Sigmund Freud is the man who explored the beautiful human mind. He was an eminent psychologist, physiologist, medical doctor, who gave birth to the concept of psychoanalysis. Freud was born in Freiberg, Moravia in 1856 and settled in Vienna for the rest of his life. His inventions were revolutionary and explained the sequence of camouflage in correlation with human personalities.He articulated and explored the delicate theories and gave the concepts libido, denial, repression, dream interpretation, sublimation, and neurotic.
These concepts influenced the public and the impressions it left were mirrored through movies. Freudian theories like Oedipus complex, the psyche and dream Analysis are predominantly showcased in silver screens.
Oedipus complex is a theory of childhood development and it is said that a child develops deep sexual attraction for the parent of the opposite sex, and a hatred of the parent of the same sex.However the two said principles reality and fantasy leads to abandon this incestuous desire in the child.
Reality principle is where the child realises is not capable enough to go against his father both mentally and physically. The fantasy principle is the fear of being castrated by his father as the child desires of his mother.
The psyche is where the human mind is described as three different entities ID, ego and super ego. Id is considered the pleasure principle; vehemence to attain the pleasure might lead to aggression and violence.The Ego factor tries to set a balance between desire and acceptable societal norms. The superego operates on the morality principle and motivates us to behave in a socially responsible and acceptable manner.
Interpretation of Dream is generally portrayed through horror movies. The apparition is in the form of symbols, which can be interpreted. There are two types of dreams Latent and Manifest. Latent dream is a figment of our imagination and desire which comes to life in our dreams. Manifest is the distorted version of dreams and we might find the happenings very familiar as it occurs in our real life.
Some psychoanalysis based movies include:
Psycho
Psycho is a psychological thriller which is based on Freud’s Oedipus complex. Norman is extremely possessive towards his mother and the incestuous desire in him killed his mother and her lover. Norman’s pathological state made him believe his mother was still alive and she reciprocated the same kind of affection towards him. When attracted to a young woman he would completely turn into his mother (split personality) and would kill them brutally out of jealousy. Insatiable desire for his mother left him mentally distributed forever.
Also Read – The Master of Suspense: Alfred Hitchcock
Lion King
Lion king is the most lovable film by the Disney pictures. We could identify the Freudian theory being infused all along the plot. The three entities Id, ego and super ego can be traced throughout Simbha’s story line. We could see Simbha being recalcitrant and disobedient kid, which ultimately results in his father’s death. He learns to strike a balance between his passion and duty during days of exile, alongside of Timun and Pumba. Finally he moves out his comfort zone, fights against his evil uncle to avenge his father’s death and save his countrymen.
Haider
Haider is again build on the concept of Oedipus complex and its quite challenging storyline to be dealt in conservative society we are living in. The scenes between Haider (Shahid) And Ghazala (Tabu) show their relationship is not just of a mother and son and much more than that. “Do you remember you did not like even your father to touch me and slept between the two of us at night”this line from the movie reflects Haider’s obsessive affection towards his mother.
Black Swan
Black Swan is psychological thriller which is based on Freud’s psychological concepts ID, Ego and Super Ego. The story revolves around Nina, a ballet dancer and her mother. Nina isn’t able to attain her pleasure principle (Id) as she is constantly guided into a morally “right” path by her Mother (Super ego).At a point she will set herself free from her mom’s clutches to explore the dark parts of self, to connect emotionally with the role of Black Swan.
Also Read – Black Swan Psychological Analysis
Electra
Electra is a Malayalam Psychological drama film which is rewritten from a Greek mythological story. The story revolves around a family where the kids (a girl and a boy),develop a deep sexual attraction for the parent of the opposite sex, and a hatred for the parent of the same sex. Eventually, the siblings end up going against each other, trapped by forbidden desires.