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I saw 10 Cloverfield Lane last night and in one scene of the movie, I immediately perceived some clever symbolism...but none of my friends knew the reference and no one else I know has seen it, so I'm coming to the mtgsalvation community for some corroboration or thoughts on my idea. For those of you who know the Jewish folktale of the Golem, the scene should stick out like a sore thumb.
For those of you who don't, here's the basics of the folktale (this is NOT a spoiler...the movie is not about a golem or golem-like creature):
-A golem is an unintelligent hulk made of earth and animated by some sort of holy man, rabbi, priest, etc to do the bidding of that person (meant for good, but never turning out that way)
-It is said that to animate a golem, the word "EMET" (meaning truth or real) is written on the golem's forehead, whereas erasing the first "E" letter to spell "MET" ("death"), turns it off.
-Historically, the golem was meant to protect a certain group of people from something but often goes off on its own or turns on its master and becomes a menace to society
-The golem is said to represent the dangerous, runaway nature of society's fears, paranoia, and anxiety.
So here's how I think it ties to the movie:
There's a scene in the bunker where Howard, Michelle, and Emmett are eating dinner and Emmett starts talking about regrets he has and goes on a small diatribe about tattoos. He mentions how he would have gotten tattoos all over his body if he hadn't been told not to do so by other people. In one part of that conversation, he says he would even have gotten tattoos on his face and says something along the lines of "I'd get my name tattooed across my forehead". This is an obvious nod to the story of the golem where the golem has the word "EMET" written across its forehead. Even the spelling of "Emmett" (a peculiar way to spell that name) is close to the folktale spelling (spelled "EMET"). We learn of the spelling of his name when, probably-not-coincidentally (since it didn't really make sense why they even showed her doing it), Michelle is flipping through Emmett's wallet and poring over his driver's license....particularly focusing on his name.
Symbolically, I think it was meant to draw a parallel between Howard's extreme and illogical paranoia to the story of the golem...that society's paranoia and often illogical reasoning in regards to its own safety and best interest is more harmful to itself than it is protective.
I just wanted to know if anyone else picked up on the link between the movie and the story of the golem.
Thoughts?
(Sorry for the ***** writing, I'm at work and trying to post this quickly)
I did not pick up on that while watching it, but it definitely seems deliberate on the part of the film-makers. Good catch on that and thanks for sharing it. I think 10 Cloverfield Lane is one of the most surprisingly good movies of the year so far and I am glad to learn a new angle in regards to its characters/theme.
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I saw 10 Cloverfield Lane last night and in one scene of the movie, I immediately perceived some clever symbolism...but none of my friends knew the reference and no one else I know has seen it, so I'm coming to the mtgsalvation community for some corroboration or thoughts on my idea. For those of you who know the Jewish folktale of the Golem, the scene should stick out like a sore thumb.
For those of you who don't, here's the basics of the folktale (this is NOT a spoiler...the movie is not about a golem or golem-like creature):
-A golem is an unintelligent hulk made of earth and animated by some sort of holy man, rabbi, priest, etc to do the bidding of that person (meant for good, but never turning out that way)
-It is said that to animate a golem, the word "EMET" (meaning truth or real) is written on the golem's forehead, whereas erasing the first "E" letter to spell "MET" ("death"), turns it off.
-Historically, the golem was meant to protect a certain group of people from something but often goes off on its own or turns on its master and becomes a menace to society
-The golem is said to represent the dangerous, runaway nature of society's fears, paranoia, and anxiety.
So here's how I think it ties to the movie:
Symbolically, I think it was meant to draw a parallel between Howard's extreme and illogical paranoia to the story of the golem...that society's paranoia and often illogical reasoning in regards to its own safety and best interest is more harmful to itself than it is protective.
Thoughts?
(Sorry for the ***** writing, I'm at work and trying to post this quickly)
Everything combos with Tombstone Stairwell.