German underground horror
Encyclopedia
German underground horror is a sub-genre of the horror film
, which has achieved cult popularity since first appearing in the mid-1980s.
Horror films produced by the German underground scene are usually trademarked by their intensity, taking on topics that are culturally taboo such as rape
, necrophilia
, and extreme violence
. Films that glorify violence are not technically illegal
in Germany
, but certain titles are banned by the government and Zollkriminalamt
. Distribution, import, or creation of specific films can constitute steep fines.
, but to very little success.
In 1987
, amateur filmmaker Andreas Schnaas
made the movie Violent Shit
for a reported $2000. Released as Germany's first direct-to-video
film, it was a modest hit amongst fans of independent horror. The same year, filmmaker Jörg Buttgereit
wrote and directed Nekromantik
. Both films were banned by the German government, but their popularity influenced other filmmakers such as Olaf Ittenbach
to bring Germany's underground horror film scene further into the media spotlight.
Since then, many other filmmakers have emerged from the German underground horror scene, including Uwe Boll
and Timo Rose
. Uwe Boll is notable as the only underground German director who has gone on to a career in big budget cinema.
In Germany, there is also a category above "18" entitled 'indiziert' or "on the index". 'indizierte' films are treated the same way as pornography. Distribution companies, cinemas, and video shops cannot advertise these films, nor can they be openly on display - unless a shop is open to 'adults only'. However, it is legal to sell and buy such material. Many video rental stores have back rooms or basements for such merchandise.
Examples of 'indizierte' films include Cannibal Ferox
, Cannibal Holocaust
, Last House on the Left
, From Dusk Till Dawn
, and Dario Argento
's Profondo Rosso. Several of these films were released uncut in Germany, but were subject to the limitations listed. Others were edited and then released as 'indizierte'.
Some movies, i.e. Braindead, are completely banned in Germany (mostly for glamourizing violence), as it is illegal even to sell them to adults. These movies 'indiziert' as well as 'beschlagnahmt' ("judicially confiscated"). While selling these kinds of media is strictly prohibited, it is legal to buy or own such movies.
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
, which has achieved cult popularity since first appearing in the mid-1980s.
Horror films produced by the German underground scene are usually trademarked by their intensity, taking on topics that are culturally taboo such as rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
, necrophilia
Necrophilia
Necrophilia, also called thanatophilia or necrolagnia, is the sexual attraction to corpses,It is classified as a paraphilia by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. The word is artificially derived from the ancient Greek words: νεκρός and φιλία...
, and extreme violence
Extreme violence
Extreme Violence is a computer game for the Commodore Amiga, released in 1991 as a shareware game. It was written by Simon Green in AMOS ....
. Films that glorify violence are not technically illegal
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, but certain titles are banned by the government and Zollkriminalamt
Zollkriminalamt
The German Customs Investigation Bureau in Cologne and its investigation offices are federal agencies that fall under the German Finance Ministry...
. Distribution, import, or creation of specific films can constitute steep fines.
History of German underground horror
In an attempt to shed its violent image, horror films were very rarely made in Germany after the fall of the Third Reich. Movies such as Ein Toter hing im Netz/Horrors of Spider Island, Schlangengrube und das Pendel, and The Head were filmed and released in the decades following World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but to very little success.
In 1987
1987 in film
-Events:*January 31 - The Cure for Insomnia premieres at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to officially become the world's longest film according to Guinness World Records....
, amateur filmmaker Andreas Schnaas
Andreas Schnaas
Andreas Schnaas is a German director and actor, working exclusively in the horror genre. Since he first appeared on the film scene in 1989, Schnaas has become a leader in Germany's ultra-violent low-budget horror film industry.- Early years :Andreas Schnaas was born in Hamburg and embraced cinema...
made the movie Violent Shit
Violent Shit
Violent Shit is an ultra-low budget horror film, most notable as the first feature-length film directed by Andreas Schnaas.- Plot :The film begins with a young boy named Karl Berger murdering his mother with a meat cleaver, after she reprimands him for returning home late...
for a reported $2000. Released as Germany's first direct-to-video
Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
film, it was a modest hit amongst fans of independent horror. The same year, filmmaker Jörg Buttgereit
Jörg Buttgereit
Jörg Buttgereit is a German writer/director known for his controversial films. He was born in Berlin, Germany and has lived there for his entire life.He is maybe best known for his 1987 film Nekromantik....
wrote and directed Nekromantik
Nekromantik
NEKRomantik is a 1987 West German horror film directed by Jörg Buttgereit. This frequently controversial movie, banned in a number of countries, has become a cult film over the years due to its transgressive subject matter and audacious imagery...
. Both films were banned by the German government, but their popularity influenced other filmmakers such as Olaf Ittenbach
Olaf Ittenbach
Olaf Ittenbach is a German horror movie director, actor and special effects artist.-Biography:Ittenbach was born in Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany...
to bring Germany's underground horror film scene further into the media spotlight.
Since then, many other filmmakers have emerged from the German underground horror scene, including Uwe Boll
Uwe Boll
Uwe Boll is a German director, producer and screenwriter, whose work includes several films adapted from video games. He finances his own films through his Boll KG production company. He is often cited as the worst director of all time.-Early life:...
and Timo Rose
Timo Rose
Timo Rose is a German horror and science fiction filmmaker, rapper, and founder of the production company Sword of Independence Filmworks .-Films:...
. Uwe Boll is notable as the only underground German director who has gone on to a career in big budget cinema.
Ratings' effect on German underground horror
Once a film has been rated by the German ratings board, that is its rating for both cinema and video releases. It is legal to have two versions of a film. Often, there is a cut "16" version (equivalent to the R-rating by the MPAA) released in cinemas and an uncut "18" version (equivalent to an NC-17 rating) on video. Films rated "18" are not stocked by all video shops, which affects rentals of violent German horror.In Germany, there is also a category above "18" entitled 'indiziert' or "on the index". 'indizierte' films are treated the same way as pornography. Distribution companies, cinemas, and video shops cannot advertise these films, nor can they be openly on display - unless a shop is open to 'adults only'. However, it is legal to sell and buy such material. Many video rental stores have back rooms or basements for such merchandise.
Examples of 'indizierte' films include Cannibal Ferox
Cannibal Ferox
Cannibal Ferox, also known as Make Them Die Slowly, is a 1981 Italian exploitation film written and directed by Umberto Lenzi. Upon its release, the film made claims to being "The most violent film ever made"...
, Cannibal Holocaust
Cannibal Holocaust
Cannibal Holocaust is a 1980 Italian horror film directed by Ruggero Deodato from a screenplay by Gianfranco Clerici. Filmed in the Amazon Rainforest and dealing with indigenous tribes, it was cast mostly with United States actors and filmed in English to achieve wider distribution...
, Last House on the Left
The Last House on the Left (1972 film)
The Last House on the Left is a 1972 horror film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Sean S. Cunningham.The story is inspired by the 1960 Swedish film The Virgin Spring, directed by Ingmar Bergman, which in turn is based on the 13th century Swedish ballad "Töres döttrar i Wänge"...
, From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk till Dawn is a 1996 horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. The movie stars Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino and Juliette Lewis.-Plot:...
, and Dario Argento
Dario Argento
Dario Argento is an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his work in the horror film genre, particularly in the subgenre known as giallo, and for his influence on modern horror and slasher movies....
's Profondo Rosso. Several of these films were released uncut in Germany, but were subject to the limitations listed. Others were edited and then released as 'indizierte'.
Some movies, i.e. Braindead, are completely banned in Germany (mostly for glamourizing violence), as it is illegal even to sell them to adults. These movies 'indiziert' as well as 'beschlagnahmt' ("judicially confiscated"). While selling these kinds of media is strictly prohibited, it is legal to buy or own such movies.