My wife has always enjoyed the macabre. It is an inherited gift she graciously gained from her mother. Growing up in a house of old cult classic horror films just caught on. And now she married me--an avid horror fan. (Although I tend to like the gruesome gore a little more than her.)
But Amber likes the strange and weird. It is one reason she has always loved and been fascinated by Burlesque dancing. It is a strange, artful, and often times macabre form of human expression. Some would say it is just glorified stripping and my wife would argue with them about the incorrectness of that statement for hours. And I would have to agree with her.
Well, recently one of my wife's favorite bloggers/comic artists/burlesque dancers--Florance of A'labia (NSFW)--released a short video called "Necrophilia." Now, it is more of a music video than a short film but it has so many elements of horror and the macabre that it deserves to be included here. And many music videos are just short films anyways.
In "Necrophillia" the little video opens with the subtle and somewhat creepy sound of a rusted swing going back and forth, back and forth. But we are greeted with the image of a very disturbing man. He has strange little bandages on his face, he is wearing cut off suit pants, he carries an umbrella and a bag, and he walks forward with the blank stare of a man entranced. Yep, this is the type of guy you avoid on the bus or that you purposefully cross the street so that you won't have to walk by him on the sidewalk. He is that kind of creepy.
Well, cut to our dear friend Florance--dressed up like a young girl--having a fine old time swinging on the swing set. We all already can tell where this is going. Yep, the creepy guy appears in the background . . . just staring. Then the music kicks in just as he grabs her and drags her away.
But Amber likes the strange and weird. It is one reason she has always loved and been fascinated by Burlesque dancing. It is a strange, artful, and often times macabre form of human expression. Some would say it is just glorified stripping and my wife would argue with them about the incorrectness of that statement for hours. And I would have to agree with her.
Well, recently one of my wife's favorite bloggers/comic artists/burlesque dancers--Florance of A'labia (NSFW)--released a short video called "Necrophilia." Now, it is more of a music video than a short film but it has so many elements of horror and the macabre that it deserves to be included here. And many music videos are just short films anyways.
In "Necrophillia" the little video opens with the subtle and somewhat creepy sound of a rusted swing going back and forth, back and forth. But we are greeted with the image of a very disturbing man. He has strange little bandages on his face, he is wearing cut off suit pants, he carries an umbrella and a bag, and he walks forward with the blank stare of a man entranced. Yep, this is the type of guy you avoid on the bus or that you purposefully cross the street so that you won't have to walk by him on the sidewalk. He is that kind of creepy.
Well, cut to our dear friend Florance--dressed up like a young girl--having a fine old time swinging on the swing set. We all already can tell where this is going. Yep, the creepy guy appears in the background . . . just staring. Then the music kicks in just as he grabs her and drags her away.
He takes her to his house, a place that looks like something out of a Rob Zombie film. There are fake heads and other plastic body parts around, and everything is decorated for some party. Meanwhile we get to see scenes of the singer and his scantly clad dancers.
After that it gets harder to describe the scenes in the story. It is a mash up of artistic macabre imagery and music to create an enjoyable viewing experience, probably something similar to going and actually seeing a burlesque show.
This video is more about art and music than story. I could judge the meanings behind the macabre events and settings as connected to the music, but that isn't the point of art. Art means something different to everyone. So, watch this crazy little video yourself and judge for yourself.
After that it gets harder to describe the scenes in the story. It is a mash up of artistic macabre imagery and music to create an enjoyable viewing experience, probably something similar to going and actually seeing a burlesque show.
This video is more about art and music than story. I could judge the meanings behind the macabre events and settings as connected to the music, but that isn't the point of art. Art means something different to everyone. So, watch this crazy little video yourself and judge for yourself.
Summing it Up
It is harder to try and judge this little music video on my usual rating scale. It isn't a typical horror story. There is much less of a generic story arc, similar to modernist literature. It manages to be dark and twisted while still remaining artistic. It is fun, sexy, and dark: all things that are usually included in great horror.
So I won't use my normal rating scale but I will still give it an overall rating as well as some other ratings for its strange music and disturbing imagery.
MUSIC: 3
IMAGERY: 4
OVERALL RATING: 4
So I won't use my normal rating scale but I will still give it an overall rating as well as some other ratings for its strange music and disturbing imagery.
MUSIC: 3
IMAGERY: 4
OVERALL RATING: 4
To learn more about my (usual) rating system click here.
Also check out these other fun websites featuring Florance (NSFW):
Super Happy Funtime Burlesque
Megan Rosalarian Gedris
Watch this music video below. (Again, NSFW)
Also check out these other fun websites featuring Florance (NSFW):
Super Happy Funtime Burlesque
Megan Rosalarian Gedris
Watch this music video below. (Again, NSFW)
This review post is dedicated to my crazy and wonderful wife who always supports me in my dark and demented writing endeavors.