CULT – An insight into the word through a cinematic angle

“CULT”  – An insight into the word through a cinematic angle...

What is a cult film? How to identify a cult film? Why is it called so? Read on to find out...

“Cult”, a genre of film that prides itself on being unique, and peaks over a plethora of films ranging from the terribly incredible, to the incredibly terrible. 

According to AMC Filmsite.org, “Cult Films have limited but very special appeal. Cult films are usually strange, quirky, offbeat, unconventional, oddball, or surreal, with outrageous, weird, unique and cartoonish characters or plots, and garish (dazzling) sets. They are often considered controversial because they step outside standard narrative and technical conventions. They can be very stylized, and they are often flawed or unusual in some striking way.” 

Cult films disobey common notions of good and bad taste, and they challenge genre conventions and logical storytelling. They are the loners and weirdos of the film world, they act different, sound strange, and reject the formulas of mainstream film. Cult films can be beautifully original and unlike anything you’ve seen before (e.g. from recent past - Aaranya Kaandam, Soodhu Kavvum, NKPK, Chennai 600028 | Inception, The Dark Knight, Django Unchained, Pulp Fiction, Fight Club ), or they can be terrible films that are praised for their astounding mediocrity (e.g. Arya Surya, Lathika, Veerasaamy, Sura, Chennai Express, Himmatwala, RGV ki AAG). Either way, through their unique, offbeat nature, they can all be classified as cult films. So this explains us the fact that “cult” does not only mean “best” or “excellent”... 

The other prominent criteria for a film to be considered cult is that it mostly lacks mainstream appeal, while simultaneously possessing a small, but extremely devoted, fan base. We have fan clubs in the form of Facebook Groups, for “Aaranya Kaandam”. Now that explains the dedicated reach of the film among the audience. Another example is yesteryear’s “Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom”, where the dialogues of the film have become so famous, that they have joined day-to-day lingo for Tamil-speaking people! While “The Godfather” and “The Lord of the Rings”, have very devoted fan bases, their status as classic films exclude them from being considered purely cult films. Cult movies aren’t always enjoyed by the masses, and are often largely unknown by the general viewing public, but they live on in the hearts of the dedicated few who see the beauty and quality where others don’t. Let us take our own examples - “Thuppakki” and “Mankatha”, do have a large fan following, and often make it to the “favourite” lists of the majority of us. “Kuruthi Punal” is more of a “cult” action movie, which is worshipped even after so many years, for the ideologies and awesomeness of the two heroes way back in the ‘90s. It stands unmatched even today. It is an unpopular film (especially at the Box Office) that became popular among a narrow but loyal audience, leading to the immortalisation of the film’s dialogues, quotes and situations in the critical and analytic online space. 

In summation, a cult film can be defined as an offbeat film that goes against convention, and lacks mainstream appeal, but possess a devoted cult fan base. Sadly because they are both offbeat and lack mainstream appeal, they are often very hard to find. They are films that you must seek out, and will often be overlooked by the casual viewer. It’s a genre that deserves more attention, but by its definition is overlooked. However through their vagueness, these films set themselves apart, and go against convention, allowing themselves to blossom into a wide variety of remarkable, and entertaining films. A cult film has cult following, and a film will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base, eg.- “Fight Club”, “Memento”, “Aaranya Kaandam” etc. These movies were not commercial success, but their fan base is very passionate about them. Though it is not necessary for a cult movie to receive critical and commercial acclaim, sometimes a cult movie achieves it eg. – “Pulp Fiction”, the 1975 Bollywood potboiler “Sholay” etc. These movies not only have a cult following they also had commercial and critical success. This when a movie becomes a CULT CLASSIC. Consider “Nayagan” and “Thalapathi”. Both these films did not have the “qualifications” on paper, to be termed as “cult” films. The cast was as big as it could get, the films had huge amount of hype before and after they released and they fared extra-ordinarily well at the Box Office. Yet, why are they called “cult classics”? Well, this is because of the following, and worshipping of these films as they are often termed as “literally perfect”. 

Cult films trace their origin back to controversial and suppressed films kept alive by dedicated fans like “Pudhupettai” and “Katradhu Tamizh”... Can you guys think of any more films like this? 

Another breed of cult films are the ones that brought about a change, a revolution in the mindset of the audience. The best example is “Paruthiveeran”. The year was 2007, and it released at a time when literally no film-maker wanted to trace our roots or venture into the core of small town villages even though they knew that they could get much better storylines than the usual rowdy-masala fare that was selling with the audience. The film became a runaway blockbuster hit, capturing many hearts and fans for its raw nature. Then came “Subramaniapuram” in 2008, after which almost every Friday we had a village-based/Madurai-based film on the silver screen. But these 2 films could not be bettered. They definitely brought about a much needed change in our film-making, and saved us from getting stereo-typed like “Tollywood” where even now, we get a new “Sura” or “Veerasamy” every Friday!

“Soodhu Kavvum” also has paved way for a new genre - that screams innovation, creativity and enjoyment - in the name of “black comedy” or “dark comedy”. The recently released “Moodar Koodam” has indeed cemented the place of these quirky films, and welcomed new directors to follow suite. Cult films can also be sleeper hits, like 2012’s “Vicky Donor”. 

To quote more “breeds” of mainstream-cult (films that do not fall into the category of purely cult) films post 2000, we can start with “Aalavandhan”... The film was LIGHTYEARS ahead of its time! The audience just couldn’t digest it. And now, we have Quentin Tarantino praising it for being so. “Chandramukhi”, though a pure commercial potboiler, is enjoyed by the common man even after so many years. The film was known for the repeat-audience that it got during its release, and also the comedy and dialogues. “Eeram” is another popular film among the DVD goers, due to its emotionally strong plot. “Anjathey” is another sleeper-hit cult. The calculatedly executed scenes, and mind-boggling thrilling moments make it an unforgettable watch, which even resulted in a re-release of the film due to popular demand! Almost all of Director Bala’s films can be included in the list! “Pithamagan”, “Nandha”, “Naan Kadavul”, and also the the recent “Paradesi”. 

Branding “Kaakha Kaakha” as a cult film, is also one of the most arguable. The fairytale romance is remembered till date, and remains an unforgettable film of Surya. GVM became a house-hold name with this film, and it was another film which defined raw action. The music was a raging hit, the story heart-wrenching and thrilling at the same time, and the immortalisation of Tamil Nadu Police, do make it a cult. “Ayutha Ezhuthu” has got to be the most under-rated political thriller in India... Mani Ratnam’s gem was unfavourable at the box-office, but it has its own following for the matured storyline, and realistic portrayal of student politics and rowdy mind-games. The film was a masterstroke then, and we just didn’t realise it. This article would be incomplete without mentioning Dhanush-Selvaraghavan’s “Pudhupettai”... The OST by Yuvan still remains unbeaten for this one. A lot has been talked about it, and even now, we have artists creating minimalistic posters, comic-strips, cartoons for this film. This proves the tremendous support that the film has garnered. “Katradhu Tamizh” is still unanimously worshipped as a trend-setter for Director Ram. “Oram Po”, “Chennai 600028” and “Polladhavan” were strikingly different from the other bunch of films that released during their times. The style of narration and their down-to-earth backdrop make them join the “cult” club. As for romance, then we have the synonymous “Vinnaithandi Varuvaya”, fondly called as “VTV” by the majority. The intensity in the relationship, and matured performances from Simbu and Trisha on the foreground of ARR’s music, make it an inevitable film in this list. Yesteryear’s “3” is another disputed inclusion as a “cult” film, but still, it has its own set of dedicated fans. Almost 60% of the Tamil populace on facebook and twitter were posting about the film when it was aired in TV for the first time! “Angadi Theru”, “Vazhakku Enn 18/9” and “Kadhal” are few more examples! 

As for old cult classics, the list must start with Nagesh’s “Ethir Neechal” – there would be no argument on this one! “Parasakthi”, “Thiruvilayadal”, “16 Vayadhinile”, “Mullum Malarum”, “Sigappu Rojakkal”, “Indru Poi Nalai Vaa”, “Thillu Mullu”, “Sathi Leelavathi”, “Karagattakaran”, “Murattu Kaalai”, “Pudhiya Paravai”, “Adhey Kangal”, “Enga Veetu Pillai”, “Thillana Moganambal”, are hand-picked examples of all-time classics. These are simply immortal films that are etched in each and every one of our hearts! 

Now seeing the other side of the “cult” word, as I said earlier, films like “Veerasamy”, “Anjaneyaa”, “Aegan”, “Lathika”, “Aanandha Thollai”, and even “Alex Pandian” can be considered as cult films! These films are so mediocre, that they are used in everyday lingo too You would know what I am trying to say! 

Same goes for dialogues and scenes too! A film might not be too good, but there would have been one dialogue that makes the film memorable and exciting. A film might have been dull, but one sequence could have lifted the mood. Think of many examples... Many movies in the recent past followed this pattern. 

Dialogues like “I am Waiting” and “Ppppaaah!!” are used so often, for almost any situation! These are the most recent examples, and there are just too many to compile here. “Petromax Light than venuma” is another evergreen cult dialogue which is used very frequently even after so many years! There are T-shirts that have these quotes/dialogues printed on them. There are 1000s of facebook pages carrying these dialogues as the title. Thalaivar’s dialogues are a rage in songs, videos, photo comments, counters, statuses, tweets, etc These define the word “cult”!

Since the late 1970s, cult films have become increasingly more popular and mainstream, which has drawn accusations that studios have begun trying to "artificially" create cult films. Films are frequently stated to be an "instant cult classic" now (which is often a myth), sometimes before they are released. Fans on the Internet have latched on to unreleased films only to abandon them later on release, for absolutely no known reason (Example – “Thanga Meengal”). At the same time, other films have acquired massive, quick cult followings, thanks to spreading virally through social media (“Aaranya Kaandam, “Lathika”). Easy access to cult films, via YouTube, video on demand and torrent file sharing has made it easier for people to recognise talent, and the talents themselves to showcase their work to a larger, interested audience.

What is also understood/derived from this, is that cult films have got a new meaning, in this technologically advanced era.