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
The film MAGIC is pretty good. Scary ventriloquist story. Enough said. This documentary not so much.
A well done look and pseudo-analysis of the fear of dolls. I enjoyed it.
This is great, and really tapped into my childhood fear of dummies and dolls. I agree with others that I'd like to see a series of these.
Oh, I remember that commercial vividly! I was ten years old and it traumatized me. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one!
That was awesome, great insights and visuals. I would love a series done in this way exploring various fears & phobias that started in childhood based on real life stories. It's interesting stuff.