Dario Argento : Why so much women murder?!

Why so much women murder?!

Even his own daughter! Not nearly as many men get messed up in his films, except Stendhal Syndrome with the awesome revenge scene. I mean i can clearly see why some accuse him of misogyny but I don't tend to agree since he also shows strong female leads. Do any of his films have a little less gore but still as much style and flare?

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Re: Why so much women murder?!

Well then *beep* De Palma and Argento.

I'm joking around here but seriously, that sucks.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

I would argue that Argento's victims are predominantly women because his films are fueled by fetishism and he happens to be heterosexual -- it's no accident the gloved hands that commit the murders are always his. If Argento were gay, you'd see a queue of men ascend the gallows in his films as you do in books by Mishima, Genet and Dennis Cooper.

Argento has also confirmed this in interviews. Daria Nicolodi, Asia's mother, first met Dario auditioning to play Gianna Brezzi in Profundo Rosso -- a role she snagged ably before she and Dario became lovers for the next eleven years.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

I'm a gay filmmaker and I much prefer murdering women.

if you don't like onions, you're not welcome!

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Re: Why so much women murder?!

Many of the Argento films hinge around twisted familial relationships between the mother, father and children which sits at the root of the killers psychological disturbances. Its often a examination of the dark psyche not just inexplicable murders of women happening for purely gratuitous reasons. Theres a certain method...

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Re: Why so much women murder?!

Indeed the females are also pretty handy with a pair of black gloves... in Bird with Crystal Plummage, Jennifer, Stendhal you will see some guys getting their asses kicked by women if thats what turns you on.

Asia has never been killed, its Daria who gets whacked in Opera, Inferno & Phenomena

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Re: Why so much women murder?!

A couple other of my favorites are in Card Player when the kid survives by the skin of his teeth and then a boat comes to 'rescue' him, lol. Also in Deep Red just as the 'killer' is getting away from the school he accidently gets his foot hooked onto a rope attached to a moving vehicle...hehe talk about bad luck

Another favorite is the woman who starts the fire in Inferno, she goes up in flames crashes through a window then lands inside a skylight and later on Dario cuts back to a shot of her burning at full force

Re: Why so much women murder?!

I think there were some opportunities to have Asia die but Dario chose not to for instance Stendhal, Trauma but you're right in that his films aren't really tragedies they seem to end with uplifting scenes. Ultimately he believes in the good of human nature...

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Re: Why so much women murder?!

Cat O' Nine Tails had more men murdered than women. In fact, Bianca Merusi was the only woman that was killed, the rest of the victims were men.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

The unrated cut of MOTHER OF TEARS is certainly Argento's goriest film (and also probably his worst). But TENEBRE has a whopping eleven on-camera murders!

Luxuriate in the eclectic...
http://www.eccentric-cinema.com

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Just finished Phenomena, best lead I found, she was pretty intelligent, plus Jeniffer Connely was and still is a very attractive actress. Also violence was pretty tame compared to the other films I've watched of his. How can anyone bad mouth the ending? Monkey revenge is freaking epic!!! I found it to have a good mix of B movie comedy and acting while still being a grade A product, fairy tale qualities and some very creepy moments.

Seems most of his less gorey work is also his worst, Card Player sucked, although so did Stendhal.

Up next is Deep Red which I hear is his best but most violent, but eh I'm sure there's been worse, but I really enjoy the soundtracks in his movies even the bad ones.

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Re: Why so much women murder?!

Not to defend Argento--who is no doubt a pretty weird guy--but frankly the commercial logistics of the horror market require sexy young women to be the primary victims. Depressing, but it's true. I don't know if Argento is misogynist or just following commercial precedent. It's true that some of his most brutal killing scenes (esp. "Opera") have been of men. But they're still in the minority.

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Re: Why so much women murder?!

Opera and the Stendhal Syndrome are definitely the most sadistic of his I've seen so far. Love them both!

I'm a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl

Re: Why so much women murder?!

To answer clow-987 original question: "Do any of his films have a little less gore but still as much style and flare?"

Yes, The Card Player and Do You Like Hitchcock? (the last was a TV movie) have less gore and more plot. And they are actually good. I watched both of them this weekend and could watch them again.

Why does he kill more women?
Well, most horror movie victims are women and crime shows like Criminal Minds and Medium usually show more violence aimed towards women, so I wouldn't think Argento is the only one to blame!

I guess in general, more violence happens to women than men in the real world and that is reflected like a mirror into the movies.

And plus, Argento's mother left him. So this abandonment might bleed into his filmwork as a catharsis.

But he really does murder a lot of men in his movies too.

Re: Why so much women murder?!


Well, most horror movie victims are women and crime shows like Criminal Minds and Medium usually show more violence aimed towards women, so I wouldn't think Argento is the only one to blame!

I guess in general, more violence happens to women than men in the real world and that is reflected like a mirror into the movies.


Good point, agreed.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Read his bio...there is a quote that addresses this question. But think about horror movies for a second...don't they all favor women as the victim? Men are too powerful physically to care as strongly about, children are too weak to make worthy victims...women are the best of both. Generally weaker physically than their attackers, yet as smart and strong mentally as their male counterparts. Plus as Dario said, we would rather see a beautiful woman as the victim than an ugly woman or a man...simply for aesthetic reasons.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

yeah someone already mentioned the most graphic stabbing of all time in Opera haha, but in Suspiria the blind man gets mauled to death by his own dog

the way.. of the future.. the WAY.. of the future.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Because you can't see the murdered men...

I think it has nothing to do with misogyny...
Maybe someone want you to see that way.
I would call it "cliche".

If it was the opposite way... Would you be thinking: Why so much men murder?

I don't think so... In fact, you don't.


Saving private Ryan is full of murdered men.


In the end is always murdered people. Who cares about the sex of the victim? That would be sexism.


Horror is full of murdered women, and is full of murdered men, and full of heroes and heroines... And maybe the greatest heroines are in the horror genre...

Re: Why so much women murder?!

I never understood why slasher films have so many girls murdered. I never enjoyed seeing beautiful women getting killed.

Here's why

Argento: I like women, especially beautiful ones. If they have a good face and figure, I would much prefer to watch them being murdered than an ugly girl or man. I certainly don't have to justify myself to anyone about this. I don't care what anyone thinks or reads into it. I have often had journalists walk out of interviews when I say what I feel about this subject.

"I shouldn't make movies anymore. I should go to a lunatic asylum." - Werner Herzog

Re: Why so much women murder?!

The poster below you has quoted Argento himself on the matter, but seeing beautiful women getting killed, especially using knives, is highly erotic for some.

I'm a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Yes and also highly misogynistic. It shows a deep fear and hatred for women.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Because no one really cares when a man dies?
jkjkjk
here's an article that talks about misogyny in slasher films in general
http://harpymarx.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/the-final-girl-misogyny-and- the-slasher-film/

Re: Why so much women murder?!

I know you liberals like to complain about everything, but use your head. Most modern day serial killers attacked women.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

That is correct and if you read about a bit more in depth about these make serial killers, you will find a deep hatred of women. Most often a hatred of the mother or a girlfriend. Case in point Ted Bundy who murdered women who resembled the ex who rejected him. It was his way of murdering his ex over and over again. However his deep hatred of women stemmed from his relationship with his mother.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Because women have more cinematic tits. It is all about that mise en scene.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Despite what the first guy said, 'Deep Red' is gory as hell; if you're looking for something with substantially less gore, check out 'The Bird With The Crystal Plumage' or 'The Cat 'O Nine Tails'. Argento also had a shortly lived TV show called 'Door Into Darkness' which is finally available on DVD here in the states.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

I remember an interview on youtube where he admitted he had some issues with women that he thinks may be based on his mother. And I think he is a bit self conscious because most of his characters; killers, victims, heroes and bit parts tend to be women.

I actually think he might be exploring his own baggage in these movies. Of course I'm not a psychiatrist so I wouldn't know for sure.

I can't seem to find that video though...

EDIT: Found it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3SqYsJIsmg

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Because a beautiful woman is much more glamorous and the mise-en-scene is the driving force of the film. These films find the beauty in murder and it's easiest to find with a woman.. They're more cinematic.

http://quietus_production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/articles/10531/teneb rae_1351656491_crop_550x297.jpg
http://cdn.bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/6suspiria- 30406.jpg

if you don't like onions, you're not welcome!

Re: Why so much women murder?!

Why so many extended, first-person POV shots of people climbing up stairs and running down halls? Black gloves? People getting their faces smashed through glass?

Why not?

Maybe because a lot of the victims are young, beautiful women, it makes the killers look extra evil. The girls are like beautiful flowers cut down in their prime.

Sort of spinning off the subject, now we've got all sorts of TV shows and news stories about how young women are getting kidnapped, murdered, raped, and so on. Ever watch Criminal Minds or Dateline or 60 Minutes? Women are vulnerable. The movies were made in a different time, I know, but have women gotten any *less* vulnerable to attacks by serial killers?

I mean, TV and news has me afraid that the UPS man's going to stuff me in a box and trap me in a barn as a breeding slave. That doesn't seem to happen to men as much.

But these movies are fiction; it was an artistic choice. As a woman, I identify more with another woman being in peril. Maybe guys in the audience don't want to see pretty girls get killed? Unless they do. Win-win?

There is no objective reality... and that's Sucker Punch

Re: Why so much women murder?!


Even his own daughter! Not nearly as many men get messed up in his films, except Stendhal Syndrome with the awesome revenge scene. I mean i can clearly see why some accuse him of misogyny but I don't tend to agree since he also shows strong female leads. Do any of his films have a little less gore but still as much style and flare?


Yeah, he got "oh you're misogynist" from feminists back in the day (long before it was "cool" to call pretty much everyone misogynist), but he's actually very down to earth and one of the nicest guys you could met.

I met him around 10+ years in person, he was lot of fun. Few of the funny moments from that day: Dario counting how many people have come to see his movies (it was Italian horror festival) then being confused at how many people got there, Dario being confused when he couldn't figure out which door he needs to exit, Dario "arguing" with organizers of festival because he offered us a drink and organizers didn't let us take it, Dario offering us Asia's phone number then realizing she'll be pissed because two of them weren't speaking at the time, etc.


but I don't tend to agree since he also shows strong female leads.


Yeah, he does. "Suzy Bannion" from Suspiria is clear example of that. She's not passive, she constantly goes looking around and even fights a witch coven at the end. Compare that to lead of Inferno, where lead man pretty much stumbles during the whole movie and every time he gets out of the situation by pure luck (like fire accidentally killing the Mother for example. He didn't do sh*t to stop her, it was pure luck)

Anyway, to answer your question... All of his giallo movies are pretty gory. "The Card Player" seems to be most tame because it was specifically made for American market, so it plays more like regular American crime thriller. "Trauma" is also pretty tame compared to his others, and "Bird" is now obviously outdated when it comes to violence.

Re: Why so much women murder?!

I imagine that's because he knows women well!
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