"Suspiria" (77) A bloody Snow White colored in the three primary colors of light

Color design inspired by “Snow White”

Another feature of "Suspiria" is its jewel-like, vibrant color scheme. Dario Argento, working on his first film with a supernatural motif, referenced " Snow White " (1937). This film, which is notable for its use of the three primary colors of light (red, blue, and yellow), was actually inspired by a Disney animation.

Argento ordered Kodak's "Three Back" film, which was almost out of use at the time, from China to film the movie. The low sensitivity of the film meant that a large amount of lighting was required, and the process was extremely difficult, as colors had to be removed or enhanced during the development stage, but the effect was enormous. The sparkling beauty of the colors gives "Suspiria" an art film feel. Perhaps Argento thought that a fantastical image was necessary to depict a fantastical story. "Suspiria" is a bloody "Snow White" colored in the three primary colors of light.

"Suspiria" was remade by director Luca Guadagnino in 2018. However, Argento himself seems to be quite dissatisfied with the film.

"Suspiria(18)" trailer

Interviewer: Recently, artistic and intellectual horror films have become more common in the US. Director Luca Guadagnino recently remade Suspiria. What do you think about that?

Argento: "I don't see a remake of ' Suspiria' as a well-made project. It lacks the horror, the music, the tension and the creativity of the set. Movies like ' Get Out ' and ' Hereditary ' amazed me with the beauty of the images, the plot and the greatness of the production." ( Excerpt from an interview on interviewmagazine.com )

What irritated Dario Argento the most was the lack of fantasy that was so strongly imprinted in the original, and he firmly believes that fantasy is the most important factor in horror.

Reference: "Dario Argento - Geometry of Terror" by Toshihiro Yazawa, ABC Publishing

Text: Rui Takeshima

A pop culture writer who wants to be kicked by Hit Girl. Host of the web magazine "POP MASTER".

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