Know more about this film.

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Like awaiting for sudden scary moments in a horror film, it is kind of nice to know that the anthology film Fear(s) of the Dark, otherwise known as Peur(s) du noir, had its world premiere as a ‘surprise film’ at the RomeFilmFest in October 2007. Comprises of six horror stories, the film brings together six very different graphic artists and cartoonists to relay primordial fears “at its most naked and intense”. The artists involved are Charles Burns, Richard McGuire, Lorenzo Mattotti, Blutch, Marie Caillou, and Pierre di Sciullo.

With Etienne Robial as artistic director, the artists were given no directives other than to keep it in black and white, or monotones. The title and concept came from the producers, Prima Linéa. Each artist designs and directs his own segment, and some end up being inter-cut throughout the film, while others are stand alone.
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As most audience is aware that sound plays a major role in horror films, the artists took special care in voice-recording and sound design. Below is an interview excerpt with Richard McGuire in his process:

“… building the sound design, which is one of the parts of the process I love the most, you can play with layering some unexpected things into the mix to enhance a moment. For example, there is a scene where someone is locked in a closet and he is kicking the door to get out. We recorded the sound of a guy kicking a door and, although it was accurate, it lacked the power I had imagined. It just wasn’t big enough. I wanted something more booming. So we took the sound of muffled explosions and mixed them in to match each kick, and then it felt right.

There are all sorts of subliminal things with the sound; like, when someone walks though a door in a dream sequence, I added the sound of someone inhaling. The exhale sound happens only when the dream finishes. I think the held breath adds tension … I decided to be spare with the music. I didn’t want to use music in the conventional way. It’s too easy to lay down some uncomfortable music to give the cue of what to feel. Sometimes music adds too much of a distance to what you are watching. I wanted it very quiet and intimate. I wanted to bring the viewer as close to the action as I could.”

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Trailer can be viewed here and at the official website with the respective extracts.

Coincidentally falling on Halloween, Fear(s) is screening on 26^th and 31^st Oct, 9pm. Buy your tickets here.
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Related links:
Interview with Richard McGuire with Steven Heller
McGuire’s short about a microscopic wolf
Charles Burns’ first solo exhibition in New York
‘Black Hole’ graphic novel by Burn – Interview
Animation Nation Official website

Related posts:
DICKI by Hannes Rall / Premiere
Animation Nation 2008
Animation Nation Seminars
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On a different note, here’s a couple of drawings from Burns’ exhibition site which I find strangely attractive.