"Hey listen, I-I don't know about this. I think they want us for dinner ." |
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There are many taboos throughout the cultures of the world dealing with sexuality, relationships, family, and a great deal else. There is one taboo specifically that the horror genre seems strangely enjoy though. This taboo would not be shocking if it weren't for a minor detail: it involves the eating of flesh, but not just any flesh. Human flesh. Cannibalism.
The concept of cannibalism does not sit well with the general public. Humans eating humans just seems indubitably "wrong" to most, most likely why it's used in horror films. Watching characters eat each other goes beyond plain old murder. Cannibalism is something primal and hideous, an act done by the mentally deranged and sick. In other certain cultures, it is accepted, but in most horror movie-watching ones, it isn't.
In the horror genre, exploitation-style films have always been the 
"My family's always been in meat. " |
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"underground" sub-genre, usually for pushing the envelope as far as they could. Within this sub-genre, cannibal-film was born. Peaking throughout the mid '70s and early '80s, these films tried to create gore, sex and humans munchin' on their buddies in ways people had never seen before. In 1980, the arguably most famous of these was created, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, directed by Ruggero Deodato.
The TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE series deals with cannibalism as well. The main villain, Leatherface, wears the skin of humans as a mask. Also the HANNIBAL series has cannibalism as an ongoing theme. However, the character of Hannibal is a connoisseur of human flesh. Does this lessen the depravity of what he is doing, or does it only make it that much worse? He takes care in cooking his fellow humans; he even serves them to his friends. By heightening the class, he adds 
"When the fox hears the rabbit scream he comes runnin'.. but not to help." |
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to the vileness.
Many films that depicted the act of cannibalism were banned. Sex, violence and language seemed almost immature compared to this contemptible deed. Perhaps it was because it is so alien to us, that we cannot handle it. We don't want to handle it. Sex, swearing, and yes even violence, are all human nature. We know what they are. But humans eating each other? Well, that's just won't do.
Is it wrong? Most seem to think so. Horror usually shows it as an evil or terrible thing. But it is, after all, just eating. What if someone wanted to be eaten?! Would you oblige them? Would I? Would my cats (probably)? Once again, I believe that "right" and "wrong" is in the gullet of the beholder. Sometimes though, what is usually considered evil, tastes so damn good.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Make sure that leg you're gnawing on is turkey, eh?
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| The Lair of the Mad |
Every other Tuesday
'The Lair' discusses the many aspects and qualities of the horror genre. From actors, to make-up, to music, James Shafie explores everything the "cult" genre spews up.
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| James Shafie |
James Shafie is an avid watcher of movies of all sorts, but the horror genre is closest to his heart. He loves to read and is addicted to music, mostly metal and it’s thousands of sub-genres. He was once fired by Blockbuster, which we see as a strong character trait.
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