The uncanny

Definition

The uncanny refers to a psychological experience that evokes feelings of unease and discomfort, often arising from something that is both familiar and strange. It plays a significant role in art and literature, where it blurs the line between reality and the surreal, often eliciting a sense of disorientation or eerie familiarity. In the context of surrealism, it becomes a tool for artists and filmmakers to provoke thought and challenge perceptions of reality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The uncanny manifests through familiar objects or situations that become distorted or unsettling, creating a sense of dread or confusion.
2. In French surrealist cinema, filmmakers often employed the uncanny to challenge viewers' perceptions of reality and evoke emotional responses.
3. The uncanny is closely tied to Freudian concepts, particularly in how repressed fears and desires can surface in unexpected ways.
4. Classic examples of the uncanny can be found in films like 'Un chien andalou,' where ordinary scenarios take on bizarre, dream-like qualities.
5. Surrealist artists intentionally used the uncanny to provoke thought and confront societal norms, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own realities.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of the uncanny enhance the emotional impact of French surrealist films?
  • The concept of the uncanny enhances the emotional impact of French surrealist films by creating a sense of discomfort through familiar yet distorted imagery. By presenting everyday objects or situations in unsettling ways, filmmakers provoke viewers' psychological reactions, forcing them to confront their own fears and anxieties. This emotional engagement allows audiences to explore deeper themes related to identity, reality, and the subconscious.
• In what ways does Freudian theory contribute to understanding the uncanny in surrealist cinema?
  • Freudian theory contributes significantly to understanding the uncanny in surrealist cinema by explaining how repressed thoughts and feelings can emerge unexpectedly. Surrealist filmmakers often drew on Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind, utilizing dream-like sequences to reflect inner turmoil and hidden desires. This connection highlights how the uncanny serves as a bridge between conscious experiences and subconscious impulses, enriching the narrative complexity of surrealist films.
• Evaluate the significance of automatism in expressing the uncanny within French surrealist cinema.
  • Automatism plays a crucial role in expressing the uncanny within French surrealist cinema by allowing filmmakers to tap into subconscious creativity without deliberate control. This technique leads to spontaneous images that can evoke the strange familiarity characteristic of the uncanny. By embracing automatism, artists create scenes that disrupt normal perceptions of reality, effectively challenging audiences to question their understanding of both art and life. As a result, automatism not only illustrates the uncanny but also deepens its impact through unexpected and thought-provoking visual narratives.

Related terms

Surrealism: An artistic movement that seeks to unleash the creative potential of the unconscious mind, often by juxtaposing unexpected images and ideas.

Freudian Theory: The psychological theories developed by Sigmund Freud that explore the unconscious mind, repression, and the nature of dreams, contributing to understanding the uncanny.

Automatism: A technique used by surrealists to create art without conscious thought, allowing subconscious impulses to guide the creation process.