Research into genre

The term black humour was coined by the surrealist theorist Andre Breton in 1935 to label a subgenre of sub genre of comedy and satire in which laughter arises from cynicism and skepticism, often relying on topics such as death. Black comedy has its roots in slapstick comedy, for example Charlie Chaplin's silent films from the 1920's. Indeed, slapstick has been used long before the invention of film, for example to lighten the tone of serious religious plays in England. However, the major difference between slapstick and black comedies is the relationship of each to violence. Where characters in slapstick comedies never bled (that would have upset the audience members of the time) and might end up with a bandage or two from time to time, characters in black comedies are put through much more gruesome and bloody tortures, although the consequences of such are never as realistic as they should be. For example contrapuntal music is used when Patrick Batemen murders Paul Allen in American Psycho with an axe, Hip to be square by Huey Lewis and the News plays as Batemen, in a low angle, calmly smokes a cigarette with a bloodied face after murdering Paul Allen with an axe.

An amusing play on words.

In black humor, topics and events that are usually regarded as taboo are treated in an unusually humorous or satirical manner while retaining their seriousness; the intent of black comedy, therefore, is often for the audience to experience both laughter and discomfort, sometimes simultaneously.
Black comedies are a fairly specific genre, for example, many black comedies are made on a small budget and later become cult films, such as: Office space and Fargo. The reason for this is the taboo subjects that black comedies confront in a comical manner is often interpreted as offensive by the average movie goer. However, there are exceptions of black comedies that have been notable cinematic successes, for instance, Fight club and American beauty. For this reason we have decided our film will be released indepently and we will rely on innovative script writing and well shot scenes to generate our income over the years as the film hopefully gains a cult status and following. We have been inspired by and feel our audience will be fans of the following films: Hot fuzz, Fight Club, Snatch, Lock stock and two smoking barrels, Office space, American Beauty and Fargo.