Interview: Monstrous Flesh on Journal 2, the Notts film community, upcoming podcasts and more
Local movie expert Clelia McElroy chats about all things horror...
For those who don't know, what is the Monstrous Flesh Journal and how did it come about?
The Monstrous Flesh Journal is a zine exploring the representation of women and non-binary people in horror and folklore, using a feminist lens. Issue 1 is a collection of articles, reviews and artworks inspired by the folk horror film season HIDEOUS THING INSIDE (July-August 2023), curated in collaboration with The Screen at Nottingham Contemporary. The film season delved into fairytales and folklore to explore the concept of the ‘feral feminine’.
Initially, the idea beyond the journal was to create a legacy document of this amazing collaboration - more for us than anything else, if I’m honest! We had no idea there would be such a great response to it. As we started receiving pitches for articles, we were able to develop two strands for the journal - one dealing with the six films we screened as part of the season, and the other one addressing the concept of the monstrous feminine on a larger scale.
We are so grateful for the support we have received from the Nottingham cultural community and the horror community at large
How did you find the reaction to Journal 1, and why should people go back and check it out?
We were blown away by the positive reactions to the first issue of the Monstrous Flesh Journal. Our motivation for publishing this journal was to create a piece that commemorates our collaboration with The Screen at Nottingham Contemporary, which was a significant milestone for us. So to regularly receive orders for the journal from different corners of Europe and the US feels like a huge validation. It shows that the themes we are discussing resonate with many people, which is not only gratifying but also a testament to the strength and creativity of the contributors who made this journal possible.
People should definitely go back and check out Issue 1 because it offers a unique blend of articles, reviews, and artworks inspired by a groundbreaking film season. Whether you are a fan of folk horror, interested in gender studies, or simply appreciate thought-provoking content and gorgeous artwork, the Monstrous Flesh Journal has something valuable to offer.
What can people expect from Journal 2?
Issue 2 of the journal is looking at the concept of ‘fakelore’ in horror cinema (modern tales and legends that are presented as folklore but are, in fact, recent inventions). This issue will delve into how fakelore, urban legends, and cryptids shape the cultural zeitgeist, with a particular focus on the representation of women within these narratives.
Think ‘Candyman’, ‘The Blair Witch Project’, ‘Hellraiser’… all the way to creepy pasta such as Slenderman or cryptids like the Chupacabra!
We encourage submissions that challenge, reinterpret, or subvert the definition of fakelore, offering new insights and critical perspectives.
We are so excited about this new issue and have already received some terrific pitches for articles and reviews!
You can check out the full call for submissions on our website and social media accounts.
It feels like the Nottingham cultural community has really celebrated and supported this effort - with the likes of the Contemporary stocking it on their shelves. How have you found that support and how do you plan to continue growing these connections?
We are so grateful for the support we have received from the Nottingham cultural community and the horror community at large. The Shop at the Contemporary and Five Leaves Bookshop stock the journal, and it’s such a huge honour seeing it sitting on their shelves next to well-established zines like ‘Hellebore’, ‘Weird Walk’, and ‘The Nottingham Horror Collective’!
We certainly want to keep fostering these relationships and building new connections. Our plan is to continue collaborating with local cultural institutions and bookshops to reach a wider audience and create a dialogue around the themes we explore in the journal. Our goal is to contribute meaningfully to the vibrant cultural landscape here and to continue providing a platform for diverse voices in horror and folklore.
We have just finished recording the second season season of the podcast, which focuses on the representation of the witch archetype in horror cinema around the world, and we have a few bonus episodes lined up as well
Looking more widely, it feels like an exciting time for horror at the moment, with the likes of ‘MaXXXine’ and blockbuster fare like ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ and ‘Alien: Romulus’ on the cards for the summer. How are you finding the horror scene right now, and how do you reflect contemporary horror themes and developments in your work?
It's an incredibly exciting time for horror: I’m internally screaming while writing this and thinking about ‘MaXXXine’, but also ‘Longlegs’ and ‘Nosferatu’… And it’s also great seeing A24 turning their attention to the streaming market with a show like ‘I Saw the TV Glow’, which will hopefully get a UK release soon. It certainly feels like horror is once again pushing boundaries and exploring new, complex narratives that resonate with a wide audience.
Everything we do together with Monstrous Flesh, both with the journal and the podcast, is about reflecting and engaging with these contemporary horror themes and developments. We see contemporary horror as a fertile ground for challenging traditional tropes and providing deeper, more nuanced characterisations. Our goal is to provide a platform that not only reflects the current state of horror but also pushes its boundaries, encouraging audiences to think critically about the genre and its cultural implications.
Outside of Journal 2, what else is on the horizon for Monstrous Flesh?
We have just finished recording the second season season of the podcast, which focuses on the representation of the witch archetype in horror cinema around the world, and we have a few bonus episodes lined up as well - we send each other frantic voice notes on a daily basis talking about the latest films we’ve seen and how we ‘must’ cover that next, so it’s safe to say the podcast will remain our focus for some time yet!
This July, we are taking part in the Gothic Futures Summer Institute at Sheffield Hallam University, leading a workshop on Podcasting and Academia.
We also both have articles and book chapters currently in the works, and I am planning a series of talks and a new film course for the autumn, looking at female villains in horror and thriller cinema.
You can buy Monstrous Flesh Journal 1 now.