Primal Screen
Directed by Rodney Ascher
Why are we simultaneously attracted to and repelled by the things that scare us the most? In this special presentation, acclaimed filmmaker Rodney Ascher (ROOM 237, THE NIGHTMARE) explores the pop culture that left dark impressions on us as children. Starting from the immortal ventriloquist dummy of MAGIC, Ascher asks real people to look back at pop-culture artifacts that traumatized them in their youth and describe the effect they had on their lives. A singular hybrid of documentary and horror, stare into the Primal Screen.
In this Shudder Original, acclaimed filmmaker Rodney Ascher explores the pop culture that left dark impressions on us as children.
Cast: Gregory Burkart, Daniel Ferranti, Gary Holland
Member Reviews
A lot of people are being really unfair to this one simply because they didn't like Room 237. What they fail to understand was Room 237 wasn't playing the opinions of the discussion straight, simply depicting other people's eccentric opinions on The Shining. This is doing the same thing, simply depicting people's personal experiences and opinions as-is. Except this was far more emphasizing experiences over opinions. I thought it was interesting, and I love discussions like this. I'm only lowering the rating because I can tell this was going to be episode 1 of a series and I wish there were more. Also, I hadn't heard of Magic before this and I gotta watch it.
An interesting little documentary on childhood fears. What was it that scared you as a kid and why? Ventriloquist dummies are a sensible thing to be scared of.
It's pretty cool! But why isn't this a series with each episode featuring a new fear over 27 mins?
Pretty decent, lovely film
nice