The Fascination of Film Violence

Most of us fear and avoid real violence. So why do representations of violence form such a significant part of our art and entertainment? Norms that control our attitudes towards violence have to be negotiated against the uncanny fascination of observing violence, both real and fictional. Representations of violence in mainstream cinema respond to our violence-related fears and desires on an imaginary level. We have a fantastic capacity for taking fictional character seriously and, through them, to processing fundamental real-life concerns. Above all, we have a primitive urge for retributive justice that real-life institutions in charge of maintaining law and order seldom satisfy. Narratives of lonely heroes of the wild west as well as solitary urban vigilantes offer a fantasy scenario that justifies the use of counterviolence in setting things right. In this book, Henry Bacon argues that cinematic means are used effectively either to make violence appear palatable, acceptable, enjoyable, funny – or genuinely horrible.

Henry Bacon is Professor of Film and Television Studies at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Previously he worked as a research fellow at the Finnish Film Archive, where he also acted as project manager in charge of designing a national radio and television archive.

Introduction
1. The Cultural Evolution of Representing Violence
2.The Symbolism of Evil in Film
3.Poetics of Fictional Violence
4.Women and Violence on Screen
5. Psychological and Structural Violence
Notes
Filmography
Bibliography
Index