Aside from a few technological advances, the world really hasn’t changed much since 1932. The cars and the clothes look different, and class may have taken a few beatings, but the foundation of human nature has remained the same.
When Freaks debuted in 1932, it wasn’t the most well-received film by any means. The vast majority was completely appalled by these bigger-than-life “oddities”. Naturally, society was aware that people like this existed, but they didn’t want to have to look at them, or be exposed to their gruesome exteriors. They certainly didn’t want the undesirable plastered across their beloved silver screen. The film’s director, Tod Browning, had a much different opinion. Having been raised around carnivals and the circus for much of his young life, Browning felt a camaraderie with sideshow performers. He saw the human beings in them – the people trapped beneath a physical hardship. It’s very likely that Browning made Freaks not to exploit these people, but to prove them to be as important as the “normal” citizens of the world.
Since Leila Hyams is our main focus, it’s noteworthy that she, as Venus, was one of the few who treated the sideshow acts with respect. In today’s society, we’re exposed to many people who deviate from our definition of normality. It could be their appearance, their choice of religion or sexual preference. Whatever the case, those looking from the outside tend to pass judgment. However, there are also the Venus-esque people of present day, who recognize difference as a uniqueness rather than a flaw.
Freaks is a commentary on intolerance. For that reason alone, it’s still as relevant today as it was when it debuted. The message was blatant, and it took place in a circus setting because of Browning’s personal convictions. Had it been set anywhere else, the message would have still come through. The shock value of the film served it’s purpose quite effectively. The audience gave their full undivided attention because the images before them shocked their system into response. Their instinct was to recoil in horror, but to be horrified, they first had to acknowledge the presence of these unfortunate people. They’d fallen right into Browning’s carefully orchestrated trap. It was his way of acting out for attention, on behalf of the misunderstood crowd he dearly loved. We see a number of people behave in the same manner nowadays.
