This week in Popular Culture studies, I examined an artefact that I wanted to talk more about here. Pop Culture is dependent on a shared belief or idea, so it makes sense for a community to form based on mutual appreciation for a film. Cult classic movies allow diversity to be brought to the centre of a shared experience. The atmosphere of sitting in a decades-old theatre, throwing rice, pieces of toast and cards into the air at certain points of a film is as unique as the quirky films the actions are synced to themselves. When the entire audience runs into the aisles to join in the dance for “Greased Lightnin’ “, “Shake Your Tail Feather” or “The Time Warp” or collectively shouts out witty remarks in response to character dialogue, a sense of belonging can be felt. Cult classics are not only a tradition to many people, but also an identifier, because being a fan reveals as much about the viewer as the creators of the film.

Obvious examples of films with a cult following include Star Wars, Evil Dead 2 and Fight Club but there is even a whole subculture dedicated to film flops that are as rich in terrible acting as they are lacking in plot such as Tommy Wiseau’s The Room and the 1990 B grade horror movie Troll 2 which despite its title is not actually a sequel to the first Troll movie, and doesn’t actually contain any trolls. Cult classics allow audiences to become involved in the media perpetrating their world (such as through interactive screenings or appropriated events such as conventions) and celebrate memorable scenes and characters, comedy, unique plots, surreal ideas or laughable special effects (among other things).

I personally love viewing such films at The Astor theatre in St Kilda (which is now sadly closing down). The Astor labels itself as “a cinema in the grand, old manner” that boasts “Fine Films and Atmosphere”.  Whether it be watching the 342 minutes of the Back To The Future trilogy straight or singing along with Grease, I feel like there is no other atmosphere as unique and unifying as watching a cult classic with a theatre full of like minded movie lovers.

References:

Cult Films; filmsite.org (date not referenced). Retrieved 15-3-2015 from www.filmsite.org/cultfilms.html

15 Movies With Crazy Cult Followings; ifc.com ( 28-10-2013). Retrieved 15-3-2015  from http://www.ifc.com/fix/2013/10/15-movies-with-crazy-cult-followings

About The Astor Theatre; (date not referenced). Retrieved 23-3-2015 from http://www.astortheatre.net.au/about-the-astor