afrohorroraaronkohanbash

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Blog 6

In our last and final week of blog posts, I have decided that I want to take this last chance to talk about my final project, and my overall takeaways from this class. First off, in my short story, I used the previous film “Get Out" by Jordan Peele, and went on to show what would happen if the Armitage family had infiltrated the larger urban society. I took the time to incorporate racist ideas with the many things that we learned across the entire quarter such as the themes of sunken place, liberal racism, and microaggressions as well. As the entire structure of this class allowed me to look deeper into the many horror films that I already watched before coming into this class, I gained a new lens and the true meaning of these films, and what the producer was trying to convey by telling the story, either hidden or out on the surface. And not only did I use the themes that were present in the Jordan Peele movies to inspire me, but I also looked towards movies that Professor showed had ideas of retribution and supernatural, sci-fi, type of occurrences. The vast selection of genres that professor showed us were very entertaining, and the fact that watching these classic films and reading such amazing short stories enabled me to learn so much about the struggles that Black Americans face even to this day in the United States. Taking all of these resources, and my newfound knowledge of the different types of racism and themes that contribute to this racism, it was not a hard choice to make my own story, creating a similar yet original piece of art that incorporated the same suspense and thriller that the Jordan Peele films provided me, with a unique way of bringing in more themes from other Afro horror films. One part in particular of Jordan Peele’s artistry that I loved was how the liberal racism and the microaggressions that these white liberals displayed is something that is not talked about enough. In my story, I showed that many white politicians in the government were trying to take over black bodies with the help of the Armitage family so they could use them to their advantage, but they fell short and got arrested. In all, this quarter has left me many new favorite movies, and I hope to continue my journey of discovering more Afro horror films.

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Blog 5

“The Lake” by Professor Due: Have you ever thought about starting fresh in a completely new place, alongside a lake front property? Well, that's exactly what Abbie Lafleur did when she decided to move to Graceville, Florida. It was a big change from her life in Boston, but she was ready for a new adventure. This summer, she wasn't just going to teach; she was going to live by a lake in a house that needed a lot of love and care, but also came with many eerie and weird times for her. Living by the lake was like being in another world. There were so many new things to see and do, but also challenges that Abbie didn't expect. For one, there was wildlife everywhere. Especially with us knowing that she came from a less nature surrounded area, the nasty bugs and fish made her doublethink what she had gotten herself into. Despite this, the lake had a mysterious charm. It was beautiful in its own unique way, and it drew Abbie’s heart very close to it. We then get to see how Abbie’s new job is treating her. In her class there was one student named Derek. He was a bit of a mystery at first, but as they worked together to fix up her house, they formed a special bond. It was very interesting to see how they got closer as time went on. However, as expected from Professor Due, this story wasn't all fun and games. Abbie started having these strange dreams where she felt like she was part of the lake itself. It was as if the lake was calling to her, showing her that she could be more than just an observer of the life inside of it. This feeling grew stronger until one night, something incredible happened. Abbie experienced a transformation that changed the way she saw herself and the rest of her life would forever change as well. She starts to become a reptilian creature that has webs and has flashbacks and dreams where she feels the webbing on her feet and her turning into a carnivorous animal who cant control her own desires. Her ribs transform into gills, and her desires to be in the water become dire until she becomes an animal of the lake. Through her transformation and the many relationships she creates, Abbies horrific yet interesting story was an incredible read, and it left me questioning if Abbie was always a reptilian and this just triggered her symptoms, or if there was really a supernatural aspect to this lake

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Blog Post 4

"Eve's Bayou", by Kasi Lemmons is set in 1962 in Louisiana and follows a young girl named Eve. She discovers her dad's big secret, which turns her whole world upside down. The way Eve deals with this and tries to understand her family better is really interesting and this showed me just how strong Eve’s character was. For a child to witness their parent cheating on their mother can be heartbreaking, and can even cause long term trauma and problems once they decide to grow up and start their own life. The most important part of the movie to me is the use of Voodoo. It's not just there to make the story cool or mysterious, It actually shows a big part of the characters' culture and beliefs. I liked how the movie made these beliefs a big part of the story. The psychic and healer, Mozelle, being her aunt, served as the spiritual guidance of the family, and showed that all events occurring were already predetermined and way out of anyone’s control. One character that made me on the verge of tears was Eve’s mother, Roz. Although she dealt with her unfaithful husband and the insecurities and personal issues that brought her, she continued to try her hardest to keep her family as stable and together as possible. Anyhow, through Eve’s supernatural abilities and her curious and brave persona, this movie had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Through her visions and her aunt’s psychic abilities, this film took me on a surreal and mystic experience. However, I dont think Eve’s decision to kill her father with the help of the priestess was a good decision. As she saw through her powers, fate was determined and by her changing the true fate, she in a way destroyed her family’s lives and caused even more suffering and pain. Overall, "Eve's Bayou" was an amazing movie. It made me think about how families work, how the past is always a part of us, and how culture and beliefs can help us through tough times. It's a movie that feels very real and has a lot of emotional depth and spiritual depth as well. This film was definitely made me realize how having the powers that Eve had ultimately destroyed her and her family and in a way that being a normal human without such powers might be a better thing in fact.

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Blog 3

After watching the original and best "Candyman" (1992), and also discussing it in this week’s discussion, I felt like it was a rollercoaster of emotions, not just in the spooky sense but also in the underlying messages it tries to get at. What's cool about this movie, and what I loved, is how it's not just about scaring the pants off you. There were many layers to the movie, some frightening, while others were very thought-provoking regarding issues of racism and other societal themes. First off, the vibe is just eerie being set in Cabrini-Green, which, back in the day, was infamous for not being the best place to be. The film uses this real-life setting to amp up the horror but also to say something real. It’s a good way of depicting the underlying messages of the movie because it doesn't just rely on jump scares or surreal horror themes. It uses the actual fear and neglect of these places to make its point. But, some things didn't sit right with me, and that was it feeling repetitive at times. First, the constant reminder of Candyman's not being someone you want to meet in a dark alley, and second, while Helen's journey from being skeptical to finally believing the tale was entertaining, sometimes it felt like I was going in circles to get to the big reveals. However, overall, It seemed very clear that Bernard Rose wasn't just making a horror movie for the sake of scares. He's talking about the real horrors of racism, the stories we tell about people, and how those stories can come to life in a broken society. Candyman was terrifying not just because he's a cold-blooded killer with a hook for a hand. He's the product of society's darkest underlying consequences of racism, violence, and not listening to or believing the experiences of marginalized communities. The film cleverly uses horror to reflect on these themes, showing us that sometimes the true terror isn't the boogeyman but the society that creates him. It’s like a mirror to the real world, where the scariest things aren’t ghosts or monsters, but how people treat each other based on race and class. "Candyman" is more than just a horror movie. It’s a deep dive into the stories we tell and the shadows they cast in real life. From this week’s discussion as well, as our TA also came from Chicago, he had a very personal take on the background of this story and our discussions with him also helped me gain a deeper understanding of why Bernard wasnt just making a horror movie for the sake of selling tickets and turning a profit, but also to inform the audience of the challenges that racism and discrimination bring as well.

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Blog Post 2

After watching Jordan Peele's "Get Out," I decided to hop on the next Black Horror film he produced and that Professor loves as well which is "Us," anticipating another of Peele's masterpieces blending horror with significant societal themes, "Us" exceeded my expectations. In "Us," Peele explores the unsettling notion of confronting the clones, who were the 'Tethered.' This concept made me think inward, and I feel like Peele was portraying the flip side of our personalities, where they were facing the parts of ourselves we often choose to ignore. This encounter between the Wilson family and their doubles is a chilling reminder of our internal struggles. The creepy, underground existence of these characters made me think about the parts of society we often overlook. Their uprising is a striking representation of the unvoiced finding their voice, which was disturbing to see. The twist, when they revealed Adelaide's true origin, was a moment of genius that completely redefined the film's narrative for me. I had a feeling that Adelaide and Red had a special connection, but to see that their personalities were so similar and that the reason Red was able to speak was because she was in fact the human was surprising. It blurred the lines between the protagonist and the antagonist, challenging my perceptions of identity and what was real throughout the movie. This revelation made me think about the complex nature of our identities and how we perceive ourselves. The portrayal of the Tethered, and how they slowly took over the society in the movie made me think a lot. It symbolized not just the silencing of marginalized voices but also the desperate need for expression and recognition. In a way, the way the Tethered revolted against the public was a form of fighting for their rights, equality, and justice as well. Although they seemed like the bad people in the

movie, they had no voice and were the oppressed, so their fight had some merit in that aspect. Moreover, Jordan Peele's mastery of cinematography and storytelling is evident throughout "Us." The use of symbolism with the scissors added depth to the narrative, cutting off the “Tethered” from the rest of the society. In conclusion, "Us" is a profound commentary on identity, society, and the human condition. Peele's ability to weave these themes into a beautiful narrative while maintaining the suspense of a horror film is nothing short of genius. The film not only entertained me but also made me think deeper about the complexities of our identities and the societal structures we live in.

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Blog Post 1 Afrohorror

Get Out" is a powerful commentary on race and society. As I love the work of Jordan Peele, I found this movie to be another thought-provoking masterpiece from him. His direction is always genius, in this instance, fusing horror with crucial social themes, making the audience uncomfortable and on the edge of their seats the entire time. First off, the concept of the Sunken Place, where Chris, the protagonist, finds himself unable to control his actions or voice his thoughts, in my opinion, is a metaphor for the systemic silencing of minority voices. The film also addresses the usual 'white savior' trope. Instead of portraying a white character as the hero, "Get Out" reveals the hidden agendas in seemingly liberal individuals. This twist was a reminder of how racism isn't always expressed on the surface but can hide beneath polite facades, in this case, his lover Rose and her family of creeps. I began to think about the small instances of racism in everyday interactions, where microaggressions are often masked as compliments or curiosity. A part of the movie that really stuck with me most was the film's portrayal of the appropriation and exploitation of black bodies. This element serves as a metaphor for the appropriation of black culture, highlighting how society can celebrate the black talent and simultaneously ignore black struggles, in this case, tricking Chris into believing that he was appreciated and loved by this family. In addition, the small queues that the housekeeper gives throughout the movie, as to how she is being controlled by the white character that overtook her body made Chris realize that something fishy was going on in this house. The movie's ending, where Chris escapes this powerful family, was the highlight of the entire movie for me. It symbolized resilience and the reclaiming of the self, themes that are especially relevant in today’s society. "Get Out" doesn’t just entertain; it educates and invites discussions on race, identity, and the need for genuine empathy and change for African Americans. Many white individuals truly think that they are “allies” to the African American population, and this movie highlights the subtle ways in which that allyship could be a self-motivating, and ingenuine one. Overall, not only was this film an amazing masterpiece of directing, producing, and portraying Chris’ story, but it exaggerated the racism that continues to this day, which made me think more deeply about the treatment of African Americans.