Fear(s) of the Dark
2008 ‘Peur(s) du noir’ Directed by Blutch, Charles Burns …
Synopsis
Several scary black-and-white animated segments in different styles appeal to our fear(s) of the dark.
Cast
Gil Alma Aure Atika François Creton Guillaume Depardieu Sarah-Laure Estragnat Nicolas Feroumont Nicole Garcia Arthur H. Christian Hecq Christian Hincker Lino Hincker Melaura Honnay Amélie Lerma Florence Maury Adriana Piasek-Wanski Louisa Pili Amaury Smets Brigitte Sy Laurent Van den Rest Charlotte Vermeil
Popular reviews
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Film #17 in The June Challenge
I was incredibly disappointed by this film. An animated horror anthology seems like it could contain some visually awesome horror concepts. Instead, Fear(s) of the Dark misses the opportunity for some really original ideas and provides no reason for the animated format. Each of the stories could have been easily told in live action, and except for a few moments, there is very little that is interesting to look at. It may be because of the film's flash-like animation style, however I have seen this animation style done well in other films. I will admit that the final short had some very interesting lighting concepts and tells its story in a way that did benefit from the format, however it ends very abruptly and offers very little substance. More than anything, this is a film that lacks substance and creativity, with a couple of forgettable sections and uninteresting animation.
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Really liked this one...the shorts aren't scary, but many of them are eerie, particularly the last one where a man has to take shelter from a storm in an isolated house where the owners don't seem to be home. It makes you aware that animators are able to strictly control what is shown to you in any frame, and here the animator uses it to top notch effect, often only showing you dots or slivers of lighted areas at a time.
There was also a haunting monster story in the middle where a boy suspects his friend is a monster, though I'm not sure I thoroughly understood.
The Charles Burn story is very similar to his Black Hole comic, where…
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Fear(s) of the Dark is a French anthology of black and white animated horror short films.
Each of the shorts uses a different art animation style, and if you have seen anything like Halo Legends in the past, you will know what you are in for. Much like other film anthologies, the shorts vary in quality.
The film begins with a traditionally animated short that was reminiscent of the animation style of Fantastic Planet – a fantastic, surreal French Science Fiction animated feature.
After this short (which turns out to be interspersed between the other shorts) is a bizarre sequence akin to watching a Saul Bass styled credits sequence while a neurotic French woman recites all she is, was, and…
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Artsy horror that at times was a little too artsy for me. Yes, I realize the irony of me not fully enjoying a hand drawn movie based on the fact that it's too "artsy".
However, there were some standout stories good enough to warrant a rewatch
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Although none are especially scary, all of the monochrome animated French shorts in this collection are interesting and worthy of attention. Nothing within that particularly stands out as amazing but I like the differing visual styles, particularly the very minimalist final piece and was never bored.
Recent reviews
More-
Film #17 in The June Challenge
I was incredibly disappointed by this film. An animated horror anthology seems like it could contain some visually awesome horror concepts. Instead, Fear(s) of the Dark misses the opportunity for some really original ideas and provides no reason for the animated format. Each of the stories could have been easily told in live action, and except for a few moments, there is very little that is interesting to look at. It may be because of the film's flash-like animation style, however I have seen this animation style done well in other films. I will admit that the final short had some very interesting lighting concepts and tells its story in a way that did benefit from the format, however it ends very abruptly and offers very little substance. More than anything, this is a film that lacks substance and creativity, with a couple of forgettable sections and uninteresting animation.
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Really weird french animated horror film. Weaker than the sum of its parts - it contained 2 genuinely scary stories (one involving bugs and the incredible final story) and some beautiful use of black and white.
Really worth it just to see the animation - some of which is incredible
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A visually appetizing, intriguing French black and white animated horror story collection that has some of the most original animation I have ever seen. And for a twisted reason, it kind of turns me on.
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Really liked this one...the shorts aren't scary, but many of them are eerie, particularly the last one where a man has to take shelter from a storm in an isolated house where the owners don't seem to be home. It makes you aware that animators are able to strictly control what is shown to you in any frame, and here the animator uses it to top notch effect, often only showing you dots or slivers of lighted areas at a time.
There was also a haunting monster story in the middle where a boy suspects his friend is a monster, though I'm not sure I thoroughly understood.
The Charles Burn story is very similar to his Black Hole comic, where…
-
Fear(s) of the Dark is a French anthology of black and white animated horror short films.
Each of the shorts uses a different art animation style, and if you have seen anything like Halo Legends in the past, you will know what you are in for. Much like other film anthologies, the shorts vary in quality.
The film begins with a traditionally animated short that was reminiscent of the animation style of Fantastic Planet – a fantastic, surreal French Science Fiction animated feature.
After this short (which turns out to be interspersed between the other shorts) is a bizarre sequence akin to watching a Saul Bass styled credits sequence while a neurotic French woman recites all she is, was, and…
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Decent watch but nothing special.
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Artsy horror that at times was a little too artsy for me. Yes, I realize the irony of me not fully enjoying a hand drawn movie based on the fact that it's too "artsy".
However, there were some standout stories good enough to warrant a rewatch
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3.5 is an overall average rating from a girl who is not particularly fond of animation films.
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A bit of a mixed bag, like all anthology films, but tends to fall towards the failure side more often than not. Mainly that's because some of the animated segments are edited and played in pieces throughout the movie, for no discernible reason. It means one story you don't realize is over until the credits end, and another ends in the middle of the credits. It loses a lot of power because of that, but it still has moments. The opening credits are so catchy I've rewatched them several times.