Pupi Avati's
The House With Laughing Windows is an interesting breed of giallo. At the time of its initial release, the giallo 'genre' (movement, cycle - whichever you prefer) was getting more and more outlandish. Gorier deaths and more flashes of boobies. Avati took a much more reserved and classy approach despite this (the same can be said for his zombie flick,
Zeder).
But one of the most interesting differences is the film's setting. You could even say that a convention of the giallo film was it's location of a busy, lively, swinging location. From the hussle-bussle of New York City to the high-class super stylish fashion/model agencies that the majority of gialli is set in.
(If you haven't, I'd highly recommend reading this brilliant book about these films -
La Dolce Morte: Vernacular Cinema and the Italian Giallo Film: Amazon.co.uk: Mikel J. Koven: Books)
But
The House With Laughing Windows does something completely different that only a few giallo's did, including Fulci's
Don't Torture A Duckling (also out from Shameless), which was to set it in a rural location. A tiny, creepy backwards community. Nobody can be trusted!
So, what are your favourite Remote Rural Horror/Thriller films? From Hammer to
The Wickerman or even going right back to HGL's
2,000 Maniacs! What are your favourites?
And what are the best rural giallo films? Share your knowledge and wisdom here!