The podcast explores how 'Wolfen' and 'Candyman' utilize urban settings to critique societal issues like poverty and systemic neglect.
Both films reflect the haunting presence of historical injustices, illustrating how the past continues to shape urban experiences today.
Through their narratives, 'Wolfen' and 'Candyman' reveal the intersection of class and race, highlighting the complexities of urban life and horror.
Deep dives
Urban Life and Horror Films
The discussion centers on two horror films, 'Wolfen' and 'Candyman,' both examining the complexities and stresses of urban life. The concept of the big city promises transformation, yet the films suggest that remnants of the past linger ominously in these environments. The conversation highlights how urban settings serve as a backdrop for supernatural occurrences that reflect real societal issues, reinforcing the idea that individuals cannot escape their historical burdens. The speakers appreciate that urban horror films provide both entertainment and critical commentary on the human condition in metropolitan areas.
The Significance of 'Wolfen'
'Wolfen,' directed by Michael Wadley in 1981, is noted for its authentic New York City locations, which contribute to the film's atmospheric tension. The incorporation of real wolves in the urban environment raises themes of nature reclaiming space from humanity and the consequences of urban renewal. The film symbolizes the clash between apex predators and the rapidly changing American landscape during the 1980s, while also addressing the predatory instincts of capitalism. This exploration helps highlight the disconnect between the rich and the impoverished, encapsulating a nuanced view of city life.
Creeping Nature in 'Candyman'
'Candyman,' based on Clive Barker's work and released in 1992, dives deep into racial and social injustices within the urban setting of Chicago. The character of Candyman, born out of a tragic past, embodies the pain and violence experienced by marginalized communities. The film critiques the fascination of privileged individuals with urban legends while inadvertently contributing to the suffering of the real neighborhoods they exploit for academic interest. Through its chilling narrative, 'Candyman' illustrates that the horror experienced by innocent residents is exacerbated by their status as victims of systemic neglect.
Themes of Class and Race
Both films tackle the intersection of class and race in urban horror. In 'Wolfen,' the wolves represent forces beyond human control that emerge from the shadows of urban decay and socioeconomic inequality. Conversely, 'Candyman' critiques how the privileged navigate these same spaces without acknowledgment of the historical and systemic violence faced by those living there. The series of killings attributed to Candyman serve as a grim metaphor for the ongoing struggles against racism and poverty, presenting the urban landscape as a place of both beauty and terror.
Symbolism of the Past
The legacy of historical injustices plays a crucial role in both films, suggesting that the past is inescapable and continues to haunt modern society. In 'Wolfen,' the creatures symbolize the primal instincts that rise against the corruption of urban progress, reclaiming the spaces taken from native peoples. Meanwhile, in 'Candyman,' the resurrected figure serves as a metaphor for how trauma and violence are remembered and perpetuated within communities. Both horror narratives use their settings to explore themes of memory, sacrifice, and the consequences of societal neglect.
[Note: these Movie Mindset Horrortober Season 1 episodes were already unlocked for free this year over on the Patreon feed, just adding them to the public feed to make them more widely available. To get every Movie Mindset episode, subscribe at patreon.com/chapotraphouse.]
In this final episode of this year’s Ghoulvie Screamset, Will & Hesse take a look at Michael Wadleigh’s “Wolfen” (1981) and Bernard Rose’s “Candyman” (1992). Two films taking advantage of real urban environments the horrors of city life, from the intrusion of primordial natural evil in Wolfen, to manifesting the everyday horror of urban poverty in Candyman.
Thanks for listening to our second outing of Movie Mindset! Will & Hesse will be back next year with a full season 2 of the series. Let us know if there's anything you're dying for us to cover, and stay watchin’ everybody.
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