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How Does Horror Reflect Societal Fears? Shaping Global Anxieties Through Translation

How Does Horror Reflect Societal Fears? Shaping Global Anxieties Through Translation
  • PublishedJuly 4, 2024

If talking scientifically, films are a succession of photographs projected on a screen with the help of light. However, if talking from a societal point of view, movies lay the foundation of our society and drive our thoughts. One might say that it is we who provide thoughts to filmmakers due to which they produce such artistic films. On the other hand, some think that we get inspiration from movies and it is these movies that help us provide areas to ponder on. However, the thing is that both movies and we, people, have a direct relationship with each other.

One of the most important things that even surpasses the multilingual and multicultural barrier is the use of professional film translation services. This short read discusses specifically the effect of the horror genre in the film industry and how translation communicates this anxiety that arises because of these movies.

The Universal Language of Fear

No human is void of fear. Almost every one of us has a fear, either rational or irrational. The rational and irrational part is debatable but focusing on the man thing, we all are afraid of something. For some people, it’s the fear of close spaces, for some there is cynophobia, and for others it’s aerophobia. This fear is one of the main things that connects us with our fellow humans.

And guess what, the film industry earns millions of dollars every year from this fear factor. Yes, we know how horror movies fascinate us. The facility of language translation for media services is one reason that we have these movies where this language of fear becomes universal.

Horror Element in the Film Industry

Horror is a genre in movies. The purpose of this genre is to shock or scare the audience. It accelerates the flow and production of dopamine. In other words, it is the feel-good hormone that stimulates when humans are happy or scared.  It is a neurotransmitter that carries pleasurable feelings. You must have encountered people who love to watch horror movies. It is because they love the thrill and feel that these movies provide them. A multimedia translation agency is responsible for providing this experience beyond borders by playing the role of a bridge.

There are many web series and movies that earn a great deal of revenue from just producing content in this genre. The most famous horror and thriller web series of all time, “Supernatural”, still earn great revenue. The cast of this series, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki are still famous by their names Dean and Sam Winchester, respectively.

Role of Translation in Fear of the Unknown

Translation plays a major role in the propagation of this fear. The fear of the unknown is one of the most important things that makes horror movies extremely horror. Whenever, suddenly a horrific image appears on the screen, the audience screams as they are not aware of what is going to come next.

The movie “The Grudge” came out in 2004, and it is still considered one of the most horrific movies ever made. The movie shows the Japanese culture and how they treat their dead ones. The movie revolves around the concept that those who die in distress, come to disturb and haunt the ones who have led them to death. And sometimes, even the innocent ones suffer from the wrath of the dead. The efficient film translation of the movie adds to the horror elements and attracts the target audience.

How Horror Movies Reflect Our Societal Fears?

Horror movies display what as a society we fear. We are afraid of what is going to happen in the future as we are unaware of it. This fear is effectively displayed in these horror and gothic movies.

Human Nature of Exploration

Since the advent of civilization, humans have had this uncontrollable nature of exploration. This is that same nature that brought Adam from Heaven to Earth. This nature is the nature that you will find people going towards things they dread the most. Even in movies, we can see that actors go towards suspicious things that later drag them into the pit of death.

Fear of the Other – Supernatural Elements

Xenophobia is the fear of the other. It is common for people they think that foreign people can take refuge in their country and will eventually throw them out of their own country. In the film industry, this fear accounts for the supernatural elements. The paranormal activities are the fear of others in this industry. The Child’s Play, The Exorcist, and Annabelle are the trending examples of this fear.

Final Words!

The film industry works on different genres and provides the audience with a unique lens to see things. Fear is a universal thing so the film industry drives on this one too. “The Grudge”, “Annabelle”, and “The Child’s Play” are a few of the movies that are masterpieces, especially when it comes to horror movies. The film industry earns revenue from the basic human fear of the unknown and the fear of paranormal things.

Written By
elijame