FIRST SLOVAKIAN HORROR? THE GENRIFICATION PROCESS IN NATIONAL CINEMA Cover Image

PRVNÍ SLOVENSKÝ HOROR? PROCES ZŽÁNROVĚNÍ V NÁRODNÍ KINEMATOGRAFII
FIRST SLOVAKIAN HORROR? THE GENRIFICATION PROCESS IN NATIONAL CINEMA

Author(s): Marek SLOVÁK
Subject(s): Cultural history, Aesthetics, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today), Film / Cinema / Cinematography
Published by: Ústav divadelnej a filmovej vedy SAV
Keywords: genre; semantic-syntactic and pragmatic approach; Slovak cinematography; horror; paracinema;

Summary/Abstract: This study deals with the genrification process on the example of the Slovak feature horror films of the last two decades. The text is based on the semantic-syntactic-pragmatic approach of the genre theorist Rick Altman. The article thus differs from the previous studies about Slovak genre creations because these focused on the pre-revolutionary period and the creators associated with it (Juraj Herz, Jan Švankmajer), neglected aesthetic analysis in favour of a pragmatic one, and paid attention only to academically recognized genres (social and historical drama). This study analyzes the non-textual level (promotion, reception) and the texts (semantic genre elements, syntax) of six selected works – Nič nekrváca večne (Nothing Bleeds Forever), Socialistický Zombi Mord (Socialist Zombie Massacre), Spiknutie (The Conspiracy), Zlo (Evil), Attonitas, Trhlina (The Rift). The analyses show that, through a phase of peculiar adjectives, and despite its hybridization, horror has become a well-established category, recognized by various groups of people. Despite its solid position, however, it remains a marginal genre due to its production, distribution, and aesthetic exclusivity.

  • Issue Year: 69/2021
  • Issue No: 02
  • Page Range: 173-190
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Czech