Women in #horror : Featuring @EmilieFlory
@WiHMmonth #ITW by @PromoteHorror
With a SPECIAL SCREAM OUT TO
6 Iconic Women in HORROR
PROMOTE HORROR
WOMEN IN HORROR: FEATURING EMILIE FLORY
-When did you first become a horror fan?
I realized I was a horror fan at age 7, when Jaws came out…
I already had a thing for scary books, cartoons and games. Horror
represented something very exciting to me. I lived in Saint-Tropez in a rich
and sunny environment as pleasant as it was superficial. In this environment,
horror was a form of escapism for me, a subversive force. I was irresistibly
drawn to it: When you’re scared, you feel more alive. You have to find the
courage to face this state of mind where you feel almost like you’re going to
die. It’s horrible… But once the fear is gone, you feel just great. When Jaws came out and I saw the posters
outside the Renaissance movie theater in Saint-Tropez, it was quite a shock.
There was a catch line that said, “She was the first…” and this tiny figure of
a naked woman swimming above a gigantic shark!
I lived in a seaside resort… I fantasized all summer about what the
poster promised because, of course, I wasn’t allowed to see the movie, I was
too young!
-Was there a specific moment when you
realized that you wanted to go from being a fan of horror to a woman who
contributes to the genre, or did it just kind of happen naturally?
That’s an excellent question, Promote. Thanks for asking. Actually, as a
result of the exposure I have to bring to my movie Trauma Dolls, I realize that I contribute directly to promoting the
horror genre: I’m plugging the world of horror in its entirety as well as the
world of women in horror. Certain people in my circle are surprised and try to
figure out where I got my liking for horror. This allows me to give them
information concerning a world and realities they are totally clueless about.
We see some remarkable personalities militating for the horror genre on
Twitter. Women are very active in that domain; I’m delighted to see this. There
is a spectacular synergy, very tight bonds that are created in the horror
community. It’s a world where there exists strong values, extraordinary
friendships and mutual aide you don’t see anywhere else. I’m extremely happy to
belong to this world.
- What does having a "Women in Horror" month
mean to you?
It’s
essential to have a month dedicated to women in the world of horror: Even if
highlighting them only lasts a month, it allows everyone to become aware that,
in this domain, women are bankable. They are an amazing strike force to be
reckoned with. From the very beginning women have contributed to the emergence
of the horror genre, especially thanks to scream queens which also had for a
perverse effect to blur the image and the role of women in horror. Today women
screenwriters, directors and producers showcase their talents; they are in
every department and they are just as successful as men are.
-Is there a woman in horror who you consider
a role model?
Denise Gossett is a model for me. She has all my admiration. What she
did for the horror genre with Shriekfest is outstanding.
Shriekfest is a world famous, medium sized festival where each person
selected becomes a full member of the family. Its selection is rigorous and the
quality exceptional.
Denise fights for independent movies. She is uncompromising on this
point. It’s really important so that things change and genuine artists can
emerge.
There is also a “film music” selection at Shriekfest; it’s an innovating
festival on many points. Denise does a lot for artists. She’s extraordinary on
a professional and human level. I would like to add that she’s a wonderful
actress and a magnificent woman.
-How do you think the role of women in horror has changed over the years?
If we consider only the change that has come about with respect to
actresses and the roles they are offered, things have changed tremendously.
Woman’s status in horror movies has evolved at the same time as her status in
western countries has. Women are no longer just pretty faces who scream while
waiting to be saved. They act, attack their aggressors and even save their
lovers. Sometimes, I even find it’s exaggerated by making them excessively
mannish. I like women being strong but I find that if their strength hides
their vulnerability and their sex appeal, we lose a great deal of what makes up
the magic of the horror genre. Starry
Eyes is a great success because it doesn’t forget that. Just like Crawl or Die whose heroine is a soldier.
And I love Nurse 3D because, thanks
to exceptional acting, Paz de la Huerta proves that you can scare, thrill and
move people by playing an unfortunate psychopath with an outrageously explosive
sexuality!
-What do you think the future holds for
women in horror?
The future is promising for women in horror but also for those in genre
films in general, in action and sci-fi movies. Director Kathryn Bigelow, whom I
personally consider as a genre director, brought about a real tour de force by making it in Hollywood
as she did. Thanks to her, everything has become possible for women, especially
for women who are in genre films: We see marvelous actresses like Maria Olsen,
Alexandra Essoe and Nicole Alonso come into their own, we see young directors
like Jessica Cameron bring down mountains and personalities like Jennifer
Blanc-Biehn fight relentlessly to impose projects she believes in. All of that
is very positive. Very constructive.
6 Iconic Women in HORROR
HIGHLIGHT :
Denise Gossett @DeniseGossett @Shriekfest
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011206/
http://www.shriekfest.com/
http://www.imdb.com/video/demo_reel/vi754556185/
Maria Olsen @mariaolsen66
See Maria Olsen’s full resume on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1864017/.
Like MOnsterworks66 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOnsterworks66.
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariaolsen66.
Jennifer
Blanc-Biehn @jenniferblancb
http://www.jenniferblancbiehn.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004760/
https://www.youtube.com/user/blancbiehn
Nicole
Alonso @nicolemalonso
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3223066/
http://www.crawlordietrilogy.com/
#CRAWLorDIE FULL LENGHT TRAILER :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEerniuK-hs
Jessica Cameron @JessicaCameron_
http://jessicacameron.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2781723/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDq-8gNrDJI
Alexandra
Essoe @alexessoe
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3012273/
STARRY EYES / TRAILER :
http://youtu.be/2JbO0eIc3jM
-Being that this is PromoteHorror.com,
please feel free to plug your current/next horror project.
Since my next project is in the writing stage, let me tell you about my
horror movie project, my team and I are looking for producers and investors: Trauma Dolls is a slasher that takes
place in the worlds of fashion and neuroscience. The movie treats the question
of good and evil and the chances of finding love and light again even if it
seems hopeless! The movie’s screenplay, which made it to the semi-finals in
Shriekfest, made the finals in the Frightnight Film Festival (Fandom Fest) and
the presentation trailer, a finalist at the HollyShorts Film Festival, was
shown at the Chinese Theaters. We have a press kit, which includes a budget,
available for people who are interested.
Thank you so much, Promote, for your invitation to take part in this
month of horror. Thanks as well for the wonderful reviews, previews and
interviews you treat us to, they all contribute to help genre movies move
forward.
The Trauma Dolls’ Trailer was an official
selection at the Holly-Shorts film festival 2014:
FIND OUT MORE HERE:
INTERVIEW BY
DEAN SILLS FOR UK HORROR SCENE:
INTERVIEW BY
EMORY SLONE FOR MALEVOLENT (P16-P19):