Case studies - findings and identified characteristics

Introduction:
Below are the conclusive results from my two case studies; A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) and Ringu (1998). In this post, I will be comparing the findings for each objective and highlighting any unique characteristics of Japanese directed horror which have been identified in these case studies. 

Plot:

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In Wes Craven's A Nightmare On Elm Street, the plot is highly detailed and structured, using events from the directors past as a means of inspiration. The negative factors to A Nightmare On Elm Street are that the film does not provide the full back story to Freddy Krueger's character, how Freddy acquired his supernatural powers and how Elm Street ties in with the history of the franchise, all of which is not fully explained to the audience until later films of the franchise.

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Although it is structured in a peculiar manor, Hideo Nakata's Ringu (1998) uses cultural influences and suspense to progress the narrative. The ending is the only negative factor of this title because it ends on cliffhanger, leaving the audience feeling somewhat unsatisfied and full of unanswered questions.

Folklore:

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Wes Craven has confirmed that most of his inspirational sources for A Nightmare On Elm Street were based on real life occurrences/events. There are many interpretations, cultural beliefs and religious views which detail encounters/experiences with demonic beings/forces, however, there is no definitive relationship between the two.

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Using strong folklore, cultural influence and important factors such as Onryō, Shinto, Kami and Yurei, Hideo Nakata creates very effective and memorable horror imagery in Ringu. Not considered a complete negative, lack of imaginative sources beyond folklore would be the only down side to Ringu.

Real life:

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Inspiring an act of violence in which Jason Moore almost killed his close friend using a personal crafted version of Freddy Krueger's knifed glove in Wes Craven's A Nightmare On Elm Street, highlighting the fact that Western directed horror films may inspire acts of violence in the real world.

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Ringu is already heavily influenced by cultural folklore, however, central plot devices such as the cursed videotape are based on urban legend, failing to inspire any positive or negative events/acts.

Remakes:

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Following the case study investigating A Nightmare On Elm Street, it was brought forth that the 2010 remake of Wes Craven's original was lacking in both glamour and imagination, as well as the fact that the 2010 remake of this film was not only critically unsuccessful, the original director and creator of the franchise (Wes Craven) had no say in its production. This case study also helped identify the fact that Western directed remakes/interpretations of Eastern directed titles generally fall short in terms of critical acclaim and feedback, as well as successfully portraying horror itself.

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The second case study following Hideo Nakata's did nothing more than solidify this point because the 2002 American directed remake of the 1998 Japanese directed original did not match up in terms of review and critical feedback/response, highlighting the fact that Western directors cannot seem to project Japanese horror successfully.


Identified Characteristics:

• Plot - Japanese directed horror films are constructed using an unpredictable story structure, primarily leaving the audience with a cliff hanger ending and developing the narrative using cultural folklore.

• Folklore - Japanese directed horror films favour cultural folklore, driving the narrative and characters featured in the title using religious, supernatural and mythological sources.

• Real life - Japanese directed horror films have not appeared to inspire any acts of violence or noticeable/alluring human acts/events. 

• Remakes - Japanese directed horror films are much more critically acclaimed that Western interpretations/remakes and Eastern directors are more focused on creating cultural/regional-based works, rather than reinterpreting the works of others from different areas of the globe.