Holocaust films=Horror films?

A newer concept to horror which I would like to discuss is the idea of the holocaust films as horror films. At first one would think holocaust films are merely historical counts of the exact atrocities as to raise awareness of what really happened. Looking a little bit closer it is easier to make connections between holocaust films and themes that are central to horror films.

            Horror films are defined as aiming to illicit a strong emotional response from the viewer. Holocaust films are made to illicit that strong emotional response as well but what makes it closer to genre is that it uses the same techniques. In an essay by Caroline Joan she discusses a book that was published about holocaust films as horror films but also adds point as to why she sees the connection as well. She writes, “Sharp separations are made between good and evil, between perpetrators and victims in showing connections between horror movies and the Nazi holocaust. For example, the shower scenes in both Psycho and Schindler’s List use female nudity to depict vulnerability.” Joan makes a solid point. Once again I note that horror is constantly under speculation for its use of the female body in films. She notes that both films although entirely different in sense of a story, both use the same technique to portray the female body.

            Also horror films sometimes use very shocking and gruesome scenes to illicit fear in the viewer. Holocaust films definitely use the same technique by showing exactly what happened to victims of the holocaust. Piles of dead bodies, enslaved Jews gaunt from malnutrition and overworking, and horrific execution scenes all show up in holocaust films over and over again. Directors trying to tell the story of the Jewish people do this to prove how disturbing the holocaust actually was and to also make the Nazi’s that much more intimidating and the films that much more horrific.

             Whether it is the use of the female body to depict vulnerability or the use of shock tactics by mutilating the human body holocaust film use these tactics. Horror films also use these tactics and actually originated them. It is a new idea to think about when watching holocaust films to try and relate them to horror films, it may be easier then you think.