Within fantasy, the worlds in the stories are different. They are either based in the past, i.e. medieval times or in the modern world, however there is some form of magical element in them, like magic and magical creatures, such as trolls, unicorns, fairies etc.
(Image of a unicorn)
There are a couple of films that have themes of dark fantasy, such as Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), Pan's Labyrinth (2006) and Edward Scissorhands (1990) . Even though they might be categorised seperately under horror or fantasy, they all have the magical elements from the fantasy genre, but also include horror themes from the horror genre, which also categorises them in the dark fantasy genre.
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
This film is an adaptation to the Brothers Grimm story, Snow White. Many people associate Snow White's to the character portrayed in Disney's version, however the one written by the Brother's Grimm is a much sinister tale. In this particular film, Queen Ravenna, needs the life force of young maidens to maintain her beauty. She discovers that the only way to become immortal is to consume the heart of her stepdaughter Snow White. Snow is able to get away and makes allies to help her defeat the queen, and take back the kingdom.
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)
Another adaptation is Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, this is an adaptation of the story Hansel and Gretel, written by the Brother's Grimm. This story was originally about a brother and sister who are abandoned in the woods by their father and come across a house made from candy. The house is owned by a witch, that eats children and she uses her house to lure children in. She is able to convoke Hansel and Gretel to come inside and fattens them up by feeding them sweets. She then tries to put them in the oven, however great is able to push the witch in and lock her in the over, her brother and herself are then able to escape. This film is a continuation of the brother and sister and follows them older, however they are now witch hunters after defeating the witch that tried to eat them when they were younger.
Both of these films were good examples to look at as they are adaptations of old tales and also have dark storylines. They both deal with death, violence and magical creatures, whether it is working alongside them or defeating them. These films have inspired me with particular aspects of the dark fantasy genre, such as the characters and the world. Even though these are both based in the past, Ive decided that the fables I will be creating will be set in modern day, to make it different to other films out there.
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