Research Proposal

An Exploration Of Alternate Reality In Cinema

Key Primary Texts

I will be studying two main texts for my research. I will look at “Donnie Darko” (Kelly: 2001) and “Pan’s Labyrinth” (Del Toro: 2006). Both of these films explore an alternate world or reality within the real world. Both films feature an innocent (or seemingly so) adolescent who enters an alternate world. They both make the audience wonder and question whether or not the alternate reality exists.

Aims of research

I aim to find out why alternate realities in films make us ponder. Why are children often used to tell the story? Is it because it’s their imagination? What are the messages and values of these films, and do they have a deeper meaning? I will also explore into why audiences cannot seemingly tell the difference between reality and an alternate one/a dream.

Link To My Project

Like the films I am studying, my project will feature an adolescent going into an alternate reality. I will aim to make my film make the audience wonder about what’s real and what isnt and why we cannot tell the difference.