Shadows, darkness, graveyards, coffins and other images of death are predominating features of the film’s set. Through the use of such imagery has been used to give the film a dark theme and heightens the theme of horror within the film. Other ideas that have their roots in vampire texts are those that decide the rules for vampires such as living for eternity, feeding on blood to live, and the passing of powers through blood. The sexual element of the vampire myth remains within this text, as does the vampire’s obsession with beauty. This particular aspect has been chosen and appropriated, as it is an aspect of current film that has been shown as one that audiences respond to and enjoy.
These aspects are shown in a particular scene that takes place in the home of Lestat. The home is located on a deserted moor and is in the form of sandstone, almost medieval castle, which has been appropriated from the “Dracula” film. Within his home there are many statues of mythological creatures, human skulls and skulls of horned animals such as antelopes and rams. These horns are also an evident part of the furniture, artwork and floor coverings, which are made of the skins of vicious animals, located in Lestat’s home. These aspects have all been appropriation from other texts, and are closely associated with the vampire myth.
Within this text, very few issues have been raised. One is the idea of adapting to the times. As is shown in many aspects of the film, the vampires find it difficult to adapt to the new zeitgeist. The reason that Marius had created Lestat was that he could not adapt to the times and he felt Lestat could help him to overcome the problems he faced attempting to take part in society. Many vampires overcome this change by sleeping over certain periods in time that they cannot understand. Marius slept through the 1950s, as he believed that with his dress sense and ideologies he would find it hard to be a part of society at that point in time. Lestat is awoken from his sleep only when he realises that he has arrived within a time in which he feels he can adapt through music. Akasha (the queen of the damned) does not feel that it is necessary to adapt to the current zeitgeist when she is awoken by the music of Lestat. She is vampire royalty and feels that she can bring vampires out of the shadows and allow them to rule the world as they did in ancient times. This then leads to a problem for human and vampire kind alike, as she believes that she may drain all who she wishes and rule the earth once more. However, as this is not a major issue in any part of society it is in my belief that this movie has been made purely for entertainment purposes and attempted to create a vampire film that is to be enjoyed and remembered by the current generation, as others (such as Nosferatu) have been for other generations.
The composer of this text felt that vampires, like humans could be good or evil. The storyline of the text helps to show this by displaying Akasha as evil through her murderous ways and ideas on destroying the human race. But it is shown that vampires can also be good by showing that there are vampires that are willing to fight Akasha for what is good and to save the human race. This is also shown through the characterisation of the different vampires. The ancients (and therefore good) vampires who are willing to fight Akasha (such as Marius, Maharet, and Khayman) are dressed in light shades of colours such as whites, reds, and shades of gold. Whilst a direct contrast to this is the characterisation of new (and therefore evil) vampires who are most commonly dressed in black clothing with dark coats, gothic make-up and white eyes. Often they are portrayed as ‘Euro trash’ with overly dramatised clothing and make-up.
The composer uses horror and violence to communicate the chosen themes. This instils the effect of shock and fear into the responders. This fear is what causes the audience to be entertained by the film, and what appeals to a contemporary audience.
This text conforms to the popular conventions of the horror genre. It contains an improbable series of events, such as those of the uprising of Akasha and a popular rock star being a vampire, that begin in an ordinary situation. Another characteristic of the horror genre used are Main characters whom we can understand and identify with such as Jesse, who represents the ‘everyman’, who is simply trying to uncover her past. Ideas of the horror genre also include that lives depend on the success of the protagonist. This aspect is shown through Lestat needing to stop Akasha before it is too late and she destroys the human race. The idea of frightening and unexpected incidents occurring is one that is evident throughout the entire film. Violence is also a major aspect of this text, which has been deliberately placed within the text to conform to the conventions of the horror genre.
These elements are most clearly shown in the scene that takes place in the home of Lestat.
The ideas at the base of Queen of the Damned are those of the original vampire myth and prior vampire texts that have been appropriated and changed by the composers to create a film that although is individual takes on the form of the vampire myth.
Bibliography: “Queen Of The Damned” © 2001 Village Roadshow Pictures
Directed by: Michael Rhymer
Starring: Stuart Townsend, Aaliyah, and Marguerite Moreau
“A Few Thoughts on the Horror Genre”
http://web.utk.edu/~wrobinso/590_lec_horror.html
William C. Robinson, Associate Professor
School of Information Sciences, University of Tennessee