The Conversation
Feel the fear: Women directing horror movies
Oct 21, 2024
Ana Lily Amirpour, an Iranian-American filmmaker known for her acclaimed film "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night," teams up with Gigi Saul Guerrero, a Mexican director celebrated for "La Quinceañera." They delve into how women bring cultural folklore into horror, transforming traditional narratives. Discussions cover the empowering themes of femininity and resilience, as well as how personal identities shape storytelling. They also explore the significance of Mesoamerican folklore and the role of horror as social commentary, challenging conventional cinematic tropes.
26:28
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Quick takeaways
- Both Ana Lily Amirpour and Gigi Saul Guerrero incorporate their cultural backgrounds into horror, enriching narratives with themes of femininity, power, and folklore.
- The horror genre is leveraged by both filmmakers as a means to address social critiques, particularly focusing on issues like immigration and societal taboos.
Deep dives
The Forbidden Nature of Horror
Horror can often be seen as a rebellious form of entertainment, contrasting with cultural prohibitions. For one filmmaker, Gigi, growing up in a strict Catholic household in Mexico, horror represented a breaking of familial norms and a chase after the 'forbidden fruit.' This notion highlights how horror films can invite audiences to explore fears and discomforts that are otherwise kept at bay. By engaging with horror, viewers tap into an exhilarating experience, challenging their own limits and social taboos.
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