“An all-encompassing history of the cinematic sub-genre of Folk Horror, it is, to say the least, a definitive work that has already won multiple awards.” – Mark Hudson, Film Critic.
Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched explores the folk horror phenomenon and its culturally specific manifestations in international horror, from its first wave in the 1970s to today. Clocking in at a whopping 192 minutes, the film has been hailed as “stunning” (Diabolique Magazine), “brilliant” (AV Club) and “mind-blowingly epic” (Film Threat), and stands as perhaps the definitive genre documentary of our time.
From writer/director/co-producer Kier-La Janisse comes “a seductive mega-text” (Indiewire) through the history of folk horror featuring clips from over 200 films and interviews with more than 50 filmmakers, authors and scholars that explore the rural roots, occult creeds and cultural lore that continue to shape international cinema. The film presents this “astounding achievement” (Screen Anarchy) – also featuring an original score by Jim Williams (A Field in England), animation by Ashley Thorpe (Borley Rectory) and collage sequences by Guy Maddin (My Winnipeg) – that Rue Morgue calls “an unprecedented journey into where folk horror has been, where it’s going and ultimately what it says about humanity.”
Among its awards are:
- SXSW Film Festival: Midnighters Audience Award Winner
- Winner: Best Documentary at the Chattanooga Film Festival
- Winner: Gold Audience Award for Best Documentary at Fantasia International Film Festival
“Janisse’s feature debut is a remarkable effort that’s on par with the thoughtful analysis she’s put into horror through other mediums. It’s a wide-ranging probe into a subgenre that offers insight for even the most studied genre academic.” — Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting
Janisse conducted over 50 interviews with filmmakers, actors/actresses and more during the production. Included, but certainly not limited to, are segments including:
- Kevin Kölsch (Director: Pet Sematary)
- Dennis Widmyer (Director, Editor, Writer: Starry Eyes)
- Piers Haggard (Director: Venom)
- Alice Lowe (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch)
- Amanda Reyes (Tales of the Uncanny)
- Kate Ellinger (Writer: The Birth of Hammer Horror)
- Gail-Nina Anderson (Sleepworking)
- Mariano Baino (Director: Dark Waters)
- Richard Blackburn (Writer: Eating Raoul)
- Lawrence Gordon Clark (Director: The Dick Francis Thriller: The Racing Game)
- Mattie Do (Director: The Long Walk)
- Ian Ogilvy (I, Claudius, Wuthering Heights)
- Winnie Cheung (Digital Image Technician: Scare Package)
- Chad Crawford Kinkle (Director, Writer: Jug Face)
- The incredible list of those involved goes on…
“For those aching for the return to the frenzied energy, passionate arguments, and exuberant love of cinema that in-person film festivals casually offer, WOODLANDS DARK & DAYS BEWITCHED is a sensational substitute!” — Kristy Puchko, RogerEbert.com
Documentary / 2021 / 192 minutes / A film by Kier-La Janisse
HOW TO ORDER:
Public Performance and Digital Site Licenses are available through Soundview Media Partners. To inquire or to place an order, write to info@soundviewmediapartners.com or simply choose from the options below:
For group screening prices, please inquire.
In-home/personal use copies are available on Amazon: DVD https://amzn.to/3KC7fcV and/or Bluray https://amzn.to/3KxbZk2
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