Kenahorror! Behind the Evil Eye - Jewish Lore that Begat the Horror Genre

Kenahorror! Behind the Evil Eye - Jewish Lore that Begat the Horror Genre

Strangely garbed hominids gather for their weekly ritual: chanting as the sun sets, they begin their night of revelry. Dressed in finery, wearing distinctive head coverings, they ignite flames and howl in peculiar tongues, drink from gilded vessels the juice of plump fruit in the prime of life, and tear a braided body to shreds. The rite culminates in an indulgent hedonistic feast punctuated with raucous song and discourse on their ancient myths.

Throughout history the stories, myths, and fears by and about Jewish customs and Jewish people have been used to create literature, film and art, often without the consent of, or input from, the people depicted. It is a little known fact that most scary books and films that predate nuclear war feature these stories that cast Jewish folklore and traditions as something to be feared. In this series we will illuminate how Jewish stereotypes became the foothold for the genre of horror as we know it today.

For the inaugural event we present the Yiddish folktale "The Finger" and screen Tim Burton's Corpse Bride which is based upon this Jewish story, yet never acknowledged. Discussion following the film.

Sliding Scale $7-$18

Your facilitators: 

Miss Petra is a film and folklore nerd, professional aerialist, and co-founder of Prismagic Circus

Andrine is a queer Jewish American Priestess, and creator of the Hebrunes Oracle