FREAKS
Tod Browning – 1932
A) Our identity as human beings is often defined in binary oppositions :
Male/ female – child/adult – self/other – human/animal
In what ways are these boundaries questioned in Freaks?
In this movie, the “monsters” are often two of these genders at the same time. For instance, the couple of dwarfs, if they have the appearance of children, are in fact adults. The beard woman is still one, despite this beard, and the Siamese sister are two different human beings, leading both their own life. We can also name the man without arm nor leg, and which looks like an animal. All these creatures, as they do not look like us, should be considered as animals and not human beings, but the viewer is touched by her sensibility and considers them as real human beings, who they are.
B) Horror films usually have the viewer takes sides for the victim(s).
Who would you say the victim(s) are in this film? Do you feel sorry for him/her/them?
At the beginning, the poor victim is the Dwarf Hans and his wife Frieda, and of course the viewer feels sorry for him, while his hate for Cleopatra increases.
When this one is attacked by the “freaks”, she becomes the victim. The viewer has no pity for her, knowing her behaviour and badness.
C) Freaks are supposed to be monsters.
Who would you say the monsters are in this film?
The real monsters are the “normal” human beings.
D) The characters in the movie work in a travelling circus. They are just attractions there.
Would you say Tod Browning shows them respect? Why/Why not?
I consider he doesn’t show them much more respect than the usual exhibitors or visitors of the circus, exposing them to the camera, etc.
