“Long live the new flesh!”Welcome to Harbour Highlights, a series of cult and classic favourites, handpicked by the staff of Harbour Lights. This month, Chloe breaks through underground broadcast signals and finds David Cronenberg’s Videodrome.
The first American studio film from Cronenberg, the psychosexual body horror announced his style to the masses – although it flopped on its original release. Starring James Woods as the manager of a small TV station, the film follows his character as he discovers a hidden transmission of real-life violence and death. His efforts to find the source involve a sadomasochistic radio host (Blondie’s Debbie Harry), disturbing hallucinations, VCR transplants and the weaponisation of television against the masses.
Coming off the success of his Canadian horror Scanners, Cronenberg turned down the chance to direct Return of the Jedi to make Videodrome and, regardless of the difference in commercial success at the time, the decision helped forge his career into being one of the most unique voices in contemporary cinema. Exploring the nature of sex and violence in the media, with all the subversive and surreal imagery you’d expect from a Cronenberg film – including the iconic, undulating lips TV – Videodrome has become a true cult classic.
Event Venue
Harbour Lights, Ocean Village,Southampton, United Kingdom
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