Meaning: Alejandro Amenábar, a renowned Spanish filmmaker, is known for his unique approach to horror movies, as exemplified by his quote: "In horror movies today it's lots of fast cut shot and lots of loud noises on the soundtrack. I tried to do the opposite. Playing with silence for instance." This statement sheds light on Amenábar's distinctive style, which diverges from the conventional techniques prevalent in contemporary horror cinema.

Amenábar's sentiment reflects a deliberate departure from the prevalent trends in the horror genre. In today's horror films, rapid editing and a barrage of loud, jarring sounds are often utilized to create a sense of urgency and fear. This approach aims to induce immediate, visceral reactions from the audience, relying on a bombardment of stimuli to elicit fear and suspense.

However, Amenábar's creative vision diverges from this prevalent approach. By emphasizing the use of silence and deliberate pacing, he seeks to instill a different kind of fear in his audience. Rather than relying on a constant onslaught of sensory stimuli, Amenábar crafts suspense and tension through the manipulation of sound, or the absence thereof. This deliberate choice allows for a more nuanced and psychologically penetrating form of horror, one that eschews the reliance on overt shock value.

Amenábar's approach to horror filmmaking aligns with a broader trend in the genre, where directors are increasingly exploring subtler, more psychological forms of terror. By utilizing silence and deliberate pacing, filmmakers can tap into the audience's primal fears and anxieties, creating an atmosphere of unease and disquiet that lingers long after the credits roll.

One of the key aspects of Amenábar's approach is the intentional use of silence. In horror cinema, sound is a crucial element in building tension and evoking fear. However, Amenábar recognizes the power of absence – the silence between sounds – as a potent tool for generating suspense. By allowing moments of quiet to permeate his films, he creates a sense of anticipation and unease, heightening the impact of subsequent sounds and events.

Moreover, Amenábar's emphasis on deliberate pacing allows for a more immersive and contemplative viewing experience. Rather than bombarding the audience with rapid cuts and frenetic action, he cultivates an atmosphere of lingering dread and anticipation. This deliberate approach encourages the audience to engage with the film on a deeper, more introspective level, as they are drawn into the intricacies of the narrative and the psychological underpinnings of the characters' experiences.

Amenábar's distinctive style has left an indelible mark on the horror genre, inspiring fellow filmmakers to explore alternative approaches to eliciting fear and suspense. By deviating from the fast-paced, sensory overload prevalent in contemporary horror films, he has demonstrated the potential for a more nuanced and psychologically resonant form of terror. Through his deliberate use of silence and pacing, Amenábar invites audiences to confront their deepest fears and anxieties, creating a cinematic experience that transcends mere shock value.

In conclusion, Alejandro Amenábar's quote encapsulates his innovative approach to horror filmmaking, one that emphasizes silence and deliberate pacing over the fast-cut, loud-noise conventions of contemporary horror cinema. By challenging these prevailing trends, Amenábar has carved out a distinct niche within the genre, showcasing the power of subtlety and psychological depth in eliciting fear and suspense. His influence continues to reverberate throughout the world of horror cinema, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers to explore alternative avenues for instilling terror in their audiences.