MEDIA/FILM STUDIES: ZOMBIES FROM THE ID

Over the holidays I had the opportunity to watch the fantastic Channel Four "Dead Set" drama series written by the peerless Charlie Brooker - he of "Screenwipe" fame. The premise is that the "Big Brother" household is unaware that the UK has been ravaged by zombies. Yes, plenty of scope for social commentary, no shopping malls but TV studio and sets are the target for the zombies who amass outside its gates. The appearance of Davina McCall and other notaries/celebrities playing themselves adds a certain reality to the mock-reality TV conceit.

Purists beware: these zombies can move. They are exocet fast ala Zack Snyder rather than the lumbering death vehicles of George Romero.

Here's a link to the trailer for "Dead Set". Beware, this series is not for the faint-hearted and many of the scenes are graphic and truly harrowing. If you scare easily this is not for you:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HQjq639WPiU


Follow this link to a scholarly article by Simon Pegg which appeared in the Guardian. Pegg is a purist and makes many interesting comments on what zombies represent in terms of our subconscious. Also he quite correctly makes the point that "28 Days Later" is not a zombie film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285482/board/thread/121956013?d=121986156&p=1#121986156

Personally I like my zombies fast and furious.