Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 11 - 06:34 AM

Thanks for Bergman's Virgin Spring, that looks most interesting:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053976/plotsummary

"what exactly do you mean by folklore?"

What *I* mean in reference to this thread, is filmic interpretations of folk tales, fairy tales & other traditional stories, including films for grown-ups which feature the kind of folkloric figures commonly to be found therein. I wasn't too explicit in the OP perhaps.

The Company of Wolves is a definite worthy contender I should think M. Another Angela Carter offering with a fairy tale 'vibe' is The Magic Toyshop, which despite being a beautiful little film drenched in magical realism, seems to be impossible to get hold of: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097806/

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 02 May 11 - 05:06 AM

Ingmar Bergman's Virgin Spring, which is based on a Swedish ballad, which itself is related the Bonnie Banks of Fordie.

There were plans afoot in the late 1960s/early 1970s to make a film version of Tam Linn. Does anybody know what became of it?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 May 11 - 05:00 AM

Surprised no mention so far of Tunes Of Glory, with its pervasive Highland-piping motif.

~M~

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 02 May 11 - 04:23 AM

Seeing no one's bothered to ask it yet - what exactly do you mean by folklore? Indeed, the whole cinematogaphic tradition (narrative or otherwise) could be seen as being Folklore in itself. If it comes down to the usual cosy quaint Mudcat Heritage view of Folkloric Revival then you'd be looking at Morris: A Life With Bells On, The Wicker Man (lovingly based on various layers of Folklore and Folkloric Interpretation) and things like Blood on Satan's Claw, which has the Folklore vibe in spades. Mark Gatis recently called such things Folk Horror, though whether that includes Morris : A Life With Bells On I couldn't possibly say, but if it's anything like the mawkfests of Brassed Off / Full Monty (etc.) then Horror doesn't even cover it.

Othewise, how about The Wonderful World of The Brothers Grimm?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST,The Falcon - guest
Date: 01 May 11 - 11:23 PM

Well, if you think about it - Pretty Woman was a study on the Frog Prince, Awakenings on Rip Van Winkle, but 'Mysterious Ways' starring Adrian Pasdar and Rae Dawn Chong, or 'Poltergeist The Legacy' with Derek deLint and Robbi Chong were good examples of fictional examinations - as was the X-files.
If you're talking about documyth, there are regional programmes which examine the origins and nurturing of various folkloric issues.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 May 11 - 04:53 PM

"The Company of Wolves"? "The Picture of Dorian Gray"?...

"standard 'genre' based pulp." ~~ Not everyone would agree as to what constitutes such, though, Lively. I would urge the claims of some Hammer; of Lugosi as Dracula; of the original 1920s Nosferatu... but strictly limited claims, and certainly not of all such by any means. I fear I have this natural casuist streak which would love to judge absolutely every case on its merits, if only life were long enough!...

~M~

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: Bert
Date: 01 May 11 - 04:46 PM

Ever After

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 01 May 11 - 04:44 PM

On May 1st - The Wicker Man.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST,lively
Date: 01 May 11 - 04:39 PM

No particular areas as such, just your favourite examples of folkloric themes being beautifully translated into film.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: richd
Date: 01 May 11 - 04:28 PM

There's thousands of them! For example the relationship between film and myth is a whole subject in itself. Folk tales of all kinds are a fundamental source of film plots and stories- is there any particular area you are interested in?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST,lively
Date: 01 May 11 - 04:22 PM

Fair point M, I suppose I'd be particularly interested in films which explore folkloric themes more intimately rather than standard 'genre' based pulp.
In other words, good quality vampire and werewolves films would be welcome. But not so much unending lists of seventies horror..

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 May 11 - 04:17 PM

Define, or rather specify, "Themes to be found in folklore" ~~

Werewolves & Vampires, say?

Count them...

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST,lively
Date: 01 May 11 - 03:30 PM

A first offering here:

The Secret of Roan Inish

Based around the myth of the Selkie. I have yet to see this film, but it looks worthwhile according to the reviews.

Subject: Folklore: Film Interpretations of Folklore
From: GUEST,lively
Date: 01 May 11 - 03:27 PM

Literature often draws heavily on themes to be found in folklore.
I'm interested in finding films that do the same?