The Face of Cult

Cult movies and the power of the close-up
by Mike Miley  posted June 27, 2011
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A lot of ink has been spilled trying to arrive at an all-encompassing definition of a cult film. Rather than relying on words, “The Face of Cult” uses clips from more than 40 cult classics to propose that the essence of a cult film can be found in the unique, spiritual power of its close-ups. The elements of a cult classic may be closer to home than we’d like to admit. All this time that we’ve been seeking out cult movies to explore the outer depths of human experience, we’ve actually been staring at a reflection of our deepest selves.


 

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KEYWORDS

video essay  |  cult film

THE AUTHOR

Mike Miley teaches Film Studies and Literature at Flintridge Preparatory School and is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans and the American Film Institute Conservatory. His film criticism has appeared in Bright Lights Film Journal, Film International, the New Orleans Review, and Scope.

More articles by Mike Miley