Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror (2001)

Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror Poster

Documentary that explores Argento's film career.

Introduction
"Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror" is a documentary released in 2001, commemorating the life and work of Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. Called the "Italian Hitchcock", Argento is finest kept in mind for his unique visual design and contribution to the "giallo" genre-- a specific type of Italian thriller-horror movie that typically includes grisly violence, psychological twists, and crime drama aspects. Produced and directed by Leon Ferguson, the documentary features interviews with Argento, collaborators, family members, and popular figures from the horror movie market, supplying an in-depth look into the master of horror's thoughts, worries, and artistic vision.

Early Life and Influences
The film starts by chronicling Argento's early life, maturing in Rome with a daddy who worked as a manufacturer and a mom who was a photographer. He was presented to the world of movie theater at a very young age, with Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much" making a particularly strong impression on him. His love for literature and fascination with the darker elements of human nature likewise affected his future work. Edgar Allan Poe, specifically, inspired Argento's interest in aesthetically representing sensations of worry and horror.

Profession Beginnings and "Giallo" Genre
Argento's profession in the movie market started with composing movie scripts, especially teaming up with Sergio Leone on the spaghetti western "Once Upon a Time in the West". The documentary information his transition into directing and the birth of his distinct design, with his launching film "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage". This film cemented Argento's status as a leading figure in the giallo genre, showcasing his attention to information, strong visual storytelling, and fondness for artistically staged violence.

The movie explores Argento's subsequent works within the giallo category, such as "Cat O'Nine Tails" and "Deep Red" (Profondo Rosso), which even more defined his ingenious design and brought him international popularity. With experienced camerawork, Argento frequently focused his films around the concept of the lead character seeing a violent occasion, requiring them to decipher the secret surrounding it.

Supernatural Horror and "Suspiria"
The documentary moves on to discuss Argento's venture into supernatural scary with "Suspiria". Launched in 1977, the movie tells the story of an American dancer who reveals a coven of witches within a distinguished dance academy in Germany. The film is praised for its innovative usage of color, spooky soundtrack (created by the band Goblin), and unsettling atmosphere.

"Suspiria" represented a departure from the more grounded, crime-centered films that Argento had formerly been understood for. Nevertheless, its experimental nature and striking visuals rapidly made it a track record as one of the most influential scary movies of all time.

Later Career and Legacy
"Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror" concludes by reflecting on the filmmaker's later work, including "Opera", "The Stendhal Syndrome", and "Phenomena". Although some of these films got combined to unfavorable reviews, they continued to showcase Argento's special artistic vision and love for the horror genre.

Throughout the documentary, different professionals within the market speak about Argento's influence on them, emphasizing his influence on worldwide movie theater. Directors like John Carpenter, George Romero, and Guillermo del Toro discuss the significance of Argento's work and stylistic contributions to the horror genre.

Conclusion
"Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror" offers an extensive and intimate look into the life and career of among the most prominent scary filmmakers of perpetuity. Through interviews and expert analysis, this documentary enables viewers to appreciate the artistry and vision of an icon who continues to impact the scary genre today.

Top Cast

  • Mark Kermode (small)
    Mark Kermode
    Narrator (voice)
  • Dario Argento (small)
    Dario Argento
    Self
  • John Carpenter (small)
    John Carpenter
    Self
  • Michael Brandon (small)
    Michael Brandon
    Self
  • Claudio Argento
    Self
  • Daria Nicolodi (small)
    Daria Nicolodi
    Self
  • Fiore Argento (small)
    Fiore Argento
    Self
  • Asia Argento (small)
    Asia Argento
    Self
  • Alan Jones
    Self
  • Jessica Harper (small)
    Jessica Harper
    Self
  • Alice Cooper (small)
    Alice Cooper
    Self