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The House

The House (1983)

A young couple moves into an old house. She teaches deaf children, he is a musician, working on his own compositions. Their separate worlds, one silent, the other full of sounds, create a vivid pattern of contrasts, which affect their emotional lives and their living together. From the time they move into the house, they are strangely aware of something odd, especially she, while he concentrates more and more upon his work. A series of incidents adds to her growing uneasiness about the house. Its past seems to creep in on her. She feels as if some tragedy must have befallen the people that lived there before, but when she starts asking around she gets few answers. There is something about the house that seems to be on the verge of overpowering her - something that in an unexpected way is related to her origins and permanently affects her life and destiny.

Directed by Egill Eðvarðsson

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Egill Eðvarðsson
Writer
  • Björn Björnsson
  • Egill Eðvarðsson
  • Snorri Þórisson

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Thematic Analysis

This Mystery/Horror/Drama/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The House presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Egill Eðvarðsson brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1983, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The House took approximately 24 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 101 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 149 minutes long.
  • The musical score contains over 42 unique compositions.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.

Historical Context

  • In 1983, when this film was released:
  • The Cold War was entering its final phase.
  • Personal computers were beginning to transform homes and workplaces.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

While The House shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Paranormal Psychic: Possession, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The House offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.

While films like House and The Vigil explore similar territory, The House stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: March 12, 1983
  • Runtime: 1h 41m

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