Folk Horror on Film: Return of the British Repressed

The book explores the political and aesthetic aspects of folk horror, including canonical films like Witchfinder General, The Blood on Satan's Claw, and The Wicker Man, and expands the canon to include films like Doomwatch and Requiem for a Village. It argues for the uniqueness of folk horror from perspectives such as pagan heresies, Celtic cultures, peasant lifestyles, folkloric rediscoveries, and postcolonial decline.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Folk horror is a genre of horror that draws its inspiration from traditional folktales, legends, and customs. It is characterized by its eerie atmosphere, unsettling characters, and supernatural elements. Folk horror has a rich cultural significance, as it often reflects the fears, beliefs, and anxieties of a particular society or culture.

One of the key aspects of folk horror is its use of uncanny landscapes and folk creatures. These elements are often used to create a sense of fear and dread, as they are unfamiliar and often feared by the people who inhabit the world of the film. Folk horror films often take place in remote or isolated locations, such as rural villages or forests, which further adds to the sense of isolation and vulnerability.

Another important aspect of folk horror is its use of symbolism and metaphor. These elements are often used to convey deeper meanings and themes about society, culture, and the human condition. For example, a folk horror film may use a witch or a monster to represent the fears and anxieties of a society that is oppressed or marginalized.

Folk horror has had a significant impact on the horror genre as a whole. It has inspired many other films and filmmakers, and has helped to shape the way that horror is perceived and interpreted by audiences. Folk horror films have also been used to explore social and political issues, such as oppression, marginalization, and the power of the supernatural.

In conclusion, folk horror is a genre of horror that has a rich cultural significance. It is characterized by its use of uncanny landscapes and folk creatures, symbolism and metaphor, and its ability to explore social and political issues. Folk horror has had a significant impact on the horror genre as a whole, and continues to be a popular and influential genre today.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526164926