Berberian Sound Studio 2013
Directed by
Peter Strickland
Made by
IFC Midnight
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Berberian Sound Studio (2013). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
British sound engineer Gilderoy, portrayed by Toby Jones, arrives at an Italian film studio called Berberian, under the impression that he will be working on a film centered around horses. To his sheer dismay, he quickly realizes that the project is actually the disturbing Italian giallo film, The Equestrian Vortex. Despite the unsettling revelation, Gilderoy immerses himself in the work, which includes Foley sound effects made from vegetables to portray the gruesome torture scenes, as well as mixing voiceovers from session artists Silvia and Claudia into the film’s chilling score.
As time goes by, the weight of isolation mounts for Gilderoy; he feels the emotional distance growing between himself and his mother back home. The atmosphere within the studio grows increasingly hostile, with his colleagues displaying rudeness towards one another as well as him. The horror scenes escalate in their grotesqueness, yet the director, Santini, remains adamant in his denial of the film’s horror elements. After navigating through the film studio’s perplexing bureaucracy regarding his reimbursement request, Gilderoy discovers that his submitted plane ticket is invalid—it turns out he never actually took that flight.
From this point forward, the narrative spirals into chaos. Gilderoy starts experiencing strange auditory and visual phenomena during the night. He learns of a haunting tragedy involving Silvia, the voiceover artist, who suffered abuse at the hands of Santini. A confrontation ensues, leading Silvia to storm out and trash a significant portion of their work, compelling Gilderoy to record the dialogue anew with an actress named Elisa. As they revisit Silvia’s sequences, escalating tensions blur the lines between the blood-soaked giallo film and Gilderoy’s reality. He begins to envision himself as a character in a film about his own life—becoming fluently Italian and adopting a more brutal demeanor.
In a tense recording session with Francesco, Gilderoy finds Elisa’s screams lacking. In a moment of desperation, he suggests torturing her with jarring and dissonant sounds to provoke the ideal scream. The outcome, however, is that Elisa walks out, leaving it ambiguous whether Gilderoy’s intentions were malicious or if he was subconsciously trying to protect her from the horrific cycle of abuse. In a haunting climax, during a sudden power outage, Gilderoy observes the movie projector starting by itself, casting a brilliant light in which he seemingly vanishes.
Timeline
Track the key events of Berberian Sound Studio (2013) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Gilderoy's Arrival
British sound engineer Gilderoy arrives at Berberian film studio in Italy, expecting to work on a film about horses. To his surprise, he discovers it's actually a giallo film titled *The Equestrian Vortex*.
Initial Disappointment
Upon starting at the studio, Gilderoy feels dismayed as he finds himself immersed in creating Foley sound effects, using vegetables to mimic horrific torture scenes. This starkly contrasts with his initial expectations and introduces him to the film's dark atmosphere.
Isolation Sets In
As time progresses, Gilderoy grapples with the growing emotional distance from his mother back in England. The feeling of isolation is exacerbated by the increasingly hostile environment among his colleagues in the studio.
Tension Among Colleagues
The studio atmosphere becomes charged with rudeness and tension, both towards Gilderoy and among the staff. This escalating hostility adds to Gilderoy's unease as the film's grotesque horror elements are blatantly ignored by the director, Santini.
The Invalid Plane Ticket
Gilderoy attempts to request reimbursement for his travel expenses, only to discover that the plane ticket he submitted is invalid. This shocking revelation reinforces his feelings of entrapment and disconnection from the outside world.
Strange Occurrences Begin
From this moment, Gilderoy's experience begins to unravel as he starts experiencing bizarre auditory and visual phenomena. The strange happenings hint at the psychological toll that the film's production and its content are taking on him.
Silvia's Disturbing Past
Gilderoy learns about the tragic backstory of Silvia, a voiceover artist, who was a victim of abuse at the hands of director Santini. This revelation deepens Gilderoy's understanding of the film's horror and the emotional wounds of those involved.
Confrontation with Silvia
Tensions come to a head when Silvia confronts Gilderoy over the project, leading her to storm out in anger. In her frustration, she damages a substantial portion of their work, pushing Gilderoy to regroup and re-record with a different actress, Elisa.
Blurred Realities
As Gilderoy attempts to revisit Silvia's sequences with Elisa, the boundaries between the film's horror and Gilderoy's reality begin to blur. He starts envisioning himself as a character within his own life film, adopting an unsettlingly violent persona.
Tense Recording Session
During a pivotal recording session with Elisa, Gilderoy feels that her screams lack the necessary terror. In a moment of desperation, he impulsively suggests torturing her with harsh sounds to evoke a more chilling reaction.
Elisa Walks Out
Elisa reacts strongly to Gilderoy's suggestion, leaving the session abruptly. This incident raises questions about Gilderoy's mental state, blurring lines between malicious intent and a desire to shield her from horror.
Power Outage Climax
In a haunting turn of events, a power outage occurs during a critical moment in production. Gilderoy watches in disbelief as the movie projector activates by itself, illuminating the room and creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Gilderoy's Vanishing
As the brilliant light from the projector envelops the space, Gilderoy seemingly disappears into its glow. This surreal moment serves as a culmination of his psychological unraveling and the film's insidious horror merging with his reality.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Berberian Sound Studio (2013) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Gilderoy (Toby Jones)
Gilderoy is a British sound engineer whose initial excitement turns to horror as he delves into the dark realm of giallo filmmaking. He is characterized by his sensitivity and dedication but becomes increasingly unstable as the film progresses, leading to a disturbing transformation. His journey reflects the impact of isolation and the blurring of reality and fiction.
Silvia
Silvia is a voiceover artist whose troubled past adds depth to her character. She grapples with her own trauma while navigating the chaotic environment of the studio. Silvia's strong-willed nature and emotional turmoil make her a poignant figure amidst the horror unfolding around her.
Elisa
Elisa is introduced as a new actress brought in to help Gilderoy with the recording sessions. Her vibrant yet anxious personality serves as a counterpoint to Gilderoy's growing madness. The tension between them during recording showcases the thin line between art and real-life horrors.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Berberian Sound Studio (2013), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film's time period is contemporary, reflecting the filmmaking practices and societal norms of the early 21st century. It captures a moment in cinema history where the horror genre, particularly giallo, was experiencing a revival, allowing for explorations of auditory and visual experimentation.
Location
Berberian Film Studio, Italy
The Berberian Film Studio is a fictional Italian film studio where the movie unfolds. Known for producing giallo films, it serves as a hub of creativity and chaos, hosting various sound mixing sessions for unique horror projects. This unsettling environment becomes the perfect backdrop for Gilderoy's descent into madness.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Berberian Sound Studio (2013). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Isolation
Isolation is a key theme as Gilderoy grapples with emotional distance from his mother and the antagonistic atmosphere in the studio. This loneliness amplifies his psychological distress, driving him deeper into a world that blurs the line between reality and film. The horror of isolation is felt both physically and emotionally throughout the narrative.
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Sound & Horror
The exploration of sound as a medium to evoke horror is central to the film. Gilderoy's work with Foley effects highlights how audio can create visceral emotional responses, intertwining with the film's grotesque imagery. This theme emphasizes the power of sound in manipulating perception and reality.
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Abuse & Trauma
The film addresses themes of abuse and trauma, particularly through Silvia's character, who confronts her own dark past. Gilderoy's actions and the studio's atmosphere reflect a cycle of violence and emotional scars that affect everyone involved. This theme underscores the psychological horror lurking behind the façade of filmmaking.
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