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Lucio Fulci, an Italian filmmaker, is best known for his contributions to the horror genre, particularly his graphic and surreal approach to gore and violence. His films, often referred to as “splatter films,” are characterised by their nightmarish imagery, atmospheric settings, and visceral special effects. Fulci’s works, such as Zombie Flesh Eaters, The Beyond, and City of the Living Dead, have gained a cult following for their uncompromising and shocking content.

Throughout his career, Fulci explored various themes and motifs in his films. One recurring theme is the blurring of the lines between reality and the supernatural, as seen in The Beyond, where the protagonists find themselves trapped in a hellish realm. Another prevalent motif in Fulci’s work is the use of body horror, showcasing graphic mutilations and transformations, as exemplified in The New York Ripper and The House by the Cemetery. Fulci’s films often feature atmospheric and surreal settings, such as the fog-shrouded town in City of the Living Dead or the eerie Louisiana bayou in The Beyond, which contribute to the overall sense of dread and unease.

Fulci’s approach to filmmaking was characterised by his visual style and unique directorial touches. He frequently employed extreme close-ups of eyes and facial features, creating a sense of intimacy and discomfort for the viewer. Fulci’s use of vivid colours, particularly reds and blues, added to the surreal and dreamlike quality of his films. He often utilised slow-motion shots to heighten the impact of violent scenes, as seen in the infamous splinter-in-the-eye sequence in Zombie Flesh Eaters. Fulci’s films also featured memorable and haunting musical scores, such as the ethereal soundtrack of The Beyond, which enhanced the otherworldly atmosphere. Despite the graphic nature of his work, Fulci’s films often contained a sense of dark humour and irony, adding another layer to his unique style.

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Lucio Fulci’s Top 5 Films Ranked

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Lucio Fulci: Themes and Style

Themes:

• Supernatural and the Occult: Fulci often delved into the supernatural, with films like The Beyond and City of the Living Dead featuring elements of the occult, gateways to hell, and zombie apocalypses, exploring themes of existential dread and the unknown.
• Gore and Violence: A hallmark of Fulci’s work, such as in Zombie and The New York Ripper, is the explicit, often gratuitous, display of gore and violence, reflecting on the fragility of the human body and the dark side of human nature.
• Psychological Horror: In films like Don’t Torture a Duckling, Fulci explores the psychology of his characters, often blending reality with nightmarish visions, questioning morality and societal norms through a horror lens.
• Death and Decay: Recurrent themes of death, decay, and disintegration pervade Fulci’s work, not just physically but also the moral and social decay within his characters and settings, reflecting a nihilistic view of the world.

Styles:

• Visceral Imagery: Fulci’s style is characterised by its graphic and often shocking imagery, using close-ups and detailed special effects to emphasise the horror and brutality of his scenes, making the viewer confront the physicality of fear.
• Atmospheric Settings: He masterfully crafts eerie, haunting atmospheres through the use of locations, like the desolate landscapes in The Beyond, and soundtracks, creating a sense of impending doom that lingers with the audience.
• Jarring Editing: Fulci employs abrupt, often disorienting edits that contribute to a sense of unease and unpredictability, mirroring the chaotic and fragmented nature of his narratives.
• Surreal Narrative Structures: His films, such as The Beyond, often feature non-linear, dream-like narratives that blur the lines between reality and nightmare, challenging the audience’s perception and drawing them into a disorienting world.

Directorial Signature:

• Eye Trauma: A recurring motif in Fulci’s work is the graphic depiction of eye trauma, symbolising the horror of seeing or being forced to witness unspeakable acts, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.
• Long, Tension-building Sequences: Fulci is known for his ability to build tension through prolonged sequences, slowly ramping up the suspense before culminating in shocking, often gory, climaxes, keeping the audience on edge.
• Use of Sound and Music: His distinctive use of soundtracks and eerie sound effects significantly contributes to the atmospheric tension in his films, with composers like Fabio Frizzi often collaborating to create haunting scores that enhance the horror.
• Mix of Horror and Mystery: Fulci frequently intertwined elements of horror with mystery and thriller components, compelling the audience to engage with the plot’s unfolding while navigating the terror, as seen in The Psychic.

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Lucio Fulci – Great Director