The Voyeuristic Camera of Dario Argento

Abstract

From the beginning of his career Dario Argento has exhibited an unmistakable visual style. The filmmaker opts for first-person perspectives, zooming lenses, and fluid tracking shots rather than traditional cinematic language. The films he wrote and directed featured varying degrees of murder and violence, many times directed toward women. The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, The Cat O'Nine Tails, Tenebrae and Opera are analyzed to explore Argento's specific violence. Through my research I argue that Argento's camera is operating to elicit a visceral response from the audience. For instance, using the camera to stalk victims in these particular films or indulging the audience with their base desires: vulnerable naked women. My research has interesting results as this statement is not quite true. Instead, my findings indicate that Argento is aware of these criticisms but continues to create controversial material to begin a conversation. The conversation between the camera and audience results with the filmmaker using cinematic language to do so. The language implicates his viewers as the true voyeur and the cause for the graphic violence seen in these films.