Folk horror often examines tension between the “modern” and the “premodern,” the latter represented by folklore, witchcraft, and superstition which threaten the “modern” protagonist. Many folk horror flicks, like the classic The Wicker Man and the more recent The Witch, use this dynamic to critique modernity, traditionally defined by western white men and used to…
Backlight: The Film Industry Is Toxic But There’s Still Hope
This week, we saw more news around Weinstein (who’s shocked?) but it hasn’t all been grim. People within the industry are standing up and making a difference, whether it’s through sharing their stories, breaking ties with The Weinstein Company, or focusing their efforts on better causes. We also have some exciting and heartwarming projects from…
9 Witchy Films To Make Your Hallowe’en Magical
Hallowe’en is a time of year often associated with magic, spirituality, and witchcraft. In many religions and cultures, it’s a time to remember and celebrate the dead. For witches, it signals greater access to (and from!) the spiritual world. For some, the idea of spirits and fairy-folk entering the human world can seem pretty spooky,…
Backlight: Harassment Ain’t Cool
Content warning: sexual abuse Well, it’s been another bleak week for sexual harassment in film and TV, but don’t lose all hope! Upcoming projects from diverse creators showcase the originality, creativity, and inclusivity that creators of colour and female creators can bring to our screens. Harry Knowles Accused Of Sexual Assault And Harassment Harry Knowles…
Backlight: Black Films And TV Shows To Shout About
This week gave us lots of announcements and news on amazing projects from all over the world. We heard progress updates on a bunch of projects from black creative teams, plus exciting Oscar news and queer film trailers.
Three Generations of Redemption in Hotel Salvation
Hotel Salvation (Mukti Bhawan) Shubhashish Bhutiani (director), Manas Mittal (editor), David Huwiler, Michael McSweeney (cinematography) Shubhashish Bhutiani and Asad Hussain (writers) Lalit Behl, Adil Hussain, Palomi Ghosh (cast) Released April 7, 2017 (India), August 25, 2017 (UK) Hotel Salvation (Hindi: Mukti Bhawan) is a slow, comic portrayal of grief, death, and letting go. This Indian film by…
SSFX Film Festival Is Finding The Humanity In Sounds From Space
The SSFX Film Festival has a compelling concept: the festival showcases several short films inspired by–and featuring–sounds from space. The festival is part of an astronomy and physics project at Queen Mary University of London, where sounds from space have been recorded. Dr Martin Archer, festival director and space physicist, tells the audience all about…
Backlight: Your Movie and TV News Roundup
Content warning: sexual abuse This week in film and TV was a bit of a rollercoaster. We’ve seen a flurry of activity around projects led by female creators and creators of colour, but we’ve also had some disheartening news about the state of discrimination and abuse within the industry. Remember to support your favourite creators…
The Dead Game of Thrones: Who Do You Want to See Die?
Game of Thrones is a show that we both love and hate. We got together to examine what keeps us watching and who we most want to see die next. What keeps you watching Game of Thrones? Wendy Browne: Masochism. But seriously. I am and have always been invested in these characters from both book…
