Global Horror Cinema Today: 28 Representative Films from 17 Countries

by Jon Towlson

Overview

The horror film is thriving worldwide. Filmmakers in countries as diverse as the USA, Australia, Israel, Spain, France, Great Britain, Iran, and South Korea are using the horror genre to address the emerging fears and anxieties of their cultures. This book investigates horror cinema around the globe with an emphasis on how the genre has developed in the past ten years. It closely examines 28 international films, including It Follows (2014), Grave (Raw, 2016), Busanhaeng (Train to Busan, 2016), and Get Out (2016), with discussions of dozens more. Each chapter focuses on a different country, analyzing what frightens the people of these various nations and the ways in which horror crosses over to international audiences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476671536
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	07/14/2021
Pages:	225
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.46(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jon Towlson is a UK-based journalist and film critic. He has written for British Film Institute, Senses of Cinema, Digital Filmmaker Magazine, Starburst, Scream, The Dark Side, Starburst Magazine, Paracinema, Exquisite Terror, Irish Journal of Gothic and Horror Studies, Shadowland Magazine and Bright Lights Film Journal.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Introduction: States of Terror 6

1 Argentina: White Coffin (2016) and Francesca (2015) 13

2 Australia: The Babadook (2014) and Hounds of Love (2016) 26

3 Austria: Goodnight Mommy (2014) and Cold Hell (2017) 43

4 Brazil: Through the Shadow (2015) and Our Evil (2017) 53

5 Britain: Prevenge (2016) and The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) 66

6 Denmark: Shelley (2016) and What We Become (2015) 79

7 France-Belgium-Luxembourg: The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears (2013) and Raw (2016) 88

8 Iran: Under the Shadow (2016) and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) 104

9 Israel: Rabies (2010) and Big Bad Wolves (2013) 113

10 Mexico: Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017) and The Untamed (2016) 125

11 South Korea: Train to Busan (2016) and The Wailing (2016) 138

12 Spain: Painless (2012) and The Corpse of Anna Fritz (2015) 148

13 Turkey: Hüddam (2015) and Baskin (2015) 159

14 U.S. and Canada: Most Beautiful Island (2017) and The Transfiguration (2016) 171

Afterword 185

Chapter Notes 189

Bibliography 197

Index 203

Editorial Reviews

A thoroughly researched international overview of the horror genre. Each chapter chronicles the history of horror in a different country, examines contemporary productions, and explores two recent films for a deeper look at common national themes....fascinating introduction for readers looking to learn more about horror films outside of the United States....thoughtful analysis...solid”—Library Journal.

From the Publisher

07/09/2021

Film critic Towlson's (The Turn to Gruesomeness in American Horror Films, 1931–1936; Subversive Horror Cinema) latest is a thoroughly researched international overview of the horror genre. Each chapter chronicles the history of horror in a different country, examines contemporary productions, and explores two recent films for a deeper look at common national themes. For instance, Towlson highlights feminist leanings in many recent Australian horror films that he says counter the hypermasculine Ozploitation movies of the past. He also details the work of Argentinian filmmakers who tap into issues such as the tension between urbanity and ruralization. These readings could perhaps be developed into a longer volume or even a series of books that focus on one country at a time and would allow for a more thorough study, but as it stands, this is a fascinating introduction for readers looking to learn more about horror films outside of the United States. VERDICT Featuring brief but thoughtful analysis, this is a solid basis for anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge of global horror films and would be a fine choice for general collections wanting to add to their film studies sections.—Nic Champion, Kirkwood P.L., St. Louis

Library Journal