Gothic: Darkness of Cinema

From vampires to werewolves, ghosts to distressful souls, the program demonstrates that the archetypes of Gothic horror and romance have endured, reflecting our deepest fears back at us. At first, Gothic Literature came to life with the novels of Mary Shelly and Bram Stoker in Britain; later the sinister structure of the literature was shaped in flesh and bones through cinema. Turning characters such as Dracula and Frankenstein into cult figures, Gothic film found its way from its origins in the silent era into today's twilight world. The program will offer various cult examples from gothic cinema and also a panel session titled "Gothic in Cinema" will start on Feb. 26 and continue until March 8 in collaboration with the British council and British Film Institute.

DON'T LOOK NOW, 1973

Director: Nicolas Roeg
Cast: Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie, Hilary Mason

The married couple, Laura and John, mourn the death of their daughter who lost her life during a tragic car accident. While wandering around the streets of Venice, they meet a blind woman who claims she has spiritual powers and says that their dead daughter tried to contact them from the other world. Although John denies everything, the mysterious incidents cause him to lose his sanity and drag him into great danger. Director Roeg's film is considered an innovative piece in psychological horror because of its puzzle-like narration, mysterious and tense atmosphere as well as the successful acting performances of the actors.

NIGHT OF THE DEMON, 1957
Director: Jacques Touneur

Cast: Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummings, Shay Gorman Scientist John Holden, who does not believe in supernatural forces and powers, works in a demonic cult in order to unmask its leader named Julian Karswell. One day, Karswell invites the scientist to dinner at his house. However, a piece of paper that falls down between the pages of a book makes Holden question his disbelief of witchcraft and supernatural powers. This classic film, which holds an important space in the history of cinema, features important dialogue trapped between reality and fantasy, belief and doubt. "Night of the Demon" is a fine example of gothic cinema with its poetic scenes.

DRACULA, 1958
Director: Terence Fisher

Following Jonathan Harker's attack, Dracula leaves his castle and sets off to the village where Harker's fiancé lives. Realizing that his family is in danger, Harker tries everything to defeat Dracula with his close friend Dr. Van Helsing. Adapted from Bram Stokers cult novel to the silver screen, "Dracula" stands out among other adaptations thanks to Christopher Lee's excellent depiction of Dracula.

DEAD OF NIGHT, 1945
Directors: Robert Hamer, Basil Dearden, Charles Crichton, Alberto Cavalcanti

The architect Walter Craig realizes that the nightmare he sees every night at the farm house has been coming true. As he knows the end of the dream, he starts to wait anxiously while he is exposed the supernatural stories that are told by the residents of the farm house. Composed of five dark stories, "Dead of Night" presents a nightmare that mingles dream and reality, science and supernatural, reason and hysteria. Directed by Ealing Studios, which is known for its comedy films, the film is the first film that the studio shot right after the war. The neurotic and obsessive stories mirror the war trauma.

THE MISTLETOE BOUGH, 1904
Director: Percy Stow

While a bride plays hide and seek during her wedding, she is trapped in a trunk and waits to be found for years. This short film, which is inspired by a 18th century folk song, is regarded as the pioneer of gothic films. Pete Wiggs of Saint Etienne Ensemble accompanies the oldest horror film in history with his compositions.

THE ELEPHANT MAN, 1980
Director: David Lynch

During the middle of the 1880s, Doctor Treves comes across a man whose body has been deformed terribly in a traveler circus in London. He desires to examine this deformed man, named John Merrick, and he achieves this goal. As Treves gets to know this man who is isolated from public more and more every day, he learns how sensitive and cleaver Merrick is and dedicates himself helping John to retrieve his dignity once again. Adapted from a true story to the cinema, Lynch's film mirrors the dark atmosphere of Victorian England. John Hurt portrays the character of Merrick with dignity and courage.

THE QUEEN OF SPADES, 1949
Director: Thorold Dickinson

Alienated by his wealthy friends, Herman is a soldier who gambles to gain wealth in order to be accepted to this exclusive society. When he hears a story about a countess who sold her soul to the demon to be always successful in card games, he does everything he can to learn about the truth behind this story. This dreadful gothic love story revealing what humans can do for money and reputation was nominated to the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in the year of its release.

THE INNOCENTS, 1961
Director: Jack Clayton

A family living in a magnificent mansion in Victorian England gives their orphan nephew to a nanny and leaves the mansion. However, the nanny begins to see human figures in the mansion and believes that the child has been possessed by a demon since he shows odd behavior. The nanny has no other choice but to get rid of the demon. Adapted by Henry James' novel "The Turn of the Screw" to the screen, the film is the pioneer of psychological-horror genre. The year it made its debut, it competed for Palm D'or at Cannes FilmFestival.

THE WICKER MAN, 1973
Director: Robin Hardy
Cast: Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, Diane Cilento

Police officer Howie is sent to a Scottish island to investigate a missing girl case. The locals of the island try to sabotage the investigation claiming that the girl in question does not exist on the island. However, Howie infiltrates a pagan cult which conducts unusual rituals and continues his search for the girl. Renowned as "Britain's Best Horror Film," "The Wicker Man" is one of the cult films of the cinema industry thanks to Christopher Lee's outstanding performance and its theme of paganism. Also, the soundtrack of the film that gives a sinister atmosphere to the film from time to time is worth checking out.