Let’s be honest, we—humans and zombies alike—would all run to a mall as soon as the apocalypse started. But why? In George A. Romero's 1978 zombie film Dawn of the Dead, the heroes take shelter at the mall. After arriving, Francine (Gaylen Ross) asks what the zombies are doing there. Stephen (David Emge) coolly states, “[It’s] some kind of instinct... a memory. What they used to do. This was an important place in their lives.” This zombie apocalypse masterpiece is Romero's social commentary on American consumer culture. As the zombies shuffle aimlessly through the mall, audiences can see that the zombies find comfort in devouring consumerism. But Romero’s commentary doesn’t end there. If you're thinking, “I’m not like that. I would never become a zombie of consumerism,” well... maybe that wasn't even the message Romero was trying to send. Granted, you probably don't see yourself reflected in the decaying face of the undead; you probably related to the survivors seeking shelter. And that's exactly the director's point. Read More...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Tuesday, 27 October, 2020