Current Forum: Session 9: Horror and Race	Read 16 times 	
Date: 19-Mar-2001 13:21:21	
Author: QUIST, ROBERT W. <rwq1015@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>	
Subject: King Kong as Sci Fi	
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       King Kong exposes racial/class issues that were apart of American 1930s culture. This film represents a continuation of the science fiction genre dating back to Trip to the Moon, and as a genre piece it diverts public attention from current social problems as Wright’s article discusses. King Kong provides a Frankenstein theme because the narrative portrays an out of control monster that serves as a destructive force in society. The filmmakers achieved this primarily with special effects. Indeed, film itself may be considered a special effect because it relies on critical flicker fusion to portray the illusion of movement. In other words, special effects are an inherent element of film rather than an added feature. King Kong uses models to give the illusion of the gigantic size of the gorilla, therefore, creating a sense of horror. 
       I would consider this film to be science fiction because it depicts man’s manipulation of nature and the disastrous results. This film shows that it is impossible to tame the monstrous elements of nature. Kong is brought back to New York but cannot cope with the glitter of flashing lights and goes on a rampage. If this were a metaphor race class or gender,(as Omi and Winant conclude these categories cannot be easily disentangled) then the film underscores the essentialist views of these categories. The camera zooms in on Ann’s terrified face when she is offered as a sacrifice to Kong, which gives the audience an image of the woman in need of being saved. Even though Ann wants to be independent, the film shows her real nature as being vulnerable to the negative aspects of nature and culture. The film portrays Ann as being a more valuable item than the native women because she is white and hence more “pure.” Ann is also 
starving at the beginning of the film and is therefore unable to function by herself.
       If Kong were likened to class and race it would show the lower classes as destructive and unable to adapt to the modern world. The modern bourgeoisies attempt to domesticate the older Kong/proletariat/black culture and in this light are portrayed as the “good guys.” As spectators, we relate to the modern bourgeoisies because the camera shots and editing relates the narrative from their perspective. We are not shown existing in the native culture but as outsiders 
viewing the culture from within. But once we get to New York we are within our native culture as the camera shots do not show this city from an outsider’s point of view.