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Horsehair

Duncan Nicoll, 1998

Struggling to find a job, Mick spends his days and nights in front of the television in his favourite chair. His partner wants to get rid of it as the chair is falling apart and its insides are bursting through the fabric, but Mick won’t hear of it. But, finally, Mick's lifestyle catches up with him and he bonds with the chair he loves so much in a much more literal way...

Please note that this film contains distressing/triggering content.

Clip Details

Genre: Horror

Country of Origin: UK

Medium/Content: Colour, Sound, Live Action, Fiction

Clip Length: 07:09

Age Group: S4-S6

Classroom Activities

  • Tell pupils the name of the film and ask them what they think the film is about.
  • Where is this film set? What makes you think this?
  • Watch again from 01:49 – 02:10 and discuss how the sound changes and the impact this has.
  • Watch from 00:55 – 01:38. What do you notice about the editing? What does the editing tell the audience about the life of Mick?
  • Describe how colour is used in this film and the information it gives the audience. You could think about the colours on screen as well as the saturation and temperature.
  • Watch from 03:20 – 03:30. What tells the audience that Mick might not be happy with his life spent in the chair? Think about how the character is acting as well as what he is saying.
  • How does the sound and lighting change when we see a shot of the chair on its own?
  • When Mick gets home from the job centre, what effect do the sound, editing and camera shots have? What information does it give to the audience?
  • Discuss the end of the film. What do you think really happened to Mick? What makes you think this?
  • Why do you think his film was called ‘Horsehair?’
  • Think about the scene in the job centre. The staff member didn’t respond to Mick pulling out a ball of hair – why might this have been?
  • Who do you think this film was made for? Do you think this is a motivational film? Give reasons for your answers.

Clip Details

Genre: Horror

Country of Origin: UK

Medium/Content: Colour, Sound, Live Action, Fiction

Clip Length: 07:09

Education Level: Senior Phase