Abstract

An increasing number of brilliant films in western countries especially Hollywood films have been imported these years, more and more Chinese audiences  accordingly have better experiences than before. Meanwhile, some filmmakers and genres are in the audience's sight, such as Gothic movies directed by Tim Burton. Gothic movies originated(initiated) from Gothic Literature and Gothic Music, via visual modeling of films as color, shadow. Filmmakers express the pursuit of depress of darkness, the death aesthetics, the religion complex and the pursuit for aestheticism. As Edward Scissorhands(1990) was shown, Gothic films entered into a golden age and kept bring new elements to the Gothic field.  The horror of death was turned into the sense of beauty through artistic expressions. But this sense of beauty was pure and glorious.

The thesis is based on the backgrounds of Gothic origin and development, as well as the spirit of Gothic culture. It primarily focuses on humanistic spirit in Gothic films, exploring the depiction of humanity. It first demonstrates the introduction and background of Gothic and the spirit in Gothic domain; Next, it explores the development of Gothic films and spirits in them. Then, by analyzing the stage set, character portrayal dialogues, it demonstrates the employment of Gothic elements in Burton’s works. At last it explores the beauty of humanity from Tim Burton’s works to the entire Gothic films.

The thesis will be a detailed supplement documentary to further study of Gothic films, it can conceivablely inspire our filmmakers’ creativity.

Key words: Gothic, Gothic films, Tim Burton, the beauty of humanity