[•REC] (2007), directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, exemplifies the found footage genre, using the format to create a visceral and immersive horror experience. The film follows a television reporter and her cameraman who, while covering a routine emergency, become trapped in a quarantined building plagued by a rabies-like infection. The film critiques the sensationalism of reality TV and the media’s role in exploiting real-life horrors for viewership. The handheld camera technique enhances the sense of realism and immediacy, drawing the audience into the chaos and terror experienced by the characters. This approach underscores the ethical dilemmas of broadcasting violent and traumatic events, mirroring the real-world exploitation of disasters and personal tragedies by the media.
