĺ ONĺ WEARINGĺ THEĺ SUNGLASSES ĺ LITERALĺ ANDĺ SYMBOLICĺ INSTRUMENTSĺ OFĺ PERCEPTIONĺ ,ITERALLY ĺ ASĺ WEĺ KNOW ĺ THEĺSUNGLASSESĺWILLĺSHOWĺHIMĺTHEĺBLACK AND WHITEĺREALITYĺTHATĺ LURKSĺ BEHINDĺ THEĺ COLOURFULĺ CURTAINĺ OFĺ CAPITALISTĺ ILLUSIONĺ 3YM BOLICALLY ĺ THEYĺ REMINISCEĺ THEĺ POWERĺ STRUGGLESĺ OFĺ !MERICANĺ SLAVERY ĺASĺ,ETHEMĺADVISES )FĺWElREĺNOTĺUTTERLYĺRACEĺBLIND ĺTHERElSĺAĺSPECIALĺPOIGNANCYĺ ATĺTHEĺLENGTHSĺOFĺ&RANKlSĺRESISTANCEĺTOĺTHEĺWAKE UPĺCALLĺ .OĺWHITEĺOUTLAWĺISĺGOINGĺTOĺTELLĺTHISĺBLACKĺWORKERĺHOWĺTOĺ PROTECTĺHISĺFAMILY
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MOREĺTHANĺAĺMEANSĺFORĺ#ARPENTERĺTOĺSTAGEĺAĺLENGTHYĺBRAWLĺ .ADAĺCONVERTSĺINTOĺTHEĺWHITEĺMASTERĺATTEMPTINGĺTOĺFORCEĺHISĺ VIEWPOINTĺONTOĺTHEĺBLACKĺSLAVEĺ(EĺMAYĺBEĺTRYINGĺTOĺEDUCATEĺ !RMITAGE ĺRATHERĺTHANĺKEEPĺHIMĺIGNORANTĺANDĺkHAPPYl ĺASĺWASĺ THEĺCUSTOMĺOFĺMOSTĺ!NTEBELLUMĺSLAVEOWNERSĺWHOĺDISALLOWEDĺ THEIRĺSLAVESĺFROMĺLEARNINGĺHOWĺTOĺREADĺ4HEĺAUTHORITYĺOFĺ.A DAlSĺAGGRESSION ĺHOWEVER ĺFARĺEXCEEDSĺHISĺALLEGEDĺOBJECTIVEĺ AFTERĺALL ĺHEĺTHREATENSĺTOĺBEATĺ!RMITAGEĺIFĺHEĺDOESNlTĺLISTENĺTOĺ HIMĺ ANDĺ BOWĺ TOĺ HISĺ WILLĺ (ISĺ OBJECTIVEĺ ISĺ QUESTIONABLEĺ ANY WAYĺ $OESĺ HEĺ GENUINELYĺ CAREĺ ABOUTĺ !RMITAGEĺ ANDĺ HAVEĺ HISĺ BESTĺINTERESTSĺINĺMIND ĺORĺDOESĺHEĺSIMPLYĺNOTĺWANTĺTOĺBEĺTHEĺ ONLYĺONEĺWHOĺCANĺSEEĺTHEĺALIENSĺANDĺTHEIRĺSUBLIMINALĺSIGNAGEĺ #ONCEIVABLYĺ.ADAĺJUSTĺWANTSĺSOMEBODYĺTOĺHELPĺHIMĺSATISFYĺ HISĺDESIREĺTOĺkWINlĺIEĺTOĺCOMPENSATE ĺWHICHĺHEĺFEELSĺUNABLEĺ TOĺ DOĺ BYĺ HIMSELFĺ!FRICAN !MERICANSĺ BEARĺ Aĺ LONGĺ TRADITIONĺ OFĺ kHELPINGlĺWHITEĺPEOPLEĺACHIEVEĺTHEIRĺGOALS ĺANDĺATĺTHEIRĺOWNĺ EXPENSEĺ)TĺPANSĺOUTĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺ!RMITAGEĺDIESĺBUTĺNOTĺBEFOREĺ SUBORDINATINGĺ.ADAĺINĺkSAVINGĺTHEĺWORLDlĺ'IVENĺTHISĺTRADITION ĺ !RMITAGElSĺDEüANCEĺSEEMSĺRATIONALĺ)TĺISĺPERHAPSĺONLYĺUNDERĺ THEĺBASESTĺAUSPICESĺOFĺ!MERICANĺHISTORYĺTHATĺITĺCOULDĺBEĺRATIO NALĺASĺOPPOSEDĺTOĺAĺMEREĺVEHICLEĺFORĺ#ARPENTERlSĺSPECTACLE 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ ISĺ Aĺ MOVIEĺ ABOUTĺ EXPOSUREĺ %XPOSUREĺ TOĺ CLASSĺ DIVISIONSĺ %XPOSUREĺ TOĺ RACIALĺ TRAUMAĺ %XPOSUREĺ TOĺ ENEMIESĺ OFĺ THEĺ BODYĺ ANDĺ OFĺ CONSCIOUSNESSĺ %XPOSUREĺ TOĺ PATRIARCHALĺ AUTHORITIESĺ-OSTĺOFĺALL ĺEXPOSUREĺTOĺTHEĺVARIOUSĺREALITIESĺTHATĺ ACTIVATEĺ THEĺ HUMANĺ CONDITIONĺ (ENCEĺ OVEREXPOSUREĺ 4HEĺ (OFFMENĺLENSESĺREPRESENTĺTHEĺCONVERGENCEĺOFĺTHISĺAFČICTIONĺ 4HEĺ MISE EN SCġNESĺ THATĺ THEYĺ REVEALĺ LOOKĺ LIKEĺ OVEREXPOSEDĺ PHOTOGRAPHS ĺ WHITEWASHEDĺ OFĺ COLOUR ĺ STRIPPEDĺ OFĺ üNERĺ NU ANCESĺ )Nĺ TERMSĺ OFĺ RACE ĺ ITĺ ISĺ CRUCIALĺ THATĺ REALITYĺ AVAILSĺ ITSELFĺ INĺ BLACK AND WHITE ĺ LAYINGĺ BAREĺ THEĺ SPECTREĺ OFĺ RACIALĺ CONČICTĺ THAT ĺ ATĺ THEĺ VERYĺ LEAST ĺ UNDERGIRDSĺ ANDĺ EMPOWERSĺ .ADAĺ VSĺ !RMITAGEĺ-OREĺIMPERATIVEĺISĺTHEĺISSUEĺOFĺVIOLENCEĺ0SYCHO LOGICALLY ĺIDEOLOGICALLY ĺSYMBOLICALLYĺANDĺPHYSICALLY ĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺ 83

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OVEREXPOSUREĺOFĺVIOLENTĺOUTBREAKSĺTRUMPSĺALLĺOTHERĺISSUESĺANDĺ CONSTITUTESĺTHEĺTHEMATICĺHEARTBEATĺOFĺTHEĺüLM )Nĺ 6IOLENCE ĺ 3LAVOJĺ iIwEKĺ IDENTIüESĺ TWOĺ KINDSĺ OFĺ VIOLENCE ĺ kSUBJECTIVElĺ ANDĺ kOBJECTIVElĺ 3UBJECTIVEĺ VIOLENCEĺ COMPRISESĺ VISIBLEĺACTSĺkPERFORMEDĺBYĺAĺCLEARLYĺIDENTIüABLEĺAGENTlĺĺ  ĺMEANINGĺACTSĺOFĺVIOLENCEĺCOMMITTEDĺBYĺANDĺBETWEENĺSUB JECTS ĺ SOCIALLYĺ CONSTRUCTEDĺ ANDĺ INTERPELLATEDĺ INDIVIDUALSĺ ANDĺ COMMUNITIESĺ/BJECTIVEĺVIOLENCEĺISĺkINVISIBLElĺANDĺCOMPRISESĺ THEĺSYMBOLICĺpĺkVIOLENCEĺEMBODIEDĺINĺLANGUAGEĺANDĺITSĺFORMSlĺ ĺ  ĺ pĺ ANDĺ THEĺ SYSTEMICĺ pĺ kTHEĺ OFTENĺ CATASTROPHICĺ CON SEQUENCESĺ OFĺ THEĺ SMOOTHĺ FUNCTIONINGĺ OFĺ OURĺ ECONOMICĺ ANDĺ POLITICALĺ SYSTEMSlĺ IBID ĺ4HESEĺ ABSTRACTĺ FORMSĺ SUPPLEMENTĺ kREALlĺORĺPHYSICALĺVIOLENCE ĺkACTSĺOFĺCRIMEĺANDĺTERROR ĺCIVILĺUN REST ĺINTERNATIONALĺCONČICTlĺĺ ĺ!LLĺOFĺTHEMĺCOEXISTĺATĺTHEĺ NARRATIVEĺVANGUARDĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ#ITINGĺ'UYĺ$EBORDĺANDĺ,OUISĺ !LTHUSSER ĺ)ĺDISCUSSEDĺINĺCHAPTERĺFOURĺHOWĺ.ADAĺANDĺOTHERSĺ AREĺ IDEOLOGICALLYĺ PRODUCEDĺ ASĺ SOCIALĺ BODIESĺ BYĺ OPPRESSIVEĺ CAPITALISTĺ FORCESĺ pĺ THEĺ QUINTESSENCEĺ OFĺ SUBJECTIVEĺ VIOLENCEĺ INĺTHEĺüLMĺ3YMBOLICĺVIOLENCEĺMANIFESTSĺMOSTĺCLEARLYĺINĺTHEĺ SUBLIMINALĺ MESSAGESĺ Aĺ LANGUAGEĺ OFĺ CAPITAL ĺ THATĺ THEĺ ALIENSĺ HIDEĺ BEHINDĺ THEĺ SIGNSĺ OFĺ CONSUMERISMĺ ANDĺ URBANITYĺ FORĺ THEĺ PURPOSESĺOFĺFORCINGĺTHEĺHUMANĺMASSESĺINTOĺONEIRICĺSUBMIS SIONĺ7EĺSEEĺOVERTĺSYSTEMICĺVIOLENCEĺINĺ4HEYĺ,IVElSĺINTRICATEĺ ANDĺPOLITICALLY CHARGEDĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺ2EAGANISMĺ!NDĺTHEREĺISĺEX TENSIVEĺPHYSICALĺVIOLENCE ĺTHEĺüGHTĺSCENEĺABOVEĺALL ĺBUTĺALSOĺ THEĺ POLICEĺ RAIDĺ ONĺ *USTICEVILLE ĺ .ADAlSĺ SHOOTINGĺ SPREES ĺ THEĺ MNEMONICĺIMAGEĺOFĺHISĺFATHERlSĺABUSE ĺTHEĺJOLTINGĺIMAGEĺOFĺ (OLLYĺBRAININGĺHIMĺANDĺ.ADAĺCRASHINGĺOUTĺAĺWINDOW ĺANDĺSOĺ ONĺ .ADAlSĺ VERBALĺ TIRADESĺ PACKĺ Aĺ WALLOP ĺ TOOĺ6IOLENTĺ ACTSĺ OFĺ BOTHĺWEIRDĺANDĺBELIEVABLEĺCALIBERSĺPERVADEĺTHEĺüLMĺANDĺEITHERĺ STEMĺFROMĺORĺSURROUNDĺTHEĺPROTAGONIST ĺWHOSEĺARRIVALĺINĺ,OSĺ !NGELESĺANDĺTHEĺCINEMATICĺDIEGESIS ĺSETSĺTHEĺWHEELSĺOFĺRACK AND RUINĺINĺMOTIONĺ)NĺHISĺABSENCE ĺPRESUMABLYĺTHINGSĺWOULDĺ HAVEĺ REMAINEDĺ kPEACEFULl ĺ WHICHĺ ISĺ TOĺ SAY ĺ VIOLENCEĺ WOULDĺ 84

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HAVEĺBEENĺRELEGATEDĺTOĺITSĺSUBJECTIVE ĺSYMBOLICĺANDĺSYSTEMICĺ FORMS )NĺTHEĺEPILOGUEĺOFĺHISĺBOOK ĺiIwEKĺINDICATESĺTHATĺVIOLENCE ĺ EXHIBITEDĺ INĺ üLMSĺ LIKEĺ 4AXIĺ $RIVERĺ  ĺ ANDĺ 4HEĺ &UGITIVEĺ  ĺ ASĺ WELLĺ ASĺ THEĺ #HINESEĺ #ULTURALĺ 2EVOLUTIONĺ ANDĺ .AZIĺ 'ERMANY ĺOFTENĺORIGINATESĺINĺAĺPASSAGEĺAĺLlACTE ĺANĺIMPULSIVEĺ ANDĺCOMPENSATORYĺREACTIONĺTOĺSOMEĺKINDĺOFĺAUTHENTICĺORĺMIS PERCEIVED ĺ ANTAGONISMĺ AGAINSTĺ THEĺ INDIVIDUALĺ ORĺ COLLECTIVE ĺ SELFĺ4HESEĺREACTIONSĺAREĺCHRONICALLYĺIMPOTENTĺTHEIRĺEXECUTIONĺ SOLVESĺ NOTHINGĺ7Eĺ COULDĺ SAYĺ THEĺ SAMEĺ THINGĺ ABOUTĺ .ADAlSĺ OWNĺVIOLENTĺPASSAGEĺAĺLlACTE ĺWHETHERĺWHATĺHAPPENSĺINĺTHEĺ üLMĺISĺkREALlĺORĺAĺPATHOLOGICALĺWISH FULüLMENTĺFANTASYĺUNFOLD INGĺ ONTOĺ HISĺ MINDSCREENĺ7Eĺ DONlTĺ KNOWĺ WHATĺ HAPPENSĺ AF TERĺ.ADAĺDESTROYSĺTHEĺSIGNALĺ7EĺKNOWĺTHATĺHUMANSĺCANĺSEEĺ ALIENSĺAUĺNATURELĺNOWĺ3HOULDĺWEĺASSUME ĺSAY ĺTHATĺHUMANSĺ WILLĺPROMPTLYĺREVOLTĺAGAINSTĺTHEIRĺMASTERSĺ#OMPLEMENTSĺOFĺ .ADA ĺWILLĺkTHEĺVIOLENTĺOVERTHROWĺOFĺTHEĺBOURGEOISIEĺLAYĺaĺTHEĺ FOUNDATIONĺFORĺTHEĺSWAYĺOFĺTHEĺPROLETARIATkĺ-ARXĺĺ ĺ -OREĺLIKELY ĺTHEĺALIENSĺWILLĺREINSTALLĺTHEĺSIGNALĺANDĺSOCIETYĺWILLĺ RETURNĺTOĺBUSINESSĺASĺUSUALĺ)NĺANYĺEVENT ĺALLĺWEĺCANĺBEĺSUREĺ OFĺ ATĺ THEĺ CONCLUSIONĺ OFĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ ISĺ .ADAlSĺ DEATHĺ pĺ LITERAL ĺ METAPHORICAL ĺORĺBOTHĺpĺANDĺTHEĺBRUISES ĺTHEĺBULLETĺHOLES ĺTHEĺ ECHOESĺOFĺRANTSĺANDĺWISECRACKSĺHEĺLEAVESĺBEHINDĺHIM

85

6 LEGACIES

FINAL (OVER)EXPOSURES )Nĺ THEĺ AFTERMATHĺ OFĺ .ADAĺ ANDĺ !RMITAGElSĺ DECIDEDLYĺ MUTUALĺ ASSKICKING ĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ FEELSĺ Aĺ LOTĺ LIKEĺ ANTICLIMAXĺ /VERĺ THIRTYĺ MINUTESĺREMAINĺ$ESPITEĺPLENTYĺOFĺBLAZINGĺGUNüREĺANDĺSOMEĺ KEYĺEXPOSITORYĺDIALOGUE ĺATĺNOĺPOINTĺDOESĺTHEĺüLMĺACCOMPLISHĺ SUCHĺAĺLEVELĺOFĺUNCANNINESS ĺBADNESSĺANDĺWISTFULĺFEROCITYĺASĺITĺ DOESĺDURINGĺ#ARPENTERlSĺHOMAGEĺTOĺPROĺWRESTLING .ADAĺ ANDĺ !RMITAGEĺ NEVERĺ BECOMEĺ BOSOMĺ BUDDIES ĺ BUTĺ THEYĺDOĺBECOMEĺBROTHERS IN ARMSĺ(IDINGĺOUTĺATĺAĺHOTEL ĺTHEYĺ ENCOUNTERĺ'ILBERT ĺONEĺOFĺ*USTICEVILLElSĺREBELĺLEADERSĺ(EĺTIPSĺ THEMĺOFFĺTOĺAĺSECRETĺMEETINGĺWHEREĺFELLOWĺHUMANSĺCONSPIREĺ TOĺOVERTHROWĺTHEĺALIENSĺ(OLLYĺSHOWSĺUP ĺANDĺAFTERWARDSĺSOĺ DOĺ THEĺ COPSĺ4HEYĺ MASSACREĺ MOSTĺ OFĺ THEĺ REBELSĺ WITHĺ SHOT GUNSĺANDĺ5ZISĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMITAGEĺSHOOTĺTHEIRĺWAYĺOUTĺANDĺ UNINTENTIONALLYĺOPENĺAĺPORTALĺINĺANĺALLEYWAYĺTHATĺLEADSĺTHEMĺ TOĺAĺLABYRINTHĺBENEATHĺTHEĺCITYĺpĺTHEĺALIENSlĺUNDERGROUNDĺkLAIRlĺ 3KIRTINGĺSOLDIERSĺONĺPATROL ĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMITAGEĺDISCOVERĺAĺLAV ISHĺDINNERĺPARTYĺINĺANĺENORMOUSĺ6ICTORIANĺBALLROOMĺATTENDEDĺ 86

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BYĺALIENSĺAND ĺASĺTHEĺKEYNOTEĺSPEAKERĺCALLSĺTHEM ĺTHEĺkHUMANĺ POWERĺELITElĺALIENĺFRIENDLIES ĺ!MONGĺTHEĺELITEĺISĺTHEĺ$RIFTER ĺ WHOĺRECOGNISESĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMITAGEĺFROMĺ*USTICEVILLEĺ)NĺSPITEĺ OFĺ THEIRĺ RAGTAGĺ ATTIRE ĺ HEĺ WELCOMESĺ THEMĺ kABOARDlĺ ANDĺ PRO CEEDSĺ TOĺ GIVEĺ THEMĺ Aĺ TOURĺ OFĺ kBACKSTAGEĺ ATĺ THEĺ SHOWlĺ7Eĺ LEARNĺMOREĺABOUTĺTHEĺALIENSĺHEREĺTHANĺANYWHEREĺELSEĺINĺTHEĺ üLMĺMOTIVES ĺMETHODS ĺINTENTS ĺ4HEĺ$RIFTERlSĺTOURĺCONCLUDESĺ JUSTĺOUTSIDEĺ#ABLEĺĺINĺTHEĺCONTROLĺROOMĺTHATĺGENERATESĺTHEĺ MASTERĺSIGNALĺ.ADAĺANDĺ!RMITAGEĺKILLĺTWOĺGUARDSĺANDĺSTORMĺ THEĺ46ĺSTUDIOĺ!IDEDĺBYĺ(OFFMANĺCONTACTĺLENSES ĺTHEYĺCANĺSEEĺ ALIENĺANDĺHUMANĺEMPLOYEES ĺANDĺTHEYĺBLASTĺTHEIRĺWAYĺTOĺTHEĺ ROOFĺ.EARĺTHEĺTOPĺTHEYĺüNDĺ(OLLYĺFRENZIEDĺNOW ĺ.ADAĺDRAGSĺ HERĺALONGĺWITHĺTHEMĺ)NĺAĺSERVICEĺSTAIRCASE ĺ.ADAĺAERATESĺAĺ GROUPĺOFĺSOLDIERSĺANDĺSCURRIESĺUPĺTHEĺLASTĺSTEPSĺONTOĺTHEĺROOF ĺ SHOUTINGĺFORĺHISĺCOMPANIONSĺTOĺFOLLOWĺ"EFOREĺ!RMITAGEĺCANĺ COMPLY ĺ(OLLYĺPULLSĺAĺHANDGUNĺFROMĺSKINTIGHTĺJEANS ĺPUTSĺITĺTOĺ HISĺTEMPLEĺANDĺPULLSĺTHEĺTRIGGER "ENEATHĺTHEĺNIGHTĺSKY ĺ(OLLYĺCONFRONTSĺ.ADA ĺASSURINGĺHIM ĺ JUSTĺ ASĺ THEĺ $RIFTERĺ DID ĺ THATĺ HEĺ kCANlTĺ WINlĺ !ĺ HELICOPTERĺ AP PEARSĺANDĺ.ADAĺISĺORDEREDĺTOĺSTANDĺDOWNĺ(EĺSHOOTSĺ(OLLY ĺ SHOOTSĺTHEĺSATELLITE ĺANDĺTHEĺSOLDIERSĺINĺTHEĺHELICOPTERĺSHOOTĺ HIMĺ0YROTECHNICSĺENSUEĺpĺTHEĺSATELLITEĺGOESĺUPĺINĺSPARKSĺANDĺ ČAMES ĺ ANDĺ JUSTĺ BEFOREĺ HEĺ DIES ĺ .ADAĺ GIVESĺ THEĺ OCCUPANTSĺ OFĺTHEĺHELICOPTERĺTHEĺüNGER ĺAĺüNALĺk&UCKĺ9OUlĺTOĺTHEĺSYMBOLICĺ FATHERĺTHATĺPRODUCEDĺHIM 4HEĺLASTĺSECONDSĺBRINGĺTHEĺTHEMEĺOFĺOVEREXPOSUREĺINĺ4HEYĺ ,IVEĺTOĺAĺHEADĺASĺTHEĺALIENSĺAREĺREVEALED ĺPRIMARILYĺONĺTELEVI SIONĺSCREENS ĺINĺTHEIRĺTRUEĺkFORMALDEHYDEĺFACElĺFORMSĺ7EĺSEEĺ GHOULISHĺNEWSCASTERSĺANDĺTALKINGĺHEADS ĺONEĺOFĺWHICHĺMAKESĺ Aĺ BRAZENĺ META COMMENTĺ k!LLĺ THEĺ SEXĺ ANDĺ VIOLENCEĺ ONĺ THEĺ SCREENĺHASĺGONEĺTOOĺFARĺFORĺMEĺ)lMĺFEDĺUPĺWITHĺITĺ&ILMMAKERSĺ LIKEĺ'EORGEĺ2OMEROĺANDĺ*OHNĺ#ARPENTERĺHAVEĺTOĺSHOWĺSOMEĺ RESTRAINTlĺ)NĺTHEĺCLOSINGĺSHOT ĺAĺBARE BREASTEDĺWOMAN ĺEYESĺ CLOSED ĺRIDESĺSOMEBODYĺCOWGIRL STYLEĺ7EĺCANlTĺSEEĺHERĺPART 87

CULT O GRA PHIES

Nada gives the finger to the aliens – and, by extension, to the audience.

NERĺ!ĺPOSTERĺTHATĺREADSĺ-!229ĺ!.$ĺ2%02/$5#%ĺHANGSĺONĺ THEĺWALLĺBEHINDĺHER ĺANDĺONĺTHEĺ46ĺATĺTHEĺFOOTĺOFĺTHEĺBED ĺAĺCARĺ COMMERCIALĺSHOWS ĺAMONGĺOTHERĺTHINGS ĺTHEĺHEADLIGHTĺONĺAĺ SPORTSĺCOUPÀĺOPENINGĺUPĺANDĺTURNINGĺONĺIEĺAWAKENING ĺASĺAĺ DEEP ĺMANLY ĺAFFECTEDĺVOICEĺDELIVERSĺTHEĺPITCH ĺWHICHĺCAPITAL IZESĺONĺTHEĺTHEMESĺOFĺMASCULINITYĺANDĺPOWERĺTHATĺHAVEĺRUNĺ THROUGHOUTĺ THEĺ üLMĺ m9OUlREĺ üLLEDĺ WITHĺ LIGHTNINGĺ WHENĺ YOUĺ HITĺTHEĺROADĺ9OUlREĺFEELINGĺTHATĺ6 ĺPOWERĺANDĺYOUĺTAKEĺCON TROLĺ.OTHINGĺCANĺSTOPĺYOUĺNOWnĺ4HEĺCOMMERCIALĺENDSĺWHENĺ AĺMANĺINĺAĺSUITĺWITHĺHISĺBACKĺTOĺTHEĺCAMERAĺISĺSLAPPEDĺINĺTHEĺ FACEĺ BYĺ Aĺ WOMANĺ INĺ Aĺ DRESSĺ!Sĺ SHEĺ STRIDESĺ AWAY ĺ THEĺ MANĺ TURNSĺTOĺTHEĺCAMERAĺANDĺWEĺREALIZEĺHEĺISĺANĺALIENĺ(EĺGASPSĺASĺ IFĺHEĺKNOWSĺTHATĺWEĺCANĺSEEĺHIMĺ4HEĺBARE BREASTEDĺWOMANĺ TURNSĺHERĺEYESĺFROMĺTHEĺ46ĺTOĺHERĺPARTNERĺpĺWHOĺSHE ĺLIKEĺUS ĺ REALIZESĺISĺANĺALIEN ĺTOOĺ0UZZLED ĺTHEĺALIENĺLIFTSĺHISĺHEADĺOFFĺTHEĺ BEDĺANDĺSAYS ĺk(EY ĺWHATlSĺWRONG ĺBABYlĺ2OLLĺCREDITS #HANNELLINGĺGRATUITOUSĺGOREĺCLOSE UPSĺONĺSLIMYĺSKULL FACES ĺ SEXUALITYĺSHOTSĺOFĺTHEĺWOMANlSĺBREASTS ĺTHEĺONLYĺOCCASIONĺOFĺ NUDITYĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺANDĺANĺAIRĺOFĺSELF CONSCIOUSNESSĺTHEĺTALK INGĺHEADlSĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺ#ARPENTERlSĺCINEMATICĺEXCESS ĺTHISĺüNALĺ META NARRATIONALĺ BODYSLAMĺ HEARKENSĺ BACKĺ TOĺ THEĺ MULTIPLICITYĺ OFĺMETA NARRATIONSĺTHATĺINVIGORATEĺTHEĺüLMĺANDĺEXPRESSĺTHAT ĺ FORĺBETTERĺANDĺFORĺWORSE ĺ#ARPENTERĺkKNOWSĺWHATĺHElSĺDOINGl ĺ 88

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CRITIQUINGĺ LATE S ĺ #OLDĺ 7AR ĺ CONSUMER CAPITALISTĺ CULTUREĺ FORĺTHEĺMEDIATISED ĺMISOGYNISTICĺkBUSINESSlĺTHATĺITĺISĺ4HEĺEX PLOITATIONĺOFĺNAKEDĺBREASTSĺASĺAĺMETAPHORĺFORĺkSEEINGl ĺkTRUTHl ĺ kWAKEFULNESSlĺORĺkCONSCIOUSNESSlĺVERIüESĺAĺCRISISĺOFĺMALEĺDE SIREĺANDĺINCRIMINATESĺTHEĺMALEĺGAZEĺ4HEĺBREASTSĺAREĺANĺADO LESCENTĺJAB ĺBUTĺNOTĺWITHOUTĺRHYMEĺANDĺREASONĺ)NĺFACT ĺTHEYĺ MAYĺJUSTĺSIGNIFY ĺONCEĺANDĺFORĺALL ĺTHEĺüLMlSĺASCENDANTĺTHESISĺ THEĺPROBLEMĺWITHĺSOCIETY ĺSPECIüCALLYĺTHEĺVIOLENTĺNATUREĺOFĺSO CIALĺCONDUCT ĺNOWĺANDĺTHROUGHOUTĺHISTORY ĺISĺMENĺ(ENCEĺTHEĺ 4HEYĺOFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺTITLEĺAREĺMASCULINEĺSUBJECTSĺINĺPOWERĺ4HEĺ THESISĺCLASHESĺWITHĺ#ARPENTERlSĺMODUSĺOPERANDI ĺHEREĺANDĺINĺ MOSTĺOFĺHISĺüLMS ĺWHICHĺTAKESĺNOTEDĺPLEASUREĺINĺVIOLENCEĺANDĺ AGGRESSIVEĺMASCULINEĺPLAY ĺENDORSINGĺTHEĺEXPLOITSĺOFĺMASCU LINEĺSUBJECTSĺ(ISĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺSĺCULTUREĺANDĺTHEĺPRIMACYĺOFĺ CAPITALISTĺPATRIARCHYĺANDĺCLASSĺDIVISIONSĺCOLLAPSESĺUPONĺITSELF ĺ ASĺ DOESĺ THEĺ NOTIONĺ THATĺ HEĺ kKNOWSĺ WHATĺ HElSĺ DOINGlĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺREAFüRMSĺMASCULINITYĺWITHĺONEĺHANDĺANDĺUNDERMINESĺITĺ WITHĺTHEĺOTHER ĺRENDERINGĺ#ARPENTERlSĺWOULD BEĺWAKE UPĺCALLĺ PROFOUNDLYĺ INANEĺ pĺ NOTĺ BECAUSEĺ OFĺ DUMBĺ ARTIüCESĺ LIKEĺ (OFF MANĺ LENSES ĺ BUTĺ BECAUSEĺ OFĺ GENDERĺ TECHNICALITIESĺ )Nĺ TERMSĺ OFĺITSĺCULTĺSTATUS ĺTHISĺISĺPERHAPSĺTHEĺüLMlSĺGREATESTĺTRANSGRES SIONĺ ANĺ ATTEMPTĺ TOĺ MAKEĺ Aĺ SERIOUSĺ CRITIQUE ĺ THEĺ EFFECTSĺ OFĺ WHICHĺRUPTUREĺINTOĺBOYISHĺGOOüNESSĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺWANTSĺMUCHĺ MOREĺ THANĺ ITĺ CANĺ POSSIBLYĺ DELIVER ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ EXPOSEDĺ BREASTSĺ REPRESENTĺNOTHINGĺSHORTĺOFĺANĺORGASMICĺINSIGNIAĺOFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺ SPECTACULARĺFAILURE 2EMOVEDĺ FROMĺ THISĺ GENDEREDĺ ANALYSIS ĺ 2OBERTĺ #UMBOWĺ CONTENDSĺk4HEĺLASTĺSHOT ĺOFĺAĺNAKEDĺCOUPLEĺMAKINGĺLOVE ĺANDĺ THEĺ HUMANĺ WOMANĺ SUDDENLYĺ SEEINGĺ FORĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ TIMEĺ THEĺ TRUEĺFACEĺOFĺHERĺALIENĺLOVER ĺISĺAĺCLEVERĺSIGHTĺGAGĺOFĺANĺENDINGĺ "UTĺITĺALSOĺMAKESĺUSĺWONDERĺABOUTĺTHEĺEXTENTĺTOĺWHICHĺTHEĺ ALIENSĺHAVEĺALREADYĺINBREDĺWITHĺEARTHĺPEOPLE ĺANDĺRECOGNIZEĺ THATĺINĺTHEĺFUTURE ĺITĺMAYĺBEĺEVENĺHARDERĺTOĺTELLĺTHEMĺFROMĺUSlĺ ĺ ĺ!SĺMENTIONEDĺBEFORE ĺTHEĺFUTUREĺISĺAMBIGUOUSĺ 89

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4HEĺ TRADITIONALĺ MEAT AND POTATOESĺ NARRATIVEĺ DIESĺ WITHĺ .ADAĺ 7HICHĺISĺTOĺSAY ĺITĺCLOSESĺWITHĺHISĺDEATH ĺANDĺSUCCESSIVEĺFOOT AGEĺMOVESĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺINTOĺTHEĺPOSTMODERNĺLANDSCAPEĺk4HESEĺ TWOĺAREĺLOSTĺSOMEWHEREĺINĺTHEĺBREACHĺBETWEENĺTHEĺ46ĺSAT IRESĺANDĺTHEIRĺOWNĺLONGINGĺFORĺAUTHENTICĺCONTACT ĺFUCKINGĺWITHĺ THEĺ46ĺ ON ĺ ORĺ WATCHINGĺ46ĺ WITHĺ THEĺ FUCKINGĺ ON ĺ THEIRĺ BEHAV IORĺ MEDIATEDĺ THROUGHĺ PORNĺ STYLISTICSĺ THATĺ HAVEĺ INVADEDĺ THEIRĺ SEXUALĺ IMAGINATIONSlĺ ,ETHEMĺ ĺ  ĺ /Nĺ THISĺ LEVEL ĺ TOO ĺ THEĺ SCENEĺ POINTSĺ BACKWARDS ĺ NOWĺ TOĺ THEĺ THEMATICĺ STRAINĺ OFĺ THEĺ WAYSĺ TELEVISIONĺ ANDĺ OTHERĺ ELECTRONICĺ MEDIAĺ MEDIATISES PATHOLOGISESĺPOSTMODERNĺCAPITALISTĺSUBJECTIVITY &ROMĺ Aĺ THEORETICALĺ PERSPECTIVE ĺ THEĺ üLM ĺ EMPOWEREDĺ BYĺ LINGERINGĺ POSTMODERNĺ AFüNITIES ĺ RESISTSĺ COMINGĺ TOĺ Aĺ TIGHTLYĺ SEALEDĺCONCLUSIONĺ#ARPENTERlSĺUSEĺOFĺ.ADA 0IPERĺASĺAĺPOLITI CALĺTOOLĺACHIEVESĺAĺSPECIALĺFAILUREĺ!CCORDINGĺTOĺTHEĺTHEORYĺOFĺ -ICHELĺ &OUCAULT ĺ kTHEREĺ ISĺ NOĺ SINGLEĺ PRIVILEGEDĺ PLACEĺ FORĺ THEĺ POLITICALĺACTIVISTĺTOĺGOĺTOĺWORK ĺNOĺLOCUSĺOFĺPOWERĺWHOSEĺRE MOVALĺ WILLĺ BRINGĺ THEĺ WHOLEĺ SYSTEMĺ TUMBLINGĺ DOWNlĺ 3IMONĺ ĺ  ĺ )Fĺ SO ĺ NOĺ MATTERĺ WHATĺ .ADAĺ DOES ĺ HEĺ WILLĺ NOTĺ kWINlĺ pĺ THEĺ $RIFTERĺ ANDĺ (OLLYĺ WEREĺ RIGHT ĺ INĺ MOREĺ WAYSĺ THANĺ ONEĺpĺANDĺHEĺWASĺDOOMEDĺTOĺOBLIVIONĺFROMĺTHEĺSTARTĺ4HEĺSIG NIüCATIONĺOFĺHISĺMIDDLEĺüNGERĺpĺUNDERSTANDINGĺTHEĺDIRECTIONĺINĺ WHICHĺHEĺPOINTSĺHISĺTERMINALĺk&UCKĺ9OUlĺpĺISĺNOTĺSIMPLYĺATĺALIENĺ OPPRESSION ĺBUTĺATĺTHEĺSYSTEMĺTHATĺFAILSĺHIMĺBYĺDEFAULTĺ)TĺISĺ ALSOĺDIRECTEDĺATĺVIEWERS ĺPERHAPSĺMOREĺTHANĺANYBODYĺ!SĺSUB JECTSĺWHOĺPURCHASEĺTICKETSĺANDĺGOĺTOĺTHEĺMOVIES ĺTHEYĺSUP PORTĺTHEĺREIGNĺOFĺCONSUMERĺMEDIAĺANDĺCAPITALISTĺPATHOLOGYĺASĺ SUCH ĺ4HEYĺAREĺTHEĺkREALlĺALIENĺCAPITALISTSĺ4HEĺALIENSĺAREĺUS 3PEAKINGĺMOREĺPRACTICALLY ĺTHEĺIDEAĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺDIESCLOSESĺ WITHĺ.ADAĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺCOULDĺBEĺAĺSIMPLEĺWISH FULüLMENTĺFANTASY ĺ.ADAlSĺDREAMĺOFĺMANIFESTINGĺAĺHEROICĺPER SONAĺINĺORDERĺTOĺSAVEĺTHEĺWORLD ĺANDĺTHUSĺHIMSELF ĺFROMĺTHEĺ EVILSĺOFĺCLASSĺDIVISIONSĺANDĺPATRIARCHALĺCONSTRUCTIONĺ(EĺDIESĺ INĺTHEĺDREAM ĺANDĺINĺTHEĺWAKEĺOFĺHISĺDAWNINGĺCONSCIOUSNESS ĺ 90

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ALLĺ THATĺ REMAINSĺ AREĺ MEDIATISEDĺ TRACESĺ OFĺ MASCULINEĺ EXCESSĺ ANDĺDESIREa

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ISĺ EVENĺ Aĺ9OU4UBEĺ VIDEOĺ THATĺ SUPERIMPOSESĺ THEĺ 3OUTHĺ 0ARKĺ SOUNDTRACKĺONTOĺTHEĺORIGINALĺüLMĺ4HEĺDIALOGUEĺISNlTĺTHEĺSAMEĺ pĺ THEĺ ONLYĺ WORDĺ4IMMYĺ CANĺ ARTICULATEĺ ISĺ HISĺ NAME ĺ TYPICALLYĺ WITHĺCROAKINGĺENTHUSIASMĺ"UTĺNEARLYĺALLĺOFĺTHEĺOTHERĺFEATURESĺ MATCHĺUP ĺDOWNĺTOĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺ.ADAlSĺüSTĺCONNECTINGĺWITHĺ !RMITAGElSĺJAW ĺANDĺVICEĺVERSAĺ4HEĺPRIMARYĺINTENTIONĺHEREĺISĺ TOĺ BEĺ FUNNYĺ )NTERESTINGLY ĺ THEĺ PARODYĺ DOESĺ NOTĺ ACCENTUATEĺ THEĺMELODRAMATICĺNATUREĺOFĺITSĺSOURCE ĺASĺISĺOFTENĺTHEĺCASEĺ )NSTEADĺ ITĺ REMINDSĺ USĺ HOWĺ SILLYĺ THEĺ SOURCEĺ WASĺ INĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ PLACEĺ)TĺALSOĺTELLSĺUSĺTHATĺTHEĺORIGINALĺITSELFĺWASĺAĺSIMULACRA ĺ LAMPOONINGĺPROFESSIONALĺWRESTLINGĺIFĺONLYĺBYĺREPRESENTATION ĺ WHICHĺLAMPOONSĺkREALlĺüGHTING ĺANDĺOUTDOINGĺCINEMATICĺüGHTSĺ SUCHĺASĺTHEĺONEĺINĺ4HEĺ1UIETĺ-AN ĺTHATĺPRECEDEDĺIT &URTHERMORE ĺ k#RIPPLEĺ &IGHTlĺ HASĺ SUPERSEDEDĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ INĺ THEĺMEGATEXTĺOFĺPOPULARĺCULTUREĺ"ASEDĺONĺWHATĺ)ĺHAVEĺREADĺINĺ PERSONALĺANDĺPROFESSIONALĺBLOGSĺANDĺREVIEWS ĺTEENAGERSĺANDĺ TWENTYSOMETHINGSĺKNOWĺABOUTĺk#RIPPLEĺ&IGHTl ĺBUTĺTHEYĺDONlTĺ NECESSARILYĺ KNOWĺ ABOUTĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVE ĺ OTHERĺ THANĺ THATlSĺ WHEREĺ k#RIPPLEĺ&IGHTlĺCAMEĺFROM ĺANDĺTHEYĺARENlTĺREALLYĺINTERESTEDĺINĺ SEEINGĺTHEĺORIGINAL ĺASĺIFĺ#ARPENTERlSĺVERSIONĺHASĺDIEDĺANDĺITSĺ GHOSTĺHASĺRETURNEDĺTOĺHAUNTĺUSĺINĺANĺINCURABLYĺABSURDĺFORMĺ3Oĺ THEĺ PARODYĺ ACHIEVESĺ PRIMACYĺ OVERĺ THEĺ SUBJECTĺ OFĺ ITSĺ COME DICĺMETA ATTACK ĺAĺNOTĺ UNCOMMONĺ UPSHOTĺ !Sĺ -IKHAILĺ "AKHTINĺ SUGGESTSĺ INĺ 4HEĺ $IA LOGICĺ )MAGINATION ĺ PARODYĺ ISĺ THEĺ NATURALĺ END PRODUCTĺ OFĺ ANYĺ TEXTUALĺ LINEĺ OFĺ ČIGHTĺ WHEREĺ THEĺ ORIGINALĺ Jimmy and Timmy parody the already parodic Nada and Armitage. TRADITIONALLYĺ BELONGSĺ 93

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TOĺkHIGHlĺCULTURALĺDISCOURSE ĺTHEĺPARODIEDĺTOĺkLOWlĺĺ ĺ !ĺGOODĺEXAMPLEĺISĺ!IRPLANE
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ANDĺTHEĺPARANOIDĺ#OLDĺ7ARĺSOCIETYĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺEXTRAPOLATESĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ CREATESĺ NOSTALGIAĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ HOMAGEĺ ITĺ PAYSĺ TOĺ CLASSICĺ SCI üĺ CINEMAĺ LIKEĺ )Tĺ #AMEĺ FROMĺ /UTERĺ 3PACEĺ  ĺ )NVADERSĺFROMĺ-ARSĺ ĺANDĺ&ORBIDDENĺ0LANETĺ ĺ!NDĺ ITĺ IMMEDIATELYĺ ESTABLISHEDĺ Aĺ TWO FOLDĺ COMMUNITYĺ OFĺ READY AT THE HELMĺ DEVOTEESĺ WHOĺ WEREĺ EITHERĺ ALREADYĺ DEVOTEDĺ TOĺ #ARPENTERlSĺCANONĺORĺTOĺ2ODDYĺ0IPERlSĺPROĺWRESTLINGĺPERSONAĺ )ĺWASĺCERTAINLYĺAĺMEMBERĺOFĺTHESEĺCOMMUNITIESĺBEFOREĺTHEĺ RELEASEĺOFĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺALTHOUGHĺ)ĺNOĺLONGERĺWATCHĺORĺEVENĺLIKEĺ WRESTLING ĺ ANDĺ )ĺ HAVEĺ BEENĺ CONSISTENTLYĺ DISAPPOINTEDĺ WITHĺ #ARPENTERlSĺüLMSĺSINCEĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺWHICH ĺFORĺME ĺMARKSĺTHEĺ ENDĺOFĺHISĺMOSTĺCOMPELLINGĺWORKĺINĺGENREĺCINEMA )NĺOTHERĺWORDS ĺ)ĺHAVEĺNOTĺkLOSTlĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺ"UTĺWHATĺABOUTĺ ITSĺPLACEĺINĺTHEĺWIDERĺSPHEREĺOFĺCULTUREĺ9OUNGERĺGENERATIONSĺ OFTENĺ DICTATEĺ !MERICANĺ CULTURALĺ FORM ĺ PRODUCTIONĺ ANDĺ MEM ORY ĺANDĺUNLIKEĺMANYĺCULTĺüLMS ĺ4HEYĺ,IVEĺDOESĺNOTĺSEEMĺTOĺ HAVEĺ BEENĺ FAVOURABLYĺ PASSEDĺ DOWNĺ THEĺ LINEĺ %XCEPTĺ FORĺ THEĺ üGHTĺ SCENE ĺ IMMORTALISEDĺ BYĺ CARTOONĺ SATIRE ĺ ITĺ HASĺ BEEN ĺ TOĺ SOMEĺDEGREE ĺkLOSTlĺ7HATĺDOESĺTHATĺMEANĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺITSĺCULTĺ IDENTITYĺ7HATĺ ABOUTĺ CULTĺ üLMSĺ INĺ GENERALĺ )Fĺ ITĺ DISAPPEARS ĺ WASĺITĺEVERĺAĺCULTĺPHENOMENONĺTOĺBEGINĺWITHĺ"EARĺINĺMINDĺ 4HEYĺ,IVEĺISĺANĺANOMALYĺINĺTHEĺGENREĺ-OSTĺCULTĺüLMSĺDEVELOPĺ AĺVIEWERSHIPĺOVERĺTIMEĺ4HEYĺ,IVE ĺONĺTHEĺCONTRARY ĺBEGANĺASĺ AĺCULTĺüLM ĺTHANKSĺTOĺTHEĺREPUTATIONĺOFĺITSĺDIRECTOR ĺANDĺSINCEĺITĺ CAMEĺOUT ĺITSĺFANĺBASEĺHASĺSTEADILYĺDWINDLED 0ERHAPSĺ THEĺ REMAKEĺ OFĺ 4HEYĺ ,IVEĺ WILLĺ SETTLEĺ THEĺ SCOREĺ )Tĺ HASĺBEENĺINĺTHEĺWORKS ĺONĺANDĺOFF ĺSINCEĺ)ĺBEGANĺRESEARCHĺFORĺ THISĺVOLUMEĺINĺĺ!SĺOFĺLATEĺ ĺTHEĺREMAKEĺISĺLISTEDĺASĺ kINĺDEVELOPMENTlĺONĺ)-$B ĺBUTĺTHEREĺISĺNOĺINFORMATIONĺABOUTĺ PLOTĺORĺCASTINGĺ-ANYĺOFĺ#ARPENTERlSĺüLMSĺHAVEĺGAINEDĺNEWĺ LIFEĺTHROUGHĺREMAKES ĺINCLUDINGĺ!SSAULTĺONĺ0RECINCTĺĺ ĺ 4HEĺ&OGĺ ĺANDĺ(ALLOWEENĺ ĺALLĺOFĺWHICHĺMETĺWITHĺ SOMEĺCRITICALĺANDĺVIEWERĺACCLAIM ĺYETĺMAINLYĺGENERATEDĺPRAISEĺ FORĺTHEĺORIGINALĺüLMSĺ2EMAKESĺUPDATEĺNARRATIVESĺANDORĺWIELDĺ 97

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98

NOTES

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114

INDEX "ENJAMIN ĺ7ALTERĺĺĺ BIGĺHAIRĺĺĺp "IGĺ4ROUBLEĺINĺ,ITTLEĺ#HINAĺĺĺ ĺ ĺ  ĺpN ĺpNĺĺ BLOCKBUSTERĺĺĺ ĺp ĺ ĺ ĺ  ĺ ĺNĺ "ORGES ĺ*ORGEĺ,UISĺĺĺ "ORNĺTOĺ#ONTROVERSYĺĺĺ BOURGEOISĺĺĺ ĺ ĺ ĺp ĺ ĺ  ĺ ĺNĺ "RUCKHEIMER ĺ*ERRYĺĺĺ "URROUGHS ĺ7ILLIAMĺ3ĺĺĺ "USH ĺ'EORGEĺ7ĺĺĺ ĺ

!DORNO ĺ4HEODORĺĺĺ AESTHETICSĺĺĺ ĺ ĺĺ AGENCYĺĺĺp ĺ ĺp ĺ !IRPLANE
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#ONCORDEĺaĺ!IRPORTĺl ĺ4HEĺĺĺ N

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