The Long Road Back From Hell: Reclaiming Cannibal Holocaust

Xavier Mendik

Research output: Non-textual outputDigital or Visual Products

Abstract

This 40 minute documentary considers the cultural and socio-historical factors behind the making of Cannibal Holocaust (1979), a film that was to revolutionise and scandalise the nature of realist horror cinema. With its complex narrative and innovative use of documentary techniques, Cannibal Holocaust initiated a trend of ‘found footage horror’ that continued through to The Blair Witch Project (1999) and beyond. However, the film’s stylishness was overshadowed by it savage imagery, which led to the movie being banned and heavily censored in many European countries such as the UK. Cannibal Holocaust’s journey from the margins to the mainstream of critical respectability is captured ‘The Long Road Back From Hell.’ This also discusses the film’s controversial use of realist techniques, as well as its socio-cultural context as an artefact created during Italy’s turbulent ‘Years of Lead’.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2011
Eventother - Documentary was selected at the following international film festivals: The Cyprus Days Film Festival (2011), The Off-Screen Festival (Brussels (including panel discussion with Ruggero Deodato, 2012) and The Sitges Film Festival (2012).
Duration: 1 Jan 2011 → …

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