The Exorcism of Emily Rose opens today and the director, Scott Derrickson is a Christian. Here is an interview with him from Christianity Today. He has some very interesting and I suspect controversal opinions concerning the horror movie genre.
In my opinion, the horror genre is a perfect genre for Christians to be involved with. I think the more compelling question is, Why do so many Christians find it odd that a Christian would be working in this genre? To me, this genre deals more overtly with the supernatural than any other genre, it tackles issues of good and evil more than any other genre, it distinguishes and articulates the essence of good and evil better than any other genre, and my feeling is that a lot of Christians are wary of this genre simply because it's unpleasant. The genre is not about making you feel good, it is about making you face your fears. And in my experience, that's something that a lot of Christians don't want to do.
To me, the horror genre is the genre of non-denial. It's about admitting that there is evil in the world, and recognizing that there is evil within us, and that we're not in control, and that the things that we are afraid of must be confronted in order for us to relinquish that fear. And I think that the horror genre serves a great purpose in bolstering our understanding of what is evil and therefore better defining what is good. And of course I'm talking about, really, the potential of the horror genre, because there are a lot of horror films that don't do these things. It is a genre that's full of exploitation, but the better films in the genre certainly accomplish, I think, very noble things.
He has some profound points in this quote. But is it right? I know I was very offended by a preview for this movie, not because of the movie itself but because of the time of day it was shown (during prime time when many children are watching!).
So do you agree with Derrickson? Is the horror movie genre a good genre for Christians to be involved in?
1 comment:
If it can be made to accomplish all he says, then it would be good. Exposure and elimination of our fears are good.
But I've yet to see a horror movie that acomplishes that. Though I haven't seen too many.
So I don't know, really.
Post a Comment