Berberian Sound Studio

Berberian Sound Studio

Year: 2013

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Peter Strickland

DramaThrillerHorror

In 1976 Rome, sound engineer George Gilderoy is commissioned to work on an Italian horror film called The Equestrian Vortex. As he meticulously crafts the soundscape for the dark and disturbing tale of witchcraft and murder, he becomes increasingly immersed in the project. The line between the film's disturbing content and reality begins to blur, leading to a psychological descent that threatens his sanity and forces him to confront a disturbing truth about himself.

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Timeline – Berberian Sound Studio (2013)

Trace every key event in Berberian Sound Studio (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

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*.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
2

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
3

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
4

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
5

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
6

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.

7

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
8

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
9

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
10

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
11

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
12

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy
13

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.

Berberian Film Studio, Italy

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:34

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Berberian Sound Studio

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