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Feature: La Llorona and other Frightening Folktales

5/10/2019

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Creepy urban legends are known to receive plenty of attention online. If you’re a fan of a horror story, you’ll definitely enjoy taking a look at some of the most frightening folklores that have been around far longer than you’ve been alive. To celebrate the release of The Curse of La Llorona arriving in cinemas May 3rd, we’ve curated a list of some of the spookiest folktales from around the world! Read on if you dare…

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Silverpilen, The Ghost Train of Stockholm (1980s)

Ghost trains may be a fun ride at fun fairs, but some appear to be more real than you think… A train named “Silverpilen” was built as a test unit train in Stockholm, Sweden in the 1980s, and when ominous rumours began circulating it soon became clear that the Silverpilen was no ordinary train. The rumours claimed that the infamous train would sometimes stop to pick up passengers, who would either disappear or come back weeks, or even years, later, with no recollection of where they had been and some of the cars are said to be either completely empty, or full of ghosts. Legend has it, the train is connected to an abandoned railway station named Kymling, which led to the fearsome phrase “Bara de döda stiger av i Kymling,” which roughly translates to “Only the dead get off at Kymling.”
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The Dandy Devil Dogs of Devon (1881)

The story follows a Parson named “Dando”, who was out hunting with his friends when they ran out of alcohol in their hip flasks. The estate upon which Dando and his companions were hunting was named ‘Earth’, and so Dando joked, “Go to hell for it if you can’t find any on ‘Earth’!” At that moment a dark stranger appeared and offered Dando a swig from his flask. Dando helped himself to a sip, and was startled when the strange man rode off with some of his game. The drunken priest shouted and ran after the stranger, until the evil-being scooped him up onto his horse and galloped away. Dando was never seen again, but his dogs are often heard and seen. So if you happen to visit Devon, and are surrounded by a pack of black dogs with red eyes, howling unspeakably, Dando may be paying you a visit.
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Kuchisake-Onna or the Slit-Mouthed Woman (1970s)
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This ancient Japanese folk-tale became increasingly popular in the 1970s, and tells the story of Kuchisake-Onna. The mysterious woman is often described as wearing a surgical mask and approaches her victims asking “Am I pretty?” If your answer is “No” she he will murder you with a pair of scissors that she carries. If yes, Kuchisake-Onna will remove her mask to revealing her butchered mouth, which has been slit from ear to ear, similar to Heath Ledger's Joker and will then do the same to you. To make the story even more eerie, in 2007 a coroner found records from the 1970s of a woman with her mouth slit from ear to ear, who chased children.
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The Kelpie and the Nine Children From the Highlands (1900)

The legend tells the story of a group of children from the Scottish Highlands, who were playing when they saw a very large and friendly horse. They saw there was room enough for all of them on its back, and so climbed up. But when the horse took off at a gallop the frightened children tried to jump off, but they were all stuck fast. Only one of the children survived, and managed to jump off whilst the horse dove straight into a loch. None of the children were ever seen again, but the next day searchers found their remains on the surface of the pond. The horse is said to have been a water-horse or a kelpie: a creature that likes to fool humans into thinking it is an ordinary horse that will drag you underwater to your doom.
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The Deer Woman (TBC)

The story of the Deer Woman originates from Native American folklore and features in the mythology of several Native American tribes, most notably the Chippewa. The Deer Woman’s form varies between a deer and an old woman; however she favours the form of beautiful maiden with the legs and feet of the deer. Legend has it; she calls out to men who are hunting and are then lured into her trap to waste away until they die. According the Chippewa, she can be banished with the use of tobacco and chants, while some say that her spell can be broken by noticing her hooved feet.
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La Llorona (1519)

Can you hear her cries? La Llorona, also known as the Weeping Woman is one of the oldest and most terrifying Mexican Folklores to date. La Llorona is the ghost of a beautiful woman named Maria who drowned her children in a blind rage following her husband’s infidelity. Suddenly realising what she had done, she also threw herself in the river after her children. The spirit of La Llorona is said to still haunt the riverbanks in her white robes, weeping as she walks and kidnapping children, mistaking them as her own and then drowning them. The La Llorona folk-tale has been passed on, generation after generation waiting until darkness falls to scare children before they sleep.

The Curse of La Llorona arrives in cinemas May 3rd​
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Interview: Mark Interviews Kelly of the Coming To Get You Podcast

5/8/2019

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1. For people who may not know you tell us about yourself and How did the podcast come about?
 
Hello! I am Kelly, aka Street Trash from the Coming to Get you Podcast. I live and breathe horror films and I have done since I was 6 years old. CTGY all started when I was in some dire office job and I'd sit there for hours listening to other podcasts and I just thought "I want to do this." Me and my best mate Rich were always having massive talks about horror films over Xbox Live when gaming so I was like "Fuck it, let's do it ourselves!"
 
2. What was your entry point into horror?
 
When I was 6 years old I went downstairs for a drink at dickhead o'clock one night. My older brother was watching a VHS tape and turned it off but I was curious about what it was. He declined me wanting to watch it but I promised I wouldn't get scared. The film was Scream. Wes Craven absolutely kick started my love of all things horror and I haven't been the same since!
 
3. What has been your favourite episode of the podcast so far?
 
I would say I had a lot of fun recording the IT: Chapter 1 episode. I was really, really looking forward to seeing it and I had a ton of fun getting to finally talk about it. My top film of 2017. Although some films we choose to watch are bad, they can be fun to rip the piss out of, too.
 
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4. What is your Favourite horror subgenre? And what film would you recommend from it.
 
I am a massive sucker for the slasher subgenre. They're mostly all the same thing over and over again but it is still fun and very silly.
I would recommend the obvious mainstream slashers, of course. But I also really love Stage Fright and The Burning.
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5. Favourite horror film of ALL TIME?
 
This is easy. Scream! First one I watched and it opened up a whole new world of crazy things for me. As I grew up I understood the references from other films which made me love it more. I'd also say I appreciate it because Craven saved the dying slasher genre where there were just so many stupid sequels being churned out. It was a game changer.
 
6. Worst horror film you have seen?
 
I have seen a lot of trash. Like, A LOT. I always say the remake of The Wicker Man.. because.. I mean, come on. But one I hated from last year was Slenderman. It was just fucking ridiculous. But weirdly enough.. that is the film we're going to record about next week.. and absolutely tear it apart. It'll be a laugh.
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7. What advice would you give people who may want to start podcasting?
 
I had zero experience when I started CTGY. No idea about editing or promoting or anything. I think it's easier for me and Rich as we're best mates and we can just kick back and have a casual chat about horror films and it just comes naturally to us. But I'd say be confident. If it's your passion, I think it will just spill out. Smooth out the sound quality as much as you can, and promote, promote, promote. Engage with listeners a lot.
 
8. What is next for yourself and the podcast?
 
The IT: Chapter 2 trailer drops tomorrow so we're going to be watching it and then discussing it immediately after for a bonus episode. We did it for the trailer for the first film so why not do it for this one?
 
You can follow the Coming to Get You Podcast at the following social media outlets and website
 
Twitter @CTGYpodcast
Website http://comingtogetyoupodcast.wordpress.com
Kelly's Twitter @streetXXtrash
Rich's Twitter @richicrypt
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Interview: Mark interviews Evolution of Horror Host Mike Muncer

5/3/2019

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With the Snakebite Horrorcast Podcast heading to you ear holes this month I wanted to celebrate one of the best horror podcasts out there today, and to be honest one of the big inspirations for me starting the podcast. The Evolution of Horror podcast is the brain child of BFI's Mike Muncer which takes the listener on a journey through the evolution of the horror genre covering all the subgenres that horror has to horror. So far they have covered The Slasher, Folk Horror, Supernatural and are currently covering the Zombie Sub-Genre. Mike was kind enough to give up some of his time to answer a few questions, where he talks his favourite horror, his work at BFI and his advise for budding podcasters.


For people who may not know you tell us about yourself and how you got involved in the film business.

I’m a producer, which is one of those nonsense titles that could mean a thousand different things…but I work predominantly in TV, Film and Online video. I spent several years working on a film review programme at the BBC called Film 2019 (the title would change depending on the year!) It was a bit of a dream-come-true job, I got to meet famous film stars, go on film sets, meet lots of film critics, make lots of videos and edit lots of features. Since that show ended I’ve been doing lots of other film journalism and video…I make videos for the BFI (British Film Institute), Digital Spy, MTV, Disney, Netflix and other fun places!

How did the podcast come about?

Working in TV and digital video, it’s always about making everything SHORT and SNAPPY. I’ve always been obsessed with the horror genre, and one of my favourite pieces I made for the BBC film programme was a feature on the history of horror, featuring Kim Newman, Andy Nyman and a bunch of other legends in the horror industry. I’d shot and written enough material to make an entire 60 minute programme about the subject, but I was only allowed to make it 4 minutes max! I really love the relaxed, long-form nature of podcasts, and thought, why not put my producing skills (and my contacts book of film critics!) to good use and devote hundreds of hours to my favourite genre?


What was your entry point into horror?

My first taste of the scary and the macabre was the video to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I watched it aged 4 and was instantly obsessed. My family owned the VHS of the video and according to my parents I watched it repeatedly as a young child. It also had a ‘Making Of’ featurette after the video and I found that equally as fascinating. I think this gave birth to my love of horror and filmmaking. The first real horror movie experience was Scream (1996). I was 11 years old and terrified by the opening scene with Drew Barrymore but couldn’t stop watching. I loved it from start to finish. I didn’t get any of the “meta’ references the characters made, but it didn’t matter. In fact, it gave me titles to seek out, it was my gateway drug!


What has been your favourite seasons of the podcast?

My favourite sub-genre is probably ghostly / supernatural, so I loved doing the season on ghosts and covering some of my favourite movies like The Shining, The Innocents and The Orphanage…however, the season I’m most proud of is the one on Folk Horror. It’s such a strange sub-genre that’s hard to define and this gave me license to have so much fun with such and including such a variety of films. I got to somehow argue that The Night Of The Hunter, Straw Dogs, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Wicker Man, Get Out and The Blair Witch Project were all part of the same sub-genre. It sparked so much conversations, feedback and debates with the listeners. I loved it.

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Who has been your favourite guest / favourite episode so far?

There are so many, this feels like choosing my favourite child. Can I give you five? I loved episode 1 with Kim Newman, because…it’s Kim Newman! My favourite single film discussion would be The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Jamie Graham, because it’s my favourite ever horror film and because Jamie Graham is so incredibly insightful, funny, knowledgeable and interesting. Discussing BBC’s Ghostwatch with Boyd Hilton and its director Lesley Manning was an incredible treat, I’m proud of that episode. I always love having Jen Handorf on the show because she gives a unique insight as a film producer, so talks about movies like Dawn Of The Dead from a different perspective to most journalists and critics. I could also listen to Louise Blain all day long and she makes subjects I wouldn’t otherwise be interested in (like video games or The Conjuring movies) sound fascinating. But honestly, I love every single guest.


 Which non obvious sub-genre would you really like to look at in the future?

One that explores ‘the mind’…I’m not sure what you’d call it…psychological horror? Movies like Jacob’s Ladder, Repulsion and anything directed by David Lynch.


What is your Favourite subgenre? And what film would you recommend from it.

It’s got to be ghost movies. I love horror that scares me, and nothing is scarier than a well made ghost movie. I’d recommend The Innocents (1961) to anyone who hasn’t seen it. Don’t be fooled by thinking it’s a stuffy, old fashioned black & white movie. Watch it in the dark, with the volume up high. It’s still absolutely terrifying.
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Favourite horror film

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is the greatest horror movie ever made, I truly believe that. But it’s hard to watch over and over. My personal favourites that I can watch repeatedly are The Shining, The Wicker Man, Black Christmas, The Descent and The Night Of The Hunter. I realise I cheated and just named six.


Worst horror film you have seen?

The Nun (2018). Of course there are heaps of cheap rubbish horror films out there, but The Nun had buckets of money behind it, a director with a great track record, a creepy setting, scary backstory, a terrifying character, yet they still somehow managed to make it eye-rollingly dull. It’s almost impressive that it turned out as bad as it was.


What advice would you give people who may want to start podcasting?

You might think that making a podcast that’s about a broad topic like ‘film’ is going to get you more listeners, but in fact it’s the opposite, pick a niche instead: Horror movies, comics, sci-fi, heavy metal music, rap, Grange Hill, fishing, whatever it might be…something specific, it’s much more likely to find a passionate (and loyal) audience.


What is next for yourself and the podcast?

The zombie series will be ending in the next few weeks and then I’ll be kicking off series 5 later this year! But I can’t reveal what that is yet…I’ll also be doing some work with Frightfest in London in the summer.

You can find the evolution of horror pod over at https://evolutionofhorror.libsyn.com/ along with any podcasting format i.e iTunes.

You can also follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/EvolutionPod and over of Facebook.
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