His name rings a bell of recognition even in the ears of those people, who are not at all interested in cinema. He belongs to the greatest directors both in Hollywood and in Europe. Enigmatic and scandalous are two adjectives, which are most frequently used to describe him, one of the most controversial directors, actors and scriptwriters - Roman Polanski.

His films are not regarded as authorial, since most of his works are collaborations with other scriptwriters and producers. However, certain trademarks, which make up a “Polanski film”, can be found throughout his movies: a circular plot structure, complex relationships between the victim and the perpetrator or the evil as his main subject. His movies shock, but even more shocking is his own life, which is often reflected in Polanski´s film-making.

With his movies Roman Polanski manages to reconcile what seems to be irreconcilable. Mazierska (2007) points out that his cinema is at crossroads between many competing discourses, such as art film and mass cinema, America and Europe, entertainment and art-house visual effects, convention and its inversion. And the philosophical issues Polanski draws on are so culturally transposable, that he, furthermore, manages to cross the cultural boarders and gain popularity all over the world.

In the following paper I will take up the challenge of uncovering the controversy of Polanski´s work using an example of the movie Dance of the Vampires that he shot in England in 1967. In the first step I am going to clarify the diversity of different ways, how the audience respond to the film, with the help of movie reviews displayed on amazon.com. Thereafter, using the literature about this particular movie, Polanski´s movies in general and the director himself, I am going to analyse the reasons for the emergence of these controversial reviews and compare the viewers´ attitudes with the opinions of the film critics and Polanski himself. In short, my research questions are as follows:

- What are the different ways, how the audience of Dance of the Vampires respond to the movie?
- What features that set the film apart and the intentions of the filmmaker generate this resonance?
- Can be Dance of the Vampires considered to be a cult film?

Extrait

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

1. Introduction

1.1 The topic of my interest

2. Methodology

2.1 Analysis of the movie reviews

3. Analysis

3.1 A parody on vampire genre versus a comedy set among vampires
3.2 A parasite on Hammer production versus a great horror movie in its own right
3.3 Comedy versus Drama
3.4 A fairy-tale versus a piece of real life
3.5 Polanski's odd film out versus Polanski's best
3.6 A cult film

4. Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze the controversy surrounding Roman Polanski's film, Dance of the Vampires, by examining audience responses and critical opinions. The study investigates the conflicting interpretations of the film's genre, style, and place within Polanski's overall body of work.

Genre ambiguity (comedy vs. horror, parody vs. homage)
Audience reception and critical interpretations
Polanski's stylistic choices and their impact
The film's relationship to Hammer horror films
The film's status as a cult classic

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the analysis. It introduces Roman Polanski as a highly controversial yet influential figure in cinema, highlighting the recurring themes of complex relationships and the exploration of evil in his work. The chapter then focuses on the specific aim of the paper: to analyze the conflicting responses to Polanski's Dance of the Vampires, examining audience reviews and scholarly interpretations to understand the reasons behind the diverse perspectives.

2. Methodology: This chapter details the methodology employed in the analysis. It explains the data source – 107 user reviews from amazon.com – and how these reviews were categorized into six groups reflecting different interpretations of the film (fairy tale, comedy, horror, bad parody, Friday night movie, and cult film). This categorization provides a framework for the subsequent analysis of the film's multifaceted nature and controversial reception.

3. Analysis: This section forms the core of the paper, systematically exploring the contrasting interpretations of Dance of the Vampires across six sub-chapters. Each sub-chapter tackles a specific duality in how the film is perceived (parody vs. comedy, parasitic vs. original horror, comedy vs. drama, fairy tale vs. realism, atypical Polanski vs. one of his best, and cult film vs. not). Each sub-chapter will delve into specific examples from the film, audience reviews, and critical assessments to support its arguments.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Roman Polanski, Dance of the Vampires, film analysis, audience reception, critical interpretation, genre ambiguity, horror comedy, cult film, Hammer horror, parody, controversial director.

Dance of the Vampires: A Film Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main focus of this academic paper?

This paper analyzes the controversial reception of Roman Polanski's film, Dance of the Vampires, by examining audience responses and critical opinions. It investigates the conflicting interpretations of the film's genre, style, and its place within Polanski's overall body of work.

What are the key themes explored in the analysis?

The analysis explores several key themes, including genre ambiguity (comedy vs. horror, parody vs. homage), audience reception and critical interpretations, Polanski's stylistic choices and their impact, the film's relationship to Hammer horror films, and its status as a cult classic.

What is the methodology used in this study?

The study uses a qualitative approach, analyzing 107 user reviews from amazon.com. These reviews were categorized into six groups representing different interpretations of the film: fairy tale, comedy, horror, bad parody, Friday night movie, and cult film. This categorization forms the framework for analyzing the film's multifaceted nature and controversial reception.

How is the analysis structured?

The analysis is structured around six key contrasting interpretations of the film, each forming a sub-chapter: parody versus comedy, parasitic versus original horror, comedy versus drama, fairy tale versus realism, atypical Polanski versus one of his best films, and cult film versus not a cult film. Each sub-chapter uses examples from the film, audience reviews, and critical assessments to support its arguments.

What are the main chapters of the paper?

The paper consists of four main chapters: an introduction setting the context and aims, a methodology chapter detailing the research approach, an analysis chapter exploring the contrasting interpretations, and a conclusion summarizing the findings.

What kind of data was used in the analysis?

The primary data source for this analysis is 107 user reviews from amazon.com. These reviews were used to understand audience perceptions and interpretations of the film.

What are the key takeaways or conclusions expected from this analysis?

The analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse and often conflicting viewpoints surrounding Dance of the Vampires, highlighting the complexities of genre classification, audience reception, and the impact of a director's style on how a film is perceived.

What keywords are associated with this paper?