'Blair Witch Project'- Cutting Edges (2-12)

‘Blair Witch Project’- Cutting Edges (12)’

The 1999 psychological mystery, 'Blair Witch Project' was renowned on release, for it's low-fi choice of imagery, employed by handheld camera equipment on a limited budget... and ambiguous plot/context, that's since paved the way for future horror film conventions.
The film follows 3 students who visit Bukittsville, Maryland, (known in older days as 'Blair'), in an attempt to document Heather's project, with the help of her fellow film students, John (camera man), and newly acquainted Mike (sound man), concerning the legend around the Elly Kedward: an irish woman banished in 1785, on account of suspected witchcraft.
The children and adults involved with her death were later killed in mysterious circumstances, and became, since, the root of local legend for those living within the american state.

Heather, the apparent leader of the group, is initially an ambitious and confident student, with a strong passion for all things 'Blair' related. Meanwhile, we have Josh and his extended friend, Mike, who, despite agreeing to join, quickly become less noticeably eager, and emotionally invested about the project (which partially makes sense, since it's technically Heather's project). They're often quick to back out when anything beyond their 'duty' is called upon, but are also eager to take control if they feel it'll inhibit their journey back, to their jobs.
A lot of their choices are often quite contradictory, while Heather stands as a sort of guide to the audience, for the whole film (she is the most likely to talk to the camera, and explain what's happening... and we rely on her a lot for insight into the groups changing decisions).
This tension is confusing and frustrating to watch...before you consider an alternative reality for the film. One that's away from the more 'supernatural' aspect of horror.

Throughout the film, there is constant conflict between 'the supernatural' and 'reality'. Something that's pointed out on numerous occasions during the film (i.e. the generalised idea of cinema and our perceptions of what's true/false: "Josh Leonard: 'I see why you like this video camera so much'. Heather Donahue: 'You do'? Josh Leonard: 'It's not quite reality. It's like a totally filtered reality. It's like you can pretend everything's not quite the way it is'",and our constant uncertainty of what's happening/contradictory opinions).
There's undoubtedly reference to the supernatural. After all, the very name of 'Blair Witch' dominates the 'film' and is the fundamental drive of the plot.... Additionally the choice of using genuine interviews give's an element of believability to this (with the mother and child).
However, the overwhelming opinions of locals who've lived there for years, that 'Blair' is merely a legend used by frustrated parents to school their mischievous children... and again this use of realistic filming in the style of a documentary,  alternatively enforces the idea of logical thinking, away from ghosts, and curses.
You can't help begin to question the supernatural aspect of the plot, and as soon as you do, huge pieces start falling into place.
It's possible for the film to be read two separate ways. Therefore, it could, in fact, be a story, not one about supernatural evil, but rather a psychological story about the sole murder of Heather Donahue.

Fig. 1 The genuine ending of the film.

Fig. 2 Mike looking more than a little despondent, in the alternative ending of 'Blair Witch Project'.
This ending was considered too blatant in suggesting the 'supernatural' being responsible. 

Fig. 3 Elly Kedward in 'Blair Witch' (2016).

Adaptations of the lore vary their ideas of reality, considerably. While the original 'Blair Witch Project' remains undisclosed to it's threat...(see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) its sequel 'Book of Shadows: Blair Witch' (2000), explores more psychological themes around madness... and the way in which film glorifies "black magic and witches" (IMDb, 2017), as seen by the characters whom are all witch enthusiasts.

This film, despite having an initially strong pitch due to it's predessing film, 'Blair Witch Project'... but was quick to receive a reputation for the worst remake, for which it actually won an award. However, why some speak bitterly of the films lack of "clarification" (something that, despite also lacked in the first film, does not come with a level of interesting ambiguity)... a misuse of built tension, and- away from the original, (Blake French, 2000) "contains not a single character we care about, and is recycled from about every other horror film released within the past five years.", others beg to differ:

Some fans defend the film as a story independent from it's original predessesor, (Mr_Extoplasma, 2006) ""Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2" has been harshly criticised by fans who it seems haven't taken the time to try and understand what it's attempting to do. It is not a rehash of the original film, and it never aims to be.".

The 2016 version 'Blair Witch', is more centered around the 'supernatural', and in facts shows the witch for the first time, in person (Fig. 3). Showing her arguably means the film (kctx85, 2016) "completely failed to capture anything that made the original such a disturbing experience. They replaced subtlety and dread with loud sound effects, jump scares, and video game glimpses of cliché figures.". 

If we consider the first film again, it's possible that the 'stalker' isn't beyond the ranks of Heather's own film crew. Reconsider Josh and Mike.

Mike seem's incredibly reluctant to do anything that requires heavy effort, under Heather's instructions. So why lug around heavy camera equipment for someone that he doesn't even know?
We know he's closer to Josh, and the two of them seem recurringly evasive to Heather.
We see the map taken from Heather and apparently returned, according to Josh. Heather is frankly honest, "I gave you (Josh) the map", but due to the lack of evidence, she's willing to take the flack for the map's lose, considering it legible and fair..... only to find that Michael had in fact had it, and kicked in the creek.
The compass is reluctantly given to Heather, despite her being right about their "betrayal".
The mysterious sounds of cackling and, foot steps is difficult to explain... until we consider the fact Michael is a sound engineer, and would be perfectly capable of playing said noises, in the night.
Then we have Josh, who is said to have heard the "cackling" of, what he implies, to be the Blair Witch, fairly early on in the film. Perhaps to plant the idea in Heather's head, before then denying it the following days. Heather Donahue: "I hear it". Joshua Leonard: "I don't hear sh*t".
Heather Donahue: "[branch snaps in distance] Did you hear that?".
Michael's then quick to back him up: Heather Donahue: "Mike, go outside and check it out. Why won't you?". Michael Williams: "I don't hear anything".

The only kink is this theory is the fact Josh's teeth, hair and (presumably) is tongue, is found later by Heather... Only we have no solid proof it was him- only that his scarf was tying the twigs... which implies it is.
These objects, twig structures, and rock piles seem a bit off for 'The Blair Witch', who legend states would not wait to attack, simply because it's morning. It's almost as if whomever's responsible is playing a game with them.
It's possible Josh or Michael could have easily snuck out without Heather knowing. As she states herself: "See, my problem is that I sleep like a f*cking rock", so she'd hardly know if either one were collecting stones or setting out radios to transmit specific sound effects. 
Is it possible for Josh to be the murderer? And if so, is he in fact being controlled by 'The Blair Witch', as happened to Rustin Parr (a fictional character from the franchise)?

Fig. 4

Fig. 5 Behind the scenes of a documentation.

Though the myth has mainly be popularised by the film... it's involvement as a historic truth in the stories context, helps enforce a genuine threat, which can frighten audiences.

The visual links to and uncertain boundaries between what's Heather's documentary (black and white) and 'behind the scenes' (see Fig. 5) ... the 'reality' of an ongoing mystery, (or Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick's 'reality' of 'The Blair Witch Project' being a horror film)..... blurs the lines of reality, which can make the horror or graphic imagery seem a lot more up close and personal... It's as if we're peering directly through the eyes of Heather, Josh and Mike, down into their camera lens.

Fig. 6

Additionally, some visuals were based heavily off existing cases of missing people in America, as seen by the resemblance between the missing person flyer for "The Spingfield Three' (a genuine unsolved missing persons case dating back to 1992- see Fig. 6), and the 'Blair Witch Project's' own fictional missing persons flyer of Heather, Josh and Mike.

From real world reference, and relatable circumstance....Myrick and Sánchez create a film that feels unsettling in it's familiarity, and too close to home with it's use balance between careful, staged cinematography... and improvisation (evident in the actors themselves).

The lack of control, both in plot (with the compass and map), and the viewing experience (handheld camera, swinging side to side, as seen in Fig. 4), is unnerving.
There's also there decision to use foreboding prior to the wood trip during the interviews, and then later, when Josh knocks over the rock pile dedicated to one of the seven children, presumably killed by 'Blair'... before being "marked" by the clear gooey substance the morning after.

The 'reality' of the film, however, remains unsolved. It's ambiguous nature encourages alternative film makers, and avid watchers to further expand on the lore themselves, within their own adaptations.
The film is a gripping, tense, and slowly drawn out.  It offers the occasion humorous content, to both ease the tension, and help audiences invest in these characters.
In light of the mystery, we're challenged to find the cause ourselves, through the available footage- which encourages us to pay attention to each detail in and amongst the video grain, and swirling colours. It may be that in our looking, we feel we can in some way avoid the unseen threat that lurks beyond the camera's lens.

I encourage anyone who hasn't yet, to see this film- and not to be deterred by it's format (something that perhaps we are more familiar nowadays, with alternative texts: 'Paranormal Activity' (2007) etc.... and yet perhaps not so much, due to it's noticeably poor camera quality, in a day and age where technology has expanded to a wider array of people- and not just students working in the field of film.
Perhaps this is partially why (having it become it's own kind of convention, typical of the 1990's, of low quality filming, the film can remain unnerving to this day?

References
Websites
Argyrou, Selina (\), 'Blair Witch Project - Horror Film Analysis', [Online]. Available at: https://selinaargyrou.wordpress.com/blair-witch-project-horror-film-analysis/ [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]

Fanelli, William (2015), 'The Blair Witch Project Ending: Who Actually Did The Killing', [Online]. Available at: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Blair-Witch-Project-Ending-Who-Actually-Did-Killing-70180.html?story_page=2 [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]

Giddings, Rory (2015), 'Film Opening Analysis - The Blair Witch Project', [Online]. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/RoryGiddings/film-opening-analysis-the-blair-witch-project?next_slideshow=1 [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Huntley, KE Monahan, (2017), 'The Blair Witch Project', [Online]. Available at: http://dramatica.com/articles/the-blair-witch-project [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
'IMDb', (\), 'Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2', [Online]. Available at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229260/reviews?ref_=tt_ql_3 [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
'IMDb', (\), 'The Blair Witch Project (1999)', [Online]. Available at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/ [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Levy, Adam S. (2016), 'It's back! Blair Witch sequel's claustrophobia-inducing trailer shows camping trip gone terrifying wrong', [Online]. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3760644/It-s-Blair-Witch-sequel-returns-claustrophobia-inducing-trailer-showing-camping-trip-gone-terrifyingly-wrong.html [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Lussler, Germain (2017), 'The Blair Witch Project Almost Had a Far More Gruesome Ending", [Online]. Available at: http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-blair-witch-project-almost-had-a-far-more-gruesome-1794048816 [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Norcross, Jonathon (2016), 'The Blair Witch Project isn't really about a witch, it's about madness and murder', [Online]. Available at: https://movietime.guru/the-blair-witch-project-isnt-really-about-a-witch-it-s-about-madness-and-murder-c53392d39b5e [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
'The Haunted Sponge', (2017), 'Secrets of the BLAIR WITCH Commentary Track', [Online]. Available at: http://www.thehauntedsponge.com/home/2017/1/4/secrets-of-the-blair-witch-commentary-track [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Illustrations
Fig. 1 'Blair Witch Project' (1999), [Film Still], Available at: http://www.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/styles/insert_main_wide_image/public/03-grainy.jpg [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Fig. 2 'Blair Witch'- alternative ending' (2014), [Photo], Available at: http://i.imgur.com/Myo0Nzo.jpg [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Fig. 3 'Blair Witch' (2016), [Film Still], Available at: 04/05/2017] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57dddb8246c3c466ad377b6b/t/586d3b51be65947270a0de0c/1483553623821/ [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Fig. 4 'Blair Witch Project' (1999), [Film Still], Available at: http://cdn.bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/the-blair-witch-project.jpg [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
Fig. 5 'Behind the Scenes: Documentary', (2015), [Photo], Availiable at: 04/05/2017] https://pbblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2015/05/2camera.jpg [Accessed Date:
Fig. 6 Sánchez, Eduardo  and Myrick, Daniel  (1999), 'Missing Poster Flyer: Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, Joshua Leonard', [Poster]. Available at: http://l-o-o-p-y.tumblr.com/post/149137568343/the-missing-poster-for-the-characters-in-the [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]
&
'Missing Poster Flyer: The Springfield Three', (1992), [Poster]. Available at: https://missashleybee.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-spfd-3.jpg [Accessed Date: 04/05/2017]