Zombies

9/11 and The Zombies

Horror films work as a reflection of societies anxieties

“zombie movies represent the inescapablerealities of unnatural death while

presenting a grim view of the modernapocalypse through scenes of deserted

streets, piles of corpses, and gangs ofvigilantes—images that have become

increasingly common and can shockand terrify a population that has become

numb to other horror subgenres.”

Since 9/11 society has become more culturally aware of threats, it

was an almost wake up call that we’re not as safe as we thought

Terror Attack / Zombie Attack

The after-effects of...

closely resemble the scenarios of zombie cinema

images of death and destruction have the power to shock and terrify

populations that has become otherwise jaded by more

traditional horror films.

Immersing ourselves into a Zombie world!

Video Games Survival Guide Literature

“In films, books and video games, the undeadare once again on the march, elbowing

past werewolves, vampires, swampthings and mummies to become the postmillennial

ghoul of the moment”

Film

Zombie GenreSpecific criteria that governs its plot:• Zombies and the threat of a violent death• A post - apocalyptic backdrop where there is a collapse of societal

infrastructures• Indulgence of survivalist fantasies, and the fear of other surviving humansThese characteristics are all pre 9/11 but they have become more relevant to a modern, contemporary audience

Audiences fear these creatures because:• They are corpses• They are corpses of known dead• They pursue humans with intent

to eat alive

Changes in time

• CGI and special effects have made the genre more real

• Graphic and naturalistic scenes of death• Increase in on screen violence• Desensitisation

Survivor Fantasy

• Survivors group together in a ‘fortress’• No laws = looting • Other survivors are a danger

“The living people are dangerous to eachother, both because they are potentiallyliving dead should they die and becausethey are human with all of the ordinary

human failings”

References to 9/11

Dawn of the Dead

Chaos, fear and panic reminiscent of the aftermath of 9/11

Conclusion

‘a post-9/11 audience cannot help but perceive the characteristics of zombie cinema through the filter of terrorist

threats and apocalyptic reality’ (Kyle Bishop 2009: p.24)Defining whether the representation is intentional or merely

based upon reading of the text is the difficult issue

‘Initially, zombie movies shocked audiences with their unfamiliar images; today, they are all the more shocking because of their

familiarity’ (Kyle Bishop 2009: p.24)Some people may directly relate the themes and threats

involved to their own life; almost using the texts as preparation for an apocalypse