Extreme Violence on Film: Or, How I Learned to Google Plot Lines Before Watching Certain Movies, by Meagan Flannery

I debated with myself on whether or not to write a blog about this topic, because it’s such a hot button issue, and usually pits people against each other. I’m a different kind of filmmaker; I like for everyone to get along, the idealist I am. However, I’ve been thinking about it A LOT lately, so I might as well write about it.

One of my favorite pastimes is watching terrible, preferably even controversial films. I like to see movies that exploit taboo topics, and do so in a bad way. Don’t get me wrong, I love great films (I would give anything to recreate the feeling I got when I first saw 2001: A Space Odyssey) – they are the reason I do what I do and why I love it so much. But I get a guilty pleasure out of watching bad movies. Recently, I decided it was time to watch more of the “controversial” films; the films that get banned, censored or cause riots because they upset people so much. A lot of these movies are critically acclaimed (though not all of them are) but are just not received well by the general public. I wanted to see what the big deal was with these movies. Why do they upset people?

I realized I found my Achilles heel. I have problems watching extreme violence on film. I get nauseous, upset and it bothers me for days afterward. Granted, I’m never one to jump up and demand to censor or ban a film for its content, but nonetheless, I’m adversely affected by the movie. And I’m not talking about Kill Bill violence either – I am talking about the worst, most vile acts you could possibly do to a person, and then portray it on film in a realistic way.

I thought that knowing how movies work, knowing the inside/out of a production, would make me immune to seeing certain things on screen, but apparently the suspension of disbelief is quite strong for me when watching movies.

The thing is, film is a strong medium. Unlike literature and music, you see the scene played out before you. Visual images can be stronger than ones made up in your head, and they definitely cannot be controlled because you are basically watching someone else’s vision. There is no escape, either (unless you close your eyes). Movies utilize two of most people’s ways of perceiving things: sight and sound. That’s why a movie tends to engulf you. That’s why, sometimes, you can get lost in a film.

So what is my final verdict on violence in films? I don’t really have one. Do I think that seeing violence on film causes people to be violent? I don’t really think that’s necessarily true, mainly because there are dozens of other factors to consider. Do I think violence on film affects audiences? Usually, yes. Some people get upset, some people get excited, and yes, some people will even take to the streets and riot. Movies can be a powerful thing. It’s not always just entertainment.