cult film cult film commonly referred cult classic film acquired cult following cult films known dedicated passionate fanbase elaborate engage repeated quoting dialogue audience participation inclusive definitions allow major studio productions especially box office bombs exclusive definitions focus obscure films mainstream difficulty defining term cult film mirror disputes art term cult film 1970s describe culture surrounded underground films midnight movies cult common use film analysis decades prior cult films trace origin controversial suppressed films kept alive dedicated fans cases reclaimed rediscovered films acquired cult decades original release occasionally camp value cult films respected classics debate popular accepted films cult films failing cinema cult films regular fixtures cable television profitable sellers home video inspired film festivals cult films appeal specific form media reference cult films easily identify demographics desire attract offer fans opportunity demonstrate knowledge cult films frequently break cultural feature excessive displays violence gore sexuality profanity combinations thereof lead controversy censorship outright films attract similar amounts controversy critics incompetent films fail attract amounts controversy face resistance labeled cult films mainstream films big budget attracted cult similar underground lesser known films fans films emphasize films niche appeal reject popular aspects fans like films wrong reasons perceived elements represent mainstream appeal marketing ridiculed likewise fans stray accepted scripts experience similar rejection late 1970s cult films increasingly popular films limited obscure cult capable breaking mainstream cult films proved profitable business venture usage term resulted controversy state meaningless applied film bit weird unconventional accuse hollywood studios trying artificially create cult films use term marketing tactic films frequently stated instant cult classic occasionally released fans internet unreleased films abandon later release time films acquired massive quick cult thanks spreading social media easy access cult films video demand peer peer file sharing led critics death cult films definition cult film film cult following term easily defined applied wide variety films definition occasionally expanded exclude films released major studios big budgets try specifically cult films accepted mainstream audiences critics cult films defined audience reaction content form elaborate audience participation film festivals time definition vague inclusive away earlier views increasing use term mainstream publications resulted controversy argue term meaningless elastic slightly strange academic criticized term weak concept reliant different groups interpret films terms according feminist scholar causes films strong female cult perceived mainstream qualify cult film academic says cult films studied group criticizes cultural asked range academics definition cult film people defined cult films primarily terms opposition mainstream films explicitly requiring element disputed potential given demographic appeal white males cult films instead called mainstream films elements definitions required strong community aspect obsessed fans behavior citing term took self described hard line stance rejected definitions use criteria instead stressed need open ended definition rooted film audience reaction focused accidental nature cult arguing cult film fans consider marketed rejected continued existence cult films called term marketing suggests cult films help understand ambiguity life given difficulty defining term cult films opposing qualities good bad failure success innovative retro helps illustrate art self evident ambiguity leads critics accuse cult films criticism emphasis personal interpretation critical analysis inherent lead audiences split ironic earnest fans writing defining cult movies quote academic defines cult films terms marginal films exist outside critical cultural acceptance exploitation beach party musicals pornography reject cult films having single feature instead state cult films united ideology opposition mainstream tastes vague term cult range contempt little common celebration bad films ridiculed fans albeit unintentionally time state masculine tastes frequently reinforced makes cult films internal conflict rebellion results anti academic bias despite use formal contradiction exists especially dependent defining terms opposition mainstream eventually opted dominant forces hollywood marketed mainstream academic defines cult films opposing mainstream proposes films cult virtue genre content especially rejection mainstream appeal says cult films creative political times relative political instability produce interesting films general overview cult films existed early days cinema film critic traces 1910s france reception described dissent popular ritual unauthorized adaptation widow sued production company drove bankruptcy known copies film destroyed early cult film kept alive cult following circulated illegal academic identifies making early cult films original release highly regarded classics golden age hollywood panned critics audiences relegated cult status night hunter cult film years quoted championed fans important influential classic time american exploitation films imported european art films marketed similarly critics argued arbitrary divisions high low culture american films settled rigid genres european art films continued push boundaries simple definitions art films artistic exploitation films influence american cult films like later cult films early exploitation films encouraged audience participation influenced live theater modern cult films grew 1960s underground films popular rejected mainstream hollywood films underground film festivals led creation midnight movies attracted cult term cult film movement 1970s cult use decades film analysis positive negative films concerned cultural significance social justice sought earlier avant garde films midnight movies popular mainstream peaking release finally found audience years release eventually rise home video midnight movies directors joined burgeoning independent film scene went underground home video second life box office positive word mouth excessive replay cable television led films develop audience obsessive replay study example despite failure box office played movies american cable television developed cult film home video television broadcasts cult films initially greeted hostility states seen turning cult films mainstream effect opening distracted passive audiences releases major studios distributed universal_studios cult films fail box office develop cult following midnight movies festivals home video hollywood films nature likely attract kind attention leads effect cult culture major studios financially unsuccessful films released multiple times plays trend capture audiences constant use profanity drugs mainstream hollywood films critics audiences lead large cult following open minded demographics associated cult films wall street professional soldiers comparatively mainstream films satisfy traditional demands cult film perceived fans niche discussing reputation making cult films bollywood director said didn set cult films wanted box office hits writing academics state acceptance mainstream culture character cult audiences complex relationship concepts opposed mainstream values excessive global context popularity vary widely territory especially regard limited releases international hit america obscure cult favorite ignored critics available years dubbed version earned internationally foreign cinema different spin popular genres japanese horror initially cult favorite america asian imports west marketed exotic cult films national identity academic criticizes foreign influence affect fan response especially genres tied national identity global scope questions authenticity arise filmmakers films ignored country objects cult producing reactions native country cult films establish early viability mainstream films filmmakers national cinema early cult horror films strongly associated homeland affected international reputation new_zealand cinema artistic films emerged new_zealand perceived legitimate competitor hollywood mirrored jackson career trajectory acquired cult following new_zealand national identity paved way big budget hollywood style jackson lord rings trilogy states cult films frequently involve elements time time management fans watch films activity viewed mainstream time seen resisting leisure time watch films sped slowed frequently odd hours cult films traditional views time time travel non linear narratives ambiguous establishments time popular identifies specific cult film viewing habits viewing horror films halloween sentimental melodrama christmas romantic films valentine day films viewed fans gorge favorites states cult films broadcast christmas nostalgic factor films watched season sense community shared nostalgia viewers new films trouble making institutions wonderful life miracle 34th street films provide mild criticism encouraging family values halloween hand allows society testing fears horror films appropriated holiday horror films debut halloween criticizes nature halloween horror films feed halloween turned image product real community states halloween horror conventions provide missing community aspect despite nature cult films produce celebrities like cult films authenticity important aspect popularity actors strongly associated iconic roles despite acknowledged range actor found casting difficult achieved fame discussing unrelated projects frequently bring role causes tire discussing known roles cult films eventually transitioned mainstream films expected recreate elements cult films confines mainstream cinema instead complex gender films lesbian woman starring found highly associated film sexual liberation 1970s caught elements cult film mainstream appeal soft core pornography unable work exploitation films sequels despite immense popularity cult following rate histories european cinema mentioned similarly struggled reputation cult independent film star famous daring roles films cult films trap directors directed directed film despite cult following included unable find financing qualities bring cult films prominence unorthodox vision caused obscurity years censorship films distinct artistic movement began 1970s genre drew inspiration equally european art cinema experimental film gritty subject matter italian shocking images 1960s exploitation hardcore pornography horror occasionally time 1980s filmmaker identified movement later wrote manifesto popular midnight mainly limited large urban areas led academic label downtown culture films acquired legendary reputation discussed debated alternative village_voice home video finally allow general audiences gave people taste underground film says cult films disrupt viewer expectations giving characters motivations focusing attention elements outside film cult films national stereotypes genre conventions broke rules teenage films reverse films based cult properties lose edge result rejection fans audience participation breaking long standing talking films throwing things screen according critical reception important film perception cult controversy regional objection government funding film critical philosophical objections themes enables attention response cultural topics film relevant lead controversy moral panic provides opposition cultural values film sexual attacked attacks film concerns vary culture culture need similar says film simply culturally important referencing previous arguments critics attack choice genre right exist taking varied issues critics assure relevance helping elevate film cult status perceived racist remarks critics rally fans raise profile cult films example comments korean culture review critics audiences lead debates roger_ebert spit grave later contribute commentary track dvd release describes feminist film films attract controversy ridiculed rejected suggested cult films academic noting definitions cult film require elements states cult films known subject matter depiction portrayed extreme ways break good taste aesthetic norms violence gore sexual music pushed stylistic excess far allowed mainstream cinema film censorship films obscure difficult find common criteria define cult films despite films remain known prized collectors fans occasionally express frustration dismissive critics conventional analysis believe marketing films young men predominantly targeted horror films particular draw fans seek extreme films audiences ironically offensive themes films things hate life elements pushed excessive extremes humor satire faced censorship ridicule found acceptance audiences receptive themes hollywood reluctant touch violence drug addiction sees films political statements populist authentic mainstream films celebrities despite featuring abundance fake blood films attracted positive attention critics academics excess exist camp films highlight 1980s fashion films influenced unpopular styles genres cult films director worked unpopular genre modern france influenced american films early french drifted art exploitation pornography films critics retained cult following drawn nudity similarly fascist censorship spain influential spain horror boom 1960s films line art horror overlapping cult interpretation reasons films followed unique rejection mainstream art popular fans european horror obscurity later spanish films allowed political criticize fascist regime exploitation horror unlike exploitation directors trying establish reputation established art house world intentionally chose work reaction new spanish cinema artistic revival supported late 1980s critics cited anti rebellion fascist grew rebel mainstream elements limit director appeal country celebrated highlighted marketed west shocking avant garde filmmaker despite family friendly comedies imported nature cult films lead censorship 1970s early 1980s wave explicit graphic exploitation films caused controversy called video ignited calls censorship laws home video releases largely consequently banned popular cult films issues sex violence crime released boom banned dozens countries caused director briefly jailed fears real film opposed censorship director later agree cuts removed animal killings limited film distribution frequently banned films introduce questions authenticity fans question seen truly cut cult films falsely claimed banned increase reputation explain lack mainstream penetration marketing campaigns claims raise interest curious audiences home video allowed cult film fans import rare banned films finally giving chance complete collection imports cult films previously banned released fanfare fans assumed familiar controversy personal responsibility highlighted strong anti censorship message present previously lost scenes cut studios added restore director original vision draws similar fanfare acclaim fans imports censored remove elements controversial references islamic spirituality indonesian cult films academics written themes cult films describe celebration themes cult films including racism church criticized descriptions content celebrate identifies component celebration themes cult films male terms describe films outside mainstream female terms describe mainstream cinema read expansion states cult films despite potential empowerment politically incorrect males feminism seek refuge academic acceptance progressive ideals playful ironic acceptance culture invites condemnation academics cult films tool reinforce mainstream values content states cultural reaffirmed films perceived lacking films took feminist approach avoids male gaze traditional goal oriented methods subject matter framed terms female empowerment feminine spectator use common cult film motifs female nudity ambiguous gender comment feminist topics similarly films complicated combination mainstream progressive elements attracted acclaim critics films imported cultures different progressively examine issues culture appeal cult films help define create groups form capital knowledge cult films proves authentic non mainstream provoke outraged response mainstream defines members possibly tolerate entertainment accessible films capital banned films referencing cult films media identify desired demographics strengthen bonds specific stand understand popular films previous eras reclaimed genre fans long forgotten original audiences authenticity horror fans seek obscure titles 1950s instead modern known remakes authenticity drive fans deny genre films perceived mainstream accessible authenticity performance expertise drive fan acclaim authenticity drive fans mainstream form hostile critics especially promoted enthusiastic programmers choice venue important expressing creating new communities cult films link disparate groups fans critics groups influence resisted older fans unfamiliar new references extreme cases cult films lead creation religions avoidance mainstream culture audiences enjoyment irony celebration obscure academic compares cult film fans film object cult following particular region culture unusual significance example films friendly interpretation amassed cult following albania western films allowed country communist rulers star hold special significance american british gay culture widely viewed historically important film greater american culture similarly brief film career icons alienated youth cult films niche appeal popular certain beach party musicals popular american failed find equivalent audience imported united_kingdom films target like proper cultural capital films appeal teenagers offer identities easily recognized differentiate groups films appeal stereotypical male activities sports easily gain strong male cult sports metaphors marketing cult films males emphasizing extreme nature film increases appeal youth fond extreme sports concept cult blockbuster involves cult inside larger mainstream films big budget mainstream films attract cult cult fans differentiate ordinary fans ways longstanding devotion film distinctive interpretations fan works hills identifies different cult lord rings separate mainstream academic identifies future example cult blockbuster film topped charts released developed nostalgic cult following years acting dialogue draw cult following mimic traditional cult films blockbuster science fiction films include philosophical matrix allow cult film fans enjoy higher level mainstream star wars large cult following geek cited cult blockbuster cult film mainstream epic star wars provided fans spirituality culture outside mainstream fans response popularity claim elements rejecting example star wars film series mainstream criticism focused racial cult film fans use bolster arguments rejected represents mainstream appeal marketing instead rarity fans cult value repeat engage behaviors traditional fans cult television serial media cult film series reduce mainstream accessibility film series self jokes longtime fans understand cult films create originally exploit popularity glam academic called sub variant parent described primarily composed obsessed fans cult film include newer experienced members familiar film reputation having watched clips youtube fans step enter film majority alter ignore long standing traditions audience participation rituals rituals lack perceived authenticity criticized accepted rituals bring capital veteran fans introduce newer members fans knowledge receive negative reactions newer fans cite film reason attending showing longtime fans cite community organized spread popular way introducing new people film theatrical screenings privileged media process fans cult films media frequently producers instead mere consumers traditional views intellectual property fan works ignore fictional canon like cult films magazines websites dedicated cult films self conscious maintain sense mainstream audiences gore racism obsessive bore mainstream audiences building capital specialist stores fringes society websites prominently partner hardcore pornographic sites reinforce outsider nature cult film especially use erotic imagery assuming knowledge non fans excluded previous articles controversies alluded explanation casual readers non fans left discussions debates lack information contribute fans like cult film wrong reasons casting characters aimed mainstream appeal ridiculed mainstream bay defining terms philosophical construct social norms commercial aspects magazines books defined terms valid consume consumers purchasing independent niche publications consumers mainstream irony self humor online communities different attracted films clash values criteria capital fans break scripts denying disturbing film ridiculed lack authenticity types bad good critic characterized examples bad good class low budget cult film books films include financially fruitless critically films comedies film plan room similarly bombed theaters developed cult following video catching metro mayer capitalized film ironic appeal marketed cult film films attract audiences turn outlets fan creativity fans impose interpretation earnest melodrama comedy states films perceived audiences avant garde filmmaking parody films weird sake people unfamiliar cult films parodies ultimately rejects use label bad good mean spirited programmer said film succeeds entertaining audience good regardless irony rise internet demand films led critics question bad good films future people diverse options availability catalog fans eager experience worst films lead lucrative local theaters camp guilty pleasures states difference guilty pleasure cult film simple number fans raises question people takes form cult following especially home video makes fans difficult count cult films popular bring varied responses fans depend different interpretations camp irony genuine affection combinations thereof earnest fans recognize accept film faults minor celebrities film cast benefits clear cult film stars known camp subtle parody signal films taken seriously actors provide comic book artistic minded films draw fan acclaim obsession readily subtle method inspired acting los_angeles_times says technical faults film makes areas camp content smith states early films influential claimed waters outrageous vision place cult cinema films valley dolls experience critical later camp excess avant garde filmmaking better accepted films initially dismissed films intentionally try appeal fans camp end films perceived trying hard authentic nostalgia according academic nostalgia strong element certain kinds cult appeal added cult films site cited nostalgia factor popularity academic describes cult films new hollywood form nostalgia period instead states cult films use nostalgia form resistance progress ideas time based economy virtue time travel plot future permits nostalgia 1950s 1980s members nostalgic cult following young alive periods interprets fondness retro aesthetics nostalgia saw film released looking past find better time period similarly films directed taken hold midnight movie venues trading nostalgia 1980s ironic appreciation optimism film nostalgic imagined past acquired nostalgic cult following cult films streets fire create new fictional world based nostalgic views past cult films nostalgia introduces nostalgic elements reveals fake hollow author praises use satire avoidance falling nostalgia identifies retro aesthetic nostalgic factors popularity midnight movie crowds midnight movies author describes midnight movies reaction political cultural america identifies movement running united anti establishment attitude punk aesthetic films resistant simple defined behaviors audiences midnight movies require night life audience willing invest actively states films took bleak point view living conditions artists economic prospects 1970s like attacked society structure film counter cinema narrative traditional processes late 1980s 1990s midnight movies transitioned underground home video eventually desire community brought resurgence big kick started new generation demographics shifted hip mainstream audiences drawn studios expressed skepticism large audiences drawn box office modern midnight movies retain popularity strongly mainstream films shown midnight mainstream cinemas eager negative associations increase profits begun abandoning midnight screenings classic midnight movies dropped popularity bring reliable crowds art exploitation seemingly odds art exploitation films frequently treated equal cult listed alongside described similar terms ability provoke response aspects art films played academic recognition ignored culture follows popularity post rejects hierarchy artistic merit exploitation art state cult films synonymous exploitation occasionally assumed key component write exploitation exists fringes mainstream deals taboo subjects suited cult academic writes cult films youth oriented populist openly pornographic area films abandon morality technically proficient gain cult following persistent vision saw received worthy academic study director attributes ability create complicated sexually charged films explicit sex described exploitation films coarse camp perfect fodder cult following sick films disturbing films distinct cult following films roots exploitation horror art films 1960s 1970s america exploitation art films shared audiences marketing especially new_york_city cinemas genre films state genre important cult films cult films mix mock associated traditional genres science fiction fantasy horror known large dedicated cult science fiction films popular fans emphasize non mainstream commercial aspects films exploitation important cult films exploitation states cult films realistic goal malta burgeoning film industry genre films films strictly adhere genre limitations appeal cult film fans given horror films likely cult films films like galaxy quest highlight importance cult science fiction authentic martial arts skills hong_kong action films drive cult favorites cult musicals range traditional rain appeal cult audiences nostalgia camp spectacle non traditional parodies musicals uses rock soundtrack romantic fairy tale princess bride failed attract audiences original release studio know market freedom excitement associated cars important drawing cult film fans genre films action danger ambiguity gun week writes cult films released home video market need advertising raise curiosity nostalgia animation animation provide wide open stories french film fantastic planet explored ideas limits traditional live action science fiction films guardian identifies introducing violent adult japanese animation known anime west paving way later works anime according academic cult genre lack individual inside anime bleeding cult attention help spread works internationally anime highly provides fans alternative fictional points view drive fan activity ghost shell franchise example provided japanese fans bonus material encouraged cult tendencies markets support sale materials saw cult activity career marked controversy cat animated film rated provoked outrage racial graphic depictions sex racist recalls older animators tired kid stuff desired work younger animators hated work destroying disney images eventually work cult include developed films faced similar critics los_angeles_times cites violence sexual imagery critics know film popular midnight movie frequently fans licensing issues kept released video years documentaries called films replicate shocking elements exploitation films usually modeled sick films cover similar subject matter cult film reader academics write documentaries present non western societies mysterious seductive immoral savage interpreted racist state exhibit liberal attitude breaking cultural films like faces death mix real fake footage freely gain cult following outrage debate authenticity results like bad good cult films old propaganda government films enjoyed ironically modern audiences camp value outdated themes claims perceived social threats drug use academic states fight world war propaganda films explicitly cult proven ability persuade audience sponsored film cult hit broadcast satirical television mystery science theater cast member cited educational shorts favorite mock states cult audiences drawn films political positions unlike traditional cult films achieve popularity mainstream popularity explains rising popularity cult films attempt scholars escape oppressive mainstream appeal independent film lack critics films says chance dominance academics according academics interested cult movies sought bring academic interest film festival states easier citing mainstream availability rejects definitions cult films based controversy excess meaningless cult films influenced diverse industries music videos fashion cult films shown expected places sign popularity bronze statue proposed hometown official newspaper holy courted controversy endorsement cult films pop culture cities attempt neighborhoods fans called attempts demolish iconic settings cult films cultural vandalism cult films drive tourism unwanted far 1970s attack killer tomatoes designed specifically cult film produced 20th century fox major hollywood studio decades long release seventh highest grossing rated film adjusted inflation journalist questioned popularity cult status founded independent studio known cult following cult films 1980s cult movies influence director film critic rise home video effect cult films behavior collectors unlikely self identify cult film fans film critic began reviewing drive theater cult films faced criticism early advocate exploitation cult films highlights cult films pointing respectful cult directors received hostile publications acceptance politically incorrect films mainstream film festivals acceptance universal critics resisted beginning 1990s director greatest success turning cult films mainstream later fame champion obscure cult films influenced set short lived distributed favorite cult films led guardian world influential director major hollywood studios audiences cult films productions limited cult appeal instead popular hits cult directors hot properties known mainstream accessible films remarking popular trend cult films new_york magazine states hollywood studios hoping recreate past successes trading nostalgia popularity bring critics death cult films finally successful mainstream slick attract proper cult following lack context easily found online response says cult film fans retreated obscure difficult find films illegal distribution methods preserves outlaw status cult films virtual spaces online forums fan sites replace traditional cult film fans consider collectors consumers associate consumers mainstream hollywood audiences collecting place single film addressing concerns dvds revoked cult status films like academic states small scale screenings friends family replace midnight identifies television shows retaining traditional cult activities inside popular culture ruled television series studios reluctant chances non mainstream ideas despite capitalized cult films surrounding culture inspiration drawn retro promotional sell shows regularly acquired cult following academic writing cult pop culture states internet cult culture destroyed line cult mainstream fans obscure films communicate online vibrant communities known big budget steven_spielberg criticized current hollywood system gambling opening weekend productions independent instead suggests hollywood look capitalize cult films exploded popularity internet rise social media cult films sites twitter displaced traditional venues courted controversy cultural critics cult films clip films went viral director producer distribution deal youtube found footage originally distributed cult vhs collections eventually went viral youtube opened new generations fans films room gained quick massive popularity prominent members social networking sites discussed rise instant cult classics bypasses years obscurity cult films labor response critics described use viral marketing attempt manufacture cult films identifies cult film style includes deliberately insulting bad films slick exercises mainstream films sell worth writing npr states previous films attracted cult drifted realm criticizes trying hard appeal cult audiences sacrificing internal consistency calculated influenced successful online hype films attempted draw online cult use cult appeal snakes plane example attracted massive attention curious fans uniquely cult following preceded film release included speculative parodies fans imagined film reached point convergence culture fan speculation began impact film production proclaimed cult film major game released failed win mainstream audiences maintain cult following retrospect critic novelty naive era internet influential marketing trend instant cult classics hailed fail attain lasting following described states phrase cult films approached terms theory states director creative vision drives film fallen favor creating cult film fans critics states theory help create cult films fans film continuing director creative vision likely accept cult according academic theory helped cult films audiences found accessible way approach avant garde film criticism theory provided alternative culture cult film fans carrying weight scholarship requiring repeated extensive knowledge details theory naturally appealed cult film fans taylor states instrumental allowing cult films break mainstream academic states highlighted mainstream success occurs place ignore political readings director cult films directors celebrated content daring independence argues mainstream recognition requires corporate interests stand gain cult film culture critics champion revolutionary aspects filmmaking political interpretation hollywood studios corporate interests instead highlight aspects wish films sensational exploitation like films subversive aspects highlighted subversive aspects ignored
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