Intertextuality

Intertextuality is a term to describe a visual referencing between films. Quite literally, films 'borrow' from each other, and you, the audience, may recognise certain camera angles, aspects of mise en scene, snippets of sound or methods of editing in some films that you have seen in others.

For example, the film PSYCHO has the famous shower scene.

 

This scene has had aspects 'borrowed' from it by other films, such as:

FATAL ATTRACTION 

 

The fast paced music, screaming women and a bloody knife were 'borrowed'.

WHAT LIES BENEATH

 

The setting was in the bathroom, they had a bath curtain, a female victim and non-diegetic sound. Again, 'borrowed' from Psycho.



These films 'borrowed' certain parts from Psycho. The setting, sound, editing, weapons and mise en scene are all part of what was borrowed to create Intertextuality.