A continuation from his excellent three part 2010 documentary
series A History of Horror, Mark Gatiss leads us on a tour
of some of the horror films of western Europe over the last hundred
years, examining the changing influences that defined the genre
throughout the continent.
Formed of an absorbing ninety minutes, Horror Europa travels
through five countries to tell its narrative. Beginning in Belgium,
Mark Gatiss - sharply dressed throughout in an electric blue suit -
introduces us to one of his favourite films, the erotic and subtle
vampire thriller Daughters of Darkness. We'd previously
seen Mark speak on the film alongside the documentary's
consultant Jonathan Rigby last year, but here he visits the
locations in Ostend where it was partly shot, taking some obvious
veiled glee in recreating moments from the film. From there, he
travels back to 1920s Germany, examining one of the exclusions from
the earlier series that he was most questioned on - the classic
silent film Nosferatu, arguing that its creeping,
expressionistic framing and construction both defined and
influenced numerous others around the world. From there, his
journey proceeds through France and Italy before concluding in
Spain. As the documentary progresses, so does the passage of time,
with Mark arguing that the growth and evolution of the genre
country by country is both in response to the success of it
overseas, while also influenced by the events of the wider world,
most importantly the aftermath of both World Wars. But there's also
a notable change in tone in the films as we progress nation to
nation, from the tormented work of Germany, the anger of France,
the stylistic flamboyance of Italy and finally the melancholy
introspection of Spain.
Aside from Mark's own examination of the numerous films he
presents to us, Horror Europa is packed with information and
interview material with both their actors and directors, including
Edith Scob, so memorable behind a mask in France's Eyes without
a Face; Italy's Dario Argento, famous for his violent stalker
movies in Italy; and Guillermo del Toro, director of the more
recent The Devil's Backbone and the Oscar winning
Pan's Labyrinth. Mark also indulges some wry and
occasionally black humour in the presentation between film clips
and the new documentary material, with a highlight featuring
director Harry Kümel being handed a distinctive looking green drink
from his film Daughters of Darkness in a toast, before
being hilariously warned off drinking it - we won't spoil the
surprise as to the contents of the glass.
Artfully and archly shot throughout the duration, the
documentary makes ample use of the locations that appear in the
films it examines, as well as some other hugely evocative and
indeed spooky places - not least an abandoned
sanatorium in Berlin, all paint peeled walls, shattered windows and
floating brick dust. The choice of culled film footage here is also
carefully selected, but also among the most impactful and
unflinching moments from their respective works at times, fully
earning the after dark broadcast slot. Packaged together,
Horror Europa is an entertaining tour around its targeted
section of the continent, taking the time to linger in places and
give them their due while simultaneously rattling through Mark's
chosen list of subjects. Scheduled as an intelligent treat
pre-Halloween, it is perfect viewing.
Following the preview screening at the BFI, Mark was joined on
stage by Jonathan Rigby and producer John Das for a Question and
Answer session. Lead by Jonathan, the three described in depth the
inspirations and production process for the film, revealing it
originally emerged from discussion about how to progress from the
original three part series. Mark suggested Europe be the subject,
while joking that the absence of Nosferatu was also one of
the driving forces for the new documentary, noting the sacrifices
that occasionally had to be made when making the 2010 series. He
also made light of the constant questioning on Twitter for the
film's exclusion from the series, with Jonathan astutely noting
that it carried the leader of 'A' (not 'The') History of Horror, as
the series is very much a personal opinion on the genre rather than
a definitive statement.
Horror Europa was filmed in twelve days across eight
countries, effectively a nonstop tour around Europe as well as a
single day's trip to Canada to interview Guillermo del Toro in
Toronto. The filming process would often involve arriving in a
country in the morning, with the crew filming material by the
afternoon in remarkably fast turnarounds with little preparation.
There were amusing stories of the locations that some of the
filming took place in, including that striking, paint peeled
sanatorium in Berlin, very much evocative of the shadow of the war
but also, it turns out, the site of serial killings. In the case of
Orava Castle in Slovakia, so memorable onscreen in
Nosferatu, the locals were completely unaware of the
significance of the location, or that such a renowned film had been
shot there. Mark told an amusing story of a chance meeting that
occurred after the hectic filming schedule for Horror Europa had
concluded, having experienced that distinctive sensation of waking
up in a hotel room with no knowledge or sense of where you are or
how you got there - whilst walking past the Savoy in London, he
bumped into Richard E Grant, who told him he was making a series
for Sky titled The World of Great Hotels, presumably on a
far more leisurely schedule!
Mark said his favourite interviewee during the making of
Horror Europa was Edith Scob, saying she was the
equivalent of the French Una Stubbs, and utterly delightful, while
the interview that was most concerning was with Dario Argento, both
through his perceived aura and the need to ask about his
'complicated relationship with women', the answer to which was
rather effectively blocked and thus didn't make the final cut. In
the end though he was an excellent and funny interviewee, initially
speaking in Italian but then suddenly breaking into eloquent
English - a moment captured in the documentary.
When questioned later by an audience member, Mark confirmed he
would like to proceed with further hypothetical documentaries on
the subject of world horror, either one dedicated to Asian horror
or a general 'mop up' piece that collated any favourites from
around the world he had been unable to include in these four films.
From the consistent quality, strength and humour of the
documentaries that he has presented thus far on the subject, these
possible further examinations of the genre frankly cannot come soon
enough.
Horror Europa screens in the UK on BBC Four, October 30 2012
at 21:00GMT.
The Q&A session was filmed by the BFI and video
highlights will be released on their website soon.