Extreme cinema is a subgenre used for films distinguished by its use of excessive
sex and
violence, and depiction of extreme acts such as
mutilation and
torture. It recently specializes in genre film, mostly both horror and drama.[1]
Reception
The rising popularity of
Asian films in the 21st century has contributed to the growth of extreme cinema, although extreme cinema is still considered to be a horror film-based genre.[2] Being a relatively recent genre, extreme cinema is controversial and widely unaccepted by the
mainstream media.[3] Extreme cinema films
target a specific and
small audience group.[4]
History
The prehistory of extreme cinema can be traced back to censorship of
art films and advertising tactics for classical
exploitation films to Anglophone markets alongside later liberal representations of sex in the first half of the 20th century onwards.[5]
The name "extreme cinema" originated from a "line of Asian films that share a combination of sensational features, such as extreme violence, horror and shocking plots".[6] Extreme cinema can be rooted as "Asian Extreme", the term for Japanese and other Asian films used to its excessive nature. Early examples of Asian Extreme such as Ring (1998) and Battle Royale (2000).[7]
Controversy
Extreme cinema is highly criticized and debated by film critics and the general public. There have been debates over the hypersexualization that makes these films a threat to the ‘mainstream’ community standards.[8]
There has also been criticism over the increasing use of violence in modern-day films. Ever since the emergence of slasher-gore films in the ’70s, the rising popularity of extreme cinema has contributed to the casual violence in popular media.[9] Some criticize the easy exposure and unintended targeting of adolescence by extreme cinema films.[10]
^Lee, Eunah (Fall 2014). "Trauma, excess, and the aesthetics of the affect: the extreme cinemas of Chan-Wook Park". Post Script. 34 (1): 33–49.
ProQuest1718132381.
^Pett, Emma (2 January 2015). "A new media landscape? The BBFC, extreme cinema as cult, and technological change". New Review of Film and Television Studies. 13 (1): 83–99.
doi:
10.1080/17400309.2014.982910.
S2CID146431677.
^Sapolsky, Burry S.; Molitor, Fred; Luque, Sarah (March 2003). "Sex and Violence in Slasher Films: Re-examining the Assumptions". Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. 80 (1): 28–38.
doi:
10.1177/107769900308000103.
S2CID143908234.
^Sargent, James D; Heatherton, Todd F; Ahrens, M.Bridget; Dalton, Madeline A; Tickle, Jennifer J; Beach, Michael L (December 2002). "Adolescent exposure to extremely violent movies". Journal of Adolescent Health. 31 (6): 449–454.
doi:
10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00399-3.
PMID12457577.
^
abcdFrey, Mattias (2016). "Discourses and Modes of Distribution". Extreme Cinema: The Transgressive Rhetoric of Today's Art Film Culture. Rutgers University Press. pp. 69–93.
ISBN978-0-8135-7652-7.
Project MUSE1765373.
Lee, Eunah (Fall 2014). "Trauma, excess, and the aesthetics of the affect: the extreme cinemas of Chan-Wook Park". Post Script. 34 (1): 33–49.
ProQuest1718132381.
Totaro, Donato (2003). "Sex and Violence: Journey into Extreme Cinema". Offscreen. 7 (11).
King, Mike (2009). The American Cinema of Excess: Extremes of the National Mind on Film. McFarland.
ISBN978-0-7864-3988-1.
Fyfe, Kristen. "More Violence, More Sex, More Troubled Kids." Media Research Center. MRC Culture, 11 Jan. 2007. Web. 9 Feb. 2016
Pett, Emma (2 January 2015). "A new media landscape? The BBFC, extreme cinema as cult, and technological change". New Review of Film and Television Studies. 13 (1): 83–99.
doi:
10.1080/17400309.2014.982910.
S2CID146431677.
Dirks, Tim. "100 Most Controversial Films of All Time." 100 Most Controversial Films of All Time. Filmsite, n.d. Web. 9 Feb. 2016.
Sapolsky, Burry S.; Molitor, Fred; Luque, Sarah (March 2003). "Sex and Violence in Slasher Films: Re-examining the Assumptions". Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. 80 (1): 28–38.
doi:
10.1177/107769900308000103.
S2CID143908234.
Sargent, James D; Heatherton, Todd F; Ahrens, M.Bridget; Dalton, Madeline A; Tickle, Jennifer J; Beach, Michael L (December 2002). "Adolescent exposure to extremely violent movies". Journal of Adolescent Health. 31 (6): 449–454.
doi:
10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00399-3.
PMID12457577.
Extreme cinema is a subgenre used for films distinguished by its use of excessive
sex and
violence, and depiction of extreme acts such as
mutilation and
torture. It recently specializes in genre film, mostly both horror and drama.[1]
Reception
The rising popularity of
Asian films in the 21st century has contributed to the growth of extreme cinema, although extreme cinema is still considered to be a horror film-based genre.[2] Being a relatively recent genre, extreme cinema is controversial and widely unaccepted by the
mainstream media.[3] Extreme cinema films
target a specific and
small audience group.[4]
History
The prehistory of extreme cinema can be traced back to censorship of
art films and advertising tactics for classical
exploitation films to Anglophone markets alongside later liberal representations of sex in the first half of the 20th century onwards.[5]
The name "extreme cinema" originated from a "line of Asian films that share a combination of sensational features, such as extreme violence, horror and shocking plots".[6] Extreme cinema can be rooted as "Asian Extreme", the term for Japanese and other Asian films used to its excessive nature. Early examples of Asian Extreme such as Ring (1998) and Battle Royale (2000).[7]
Controversy
Extreme cinema is highly criticized and debated by film critics and the general public. There have been debates over the hypersexualization that makes these films a threat to the ‘mainstream’ community standards.[8]
There has also been criticism over the increasing use of violence in modern-day films. Ever since the emergence of slasher-gore films in the ’70s, the rising popularity of extreme cinema has contributed to the casual violence in popular media.[9] Some criticize the easy exposure and unintended targeting of adolescence by extreme cinema films.[10]
^Lee, Eunah (Fall 2014). "Trauma, excess, and the aesthetics of the affect: the extreme cinemas of Chan-Wook Park". Post Script. 34 (1): 33–49.
ProQuest1718132381.
^Pett, Emma (2 January 2015). "A new media landscape? The BBFC, extreme cinema as cult, and technological change". New Review of Film and Television Studies. 13 (1): 83–99.
doi:
10.1080/17400309.2014.982910.
S2CID146431677.
^Sapolsky, Burry S.; Molitor, Fred; Luque, Sarah (March 2003). "Sex and Violence in Slasher Films: Re-examining the Assumptions". Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. 80 (1): 28–38.
doi:
10.1177/107769900308000103.
S2CID143908234.
^Sargent, James D; Heatherton, Todd F; Ahrens, M.Bridget; Dalton, Madeline A; Tickle, Jennifer J; Beach, Michael L (December 2002). "Adolescent exposure to extremely violent movies". Journal of Adolescent Health. 31 (6): 449–454.
doi:
10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00399-3.
PMID12457577.
^
abcdFrey, Mattias (2016). "Discourses and Modes of Distribution". Extreme Cinema: The Transgressive Rhetoric of Today's Art Film Culture. Rutgers University Press. pp. 69–93.
ISBN978-0-8135-7652-7.
Project MUSE1765373.
Lee, Eunah (Fall 2014). "Trauma, excess, and the aesthetics of the affect: the extreme cinemas of Chan-Wook Park". Post Script. 34 (1): 33–49.
ProQuest1718132381.
Totaro, Donato (2003). "Sex and Violence: Journey into Extreme Cinema". Offscreen. 7 (11).
King, Mike (2009). The American Cinema of Excess: Extremes of the National Mind on Film. McFarland.
ISBN978-0-7864-3988-1.
Fyfe, Kristen. "More Violence, More Sex, More Troubled Kids." Media Research Center. MRC Culture, 11 Jan. 2007. Web. 9 Feb. 2016
Pett, Emma (2 January 2015). "A new media landscape? The BBFC, extreme cinema as cult, and technological change". New Review of Film and Television Studies. 13 (1): 83–99.
doi:
10.1080/17400309.2014.982910.
S2CID146431677.
Dirks, Tim. "100 Most Controversial Films of All Time." 100 Most Controversial Films of All Time. Filmsite, n.d. Web. 9 Feb. 2016.
Sapolsky, Burry S.; Molitor, Fred; Luque, Sarah (March 2003). "Sex and Violence in Slasher Films: Re-examining the Assumptions". Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. 80 (1): 28–38.
doi:
10.1177/107769900308000103.
S2CID143908234.
Sargent, James D; Heatherton, Todd F; Ahrens, M.Bridget; Dalton, Madeline A; Tickle, Jennifer J; Beach, Michael L (December 2002). "Adolescent exposure to extremely violent movies". Journal of Adolescent Health. 31 (6): 449–454.
doi:
10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00399-3.
PMID12457577.