1st Edition

Post-9/11 Heartland Horror Rural horror films in an era of urban terrorism

By Victoria McCollum Copyright 2017
    154 Pages
    by Routledge

    154 Pages
    by Routledge

    This book explores the resurgence of rural horror following the events of 9/11, as a number of filmmakers, inspired by the films of the 1970s, moved away from the characteristic industrial and urban settings of apocalyptic horror, to return to American heartland horror. Examining the revival of rural horror in an era of city fear and urban terrorism, the author analyses the relationship of the genre with fears surrounding the Global War on Terror, exploring the films’ engagement with the political repercussions of 9/11 and the ways in which traces of traumatic events leave their mark on cultures.



    Arranged around the themes of dissent, patriotism, myth, anger and memorial, and with attention to both text and socio-cultural context in its interpretation of the films’ themes, Post-9/11 Heartland Horror offers a series of case studies covering a ten-year period to shed light on the manner in which the Post-9/11 Heartland Horror films scrutinize and unravel the events, aspirations, anxieties, discourses, dogmas, and socio-political conflicts of the post-9/11 era. As such, it will appeal to scholars and students of film studies, cultural studies and media studies, and those with interests in the relationship between popular culture and politics.

    Foreword by Emily Satterwhite



    Preface



    Introduction



    1. The Unbearable Unrightness of the Righteous & Sympathy for the Devil: War on Dissent, Forced Loyalties & Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects (2005)



    2. Divided We Fall: Fear God! & Loathe Thy Neighbour: Bush’s Demand For Patriotic Correctness & Smith’s Red State (2011)



    3. The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together: Contesting Truth, Contempt For Weakness & Paxton’s Frailty (2002)



    4. Malev(i)olence, Malevolence & Misogyny: 9/11, Gender, Torture & McKee’s The Woman (2011)



    5. ‘Knock ‘Em Dead’: Bush’s White House Of Horrors: Post-9/11 Memorial Mania & Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat (2007)



    Conclusion



    References



    Films Cited



    Music Cited



    Index

    Biography

    Victoria McCollum is Lecturer in Cinematic Arts in the School of Creative Arts and Technologies at Ulster University (Northern Ireland).