Circus of freaks. Firstly, it's beautiful

Funny skeletons, toothy clowns and three -legged women appear on the screen under the usual monotonous rhythm. The very opening scene “ Freak Show ” -“ Frick Show ”, the first series of which from October 9 is available for viewing on the site“ Amediatek ” . All these deliberately terrible dolls look very tile, reminiscent of the cartoon of Tim Burton "Nightmare before Christmas." But in reality, “American Horror Story” is still true to its traditions. Just the opening scene of each season conveys its atmosphere. For a damned house with a bad past, there is a torn cut from children's photographs, murder guns and reinforced embryos, for the insanity hospital - torment and convulsions, for the witch carpet - cold and exquisite silhouettes in wide -brimmed hats, as if taken from a photo shoot for gloss, and leisurely swallowing a snake. The fourth season of the collection of selected American horrors is dedicated to the Circus of freaks, and the action takes place in the 1950s. Hence the puppet retro-gorotesk in the opening stage. Another tradition is also preserved-a good dozen actors from previous seasons was invited to the FRC-Show.

In general, the “Circus of Freaks” is a plot with an venerable past, very popular in the United States and has repeatedly appeared in various books and films. You can recall at least the wandering circus from the HBO Carnival series ( Carnivàle , 2003-2005) or the circus in the film not accidentally mentioned above Berton “Big Fish” ( Big Fish " , 1997). Interestingly, one of the key figures of the American Horror History, Jessica Lang, who appears in a form of Marlene Dietrich - German actress Kabaret named Elsa Mars in the new season, also starred in large fish.

“American History History”, without shame and conscience, exploits the good old coolrophobia, which has firmly settled in the minds of the audience since the adaptation of the book of Stephen King “It”.

But the main source of inspiration for the creators of the fourth season of “American Horror History” was undoubtedly the famous film of 1932 “Freaks” (“Freaks” (“ Freaks ”) , where the real actors of the then freak show were shot. The composition of the circus participants, their appearance and outfits reproduce the composition of the circus troupe from the “freaks” - sometimes almost unchanged. Siamese twins Bett and Dot Tatler performed by Sarah Polson, who had already appeared in the “American Horror History”, resemble Siamese Gemini Daisy and Violet Hilton. Microcephalous salt and pepper are created in the image and likeness of the famous Schlite . And with Daisy Erls, the dwarf Ma Ber (French is “my baby”), which is played by the truly tiny Indian Yoti Amge, suffering from Achondroplasia, correlates. The character devoid of the body, nicknamed Half-Boy (Johnny EKU), corresponds to the non-bore Susie. The list of parallels can be continued-a bearded woman similar to the costume of “ku-ku, a girl-girl” an outfit of a little man who tears her heads to the birds ... When one of the Siamese sisters says that she believes that her inseparable companion really likes when she masturbates, this again reminds of “hoars”, where both sisters feel someone's touches and kisses intended Only for one of them.

Scene from the film "Frequent" (1932)

At the same time, the similarity with the “freaks” can hardly be considered purely decorative. At least, the first episode of the new season quite shares one of the ideas of the old horror film - real criminals may not be at all causing an “freaks” from the townsfolk. The name of the series, “Monsters among us” hints at this. Maybe that's why none of the wards of Elsa Mars causes special fear, they rather inspire sympathy.

But do not think to relax and do not flatter yourself with cute opening titles. If you suffer from the fear of clowns, at night the first episode of the fourth season is better not to watch. Not one of the artists of the Circus of freaks, but a completely different character, the sweetest clown of tweet (almost stream from the Simpsons), is responsible for bringing the audience to a heart attack. His make -up itself provides twe over the place of honor in the gallery of the most terrible clowns of all time. And under combat coloring, apparently, a completely irresistible appearance is hidden. This good man is constantly practiced in its stage skills in front of an ungrateful audience, and is also very touching on the carousel.

“Circus of freaks” is a plot with an venerable past, very popular in the USA and has repeatedly appeared in various books and films.

“American History of Horrors” without shame and conscience exploits the good old coolrophobia, which has firmly settled in the minds of the audience since the film adaptation of Stephen King’s book “It”, where Clown Pennyiz appeared (there are a variety of “killer clowns”, “Fear of clowns”, “Clowns' House”, “Sick” , “Clown”, “Good Clown” Dead clown ” - Name to them Legion). The viewer will also meet other classic stamps, familiar to us, for example, according to Silenth Hill-2: they creak ominously in the wind and rotate without visitors, flickering with lights, a carousel and a review wheel. On the other hand, how to do without a clown and a carousel in a season, whose name “Frick show”? In addition, the spectators began to intimidate the clowns even before the release of the first series, in teasers:

An extraordinary appearance is endowed with another character, which is not in the first series - he should appear closer to Halloween. This is the legendary Edward Mordrack ; He, like some old dolls, had two faces at once. The second, “demonic” face was located on the back of the nurse and did not give him rest.

Despite the desire to recreate the atmosphere of a real wandering circus of freaks of the 1950s, in the fourth season it is not complete without conscious postmodernism. Elsa Mars performs David Bowie's song “ Life on Mars ” - Moreover, according to the fair remark of her opponent, she sings unbearably. This is not an innovation for the “American Horror History” - in the second season, again, the heroine of Jessica Lang sang “The Name Game” . However, now the choice of a song with the words " I t's the Freakiest Show" looks especially successful. On " Life on Mars ” is hinted at the surname of Elsa - Mars. You can also see a peculiar astrological connection between Mars and Jupiter - this is the name of the town in Florida, where the new season takes place.

The first series clearly does not yet reveal all the cards and is designed only to wake up the viewer's appetite. But even if you reproach the “freak show” that, in terms of horrors, it does not yet reach the plank specified by previous seasons, then in any case it can be called almost flawless, and therefore unconditionally deserves attention. At the same time, look (or revise) the “freaks” of 1932 - it is worth it.