Hughes & Evans/The Singing Voice in Contemporary Cinema, 10. The Singing Voice and its Use to Evoke Unease, Discomfort and Violence

This chapter explores the potential for the singing voice to evoke unease, discomfort and even violence. It shows how the singing voice, as key to a film performance can become motivator, marker and enabler of dramatic action. Two types of performances are proposed; the use of individual singing voices related to their ability to perform violence; and the use of communal singing with its relationship to competition and power.