Faculty of Horror

By Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West

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Followers
Typical duration
54 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Faculty of Horror episodes

June 19, 2018 Episode 63. Play Dead: Funny Games (1997)
What constitutes a film? What constitutes a podcast episode description? Andrea and Alex ask these questions (okay, maybe not that last one) and more in this month’s episode. By plundering the depths of filmic conventions, audience expectations and interpersonal contracts, Michael Haneke’s Funny Games asks the hard questions for which there are many answers.
REQUIRED READING
Funny Games. Dir. Michael Haneke, 1997.
EXTRA CREDIT
Class of 2018 t-shirts. Limited edition Faculty of Horror t-shirts are available until September from Twisted Ts through the end of September! Order yours today.
Salem Horror Fest. We’ll be back October 12-14! Get your tickets now.
Faculty of Horror subreddit. Keep the conversation going on our subreddit page.
The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman. Symbolic interactionism and dramaturgical analysis.
Bertolt Brecht. Avant-garde theatre practioner who believed in distancing an audience to encourage rational thought over emotional engagement.
Anne Dufourmantelle. The Philosophy of Hospitality. An exploration of the people involved in the dynamics of hospitality.
Jacques Derrida on Hospitality. The French philosopher’s take on the conditional and unconditional concepts of hospitality.
The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle. Alex’s new book is available now through McFarland Books!
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1 hr 11 min
May 23, 2018 Episode 62. Surveilled: Peeping Tom (1960) and Psycho (1960)

In this episode, Alex and Andrea look through an illicit peephole into the world of the mad and macabre. Both Peeping Tom and Psycho caused sensations when they were released in the same year, causing Western audiences to question the nature of evil, our proximity to one another and how many women we can watch die on screen.
REQUIRED READING
Peeping Tom. Dir. Michael Powell, 1960.
Psycho. Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1960.
EXTRA CREDIT
Class of 2018 T-shirts – Get ’em while their hot!

Salem Horror Fest – We’ll be back October 12-14! Get your tickets now.

Visual Pleasure in Narrative Cinema. Laura Mulvey’s groundbreaking essay on the cinematic gaze

Men, Women and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film. Carol Clover’s genre-defining book from 1992.
“Have You Ever Seen the inside of One of Those Places?”: Psycho, Foucault, and the Postwar Context of Madness. Cynthia Erb’s essay on institutionalization and Psycho.
Michael Powell’s ‘Peeping Tom’: the film that killed a career. An overview of the release and reaction to Peeping Tom.
The Misogyny of the Modern Slasher Film. Anna Biller’s blog post about the slasher sub-genre.
LISTEN
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1 hr 27 min
April 27, 2018 Episode 61. Stardust: Event Horizon (1997) and Sunshine (2007)
Andrea and Alex reach for the heavens and find the furthest reaches of hell with two films about space exploration and the darkness therein. Event Horizon and Sunshine explore the different reasons humankind would dare try to conquer space and the horrors that might await us there.
REQUIRED READING
Event Horizon. Dir Paul W.S. Anderson, 1997.
Sunshine. Dir Danny Boyle, 2007.
EXTRA CREDIT
Class of 2018 t-shirts! Available until September 2018 – get ’em at Twisted Ts!
Death Count: All of the Deaths in the Friday the 13th Film Series, Illustrated by Stacie Ponder.
The Making of Event Horizon. Check out all the behind the scenes stories and detailed production history.
Event Horizon‘s shooting draft of the script.
The Myth of Oedipus. The Greek myth and the importance of sight.
Mad, Bad and Dangerous? The Scientist and the Cinema by Christopher Frayling. A book that specifically looks at the personalities of on-screen scientists.

Reasons Behind Cult Suicide. A look at the reasons and psychology behind mass suicide and why most of the “suicide cults” also involve a fair amount of homicide.

Kermode Uncut Film Club: Sunshine. British critic Mark Kermode talks about appreciating Danny Boyle’s Sunshine.
LISTEN
Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
0 min
April 27, 2018 Episode 61. Stardust: Event Horizon (1997) and Sunshine (2007)
Andrea and Alex reach for the heavens and find the furthest reaches of hell with two films about space exploration and the darkness therein. Event Horizon and Sunshine explore the different reasons humankind would dare try to conquer space and the horrors that might await us there.
REQUIRED READING
Event Horizon. Dir Paul W.S. Anderson, 1997.
Sunshine. Dir Danny Boyle, 2007.
EXTRA CREDIT
Class of 2018 t-shirts! Available until September 2018 – get ’em at Twisted Ts!
Death Count: All of the Deaths in the Friday the 13th Film Series, Illustrated by Stacie Ponder.
The Making of Event Horizon. Check out all the behind the scenes stories and detailed production history.
Event Horizon‘s shooting draft of the script.
The Myth of Oedipus. The Greek myth and the importance of sight.
Mad, Bad and Dangerous? The Scientist and the Cinema by Christopher Frayling. A book that specifically looks at the personalities of on-screen scientists.
Reasons Behind Cult Suicide. A look at the reasons and psychology behind mass suicide and why most of the “suicide cults” also involve a fair amount of homicide.
Kermode Uncut Film Club: Sunshine. British critic Mark Kermode talks about appreciating Danny Boyle’s Sunshine.
LISTEN
Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
1 hr 32 min
March 26, 2018 Episode 60. Season of the Witch: Witches in Film Part 3, The Witch (2015) and The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
The past few years have seen the figure of the witch become a cultural touchstone for progressives and conservatives alike. From the resurgence of astrology, tarot, and natural healing methods to feminist rallying cry, the witch has never been more inclusive or divisive. Through analysis of two recent films, Andrea and Alex examine the witch’s new meaning in contemporary Western society, and why she remains a symbol of subversive feminism.
REQUIRED READING
The VVitch: A New England Folktale. Dir. Robert Eggers, 2015.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Dir. André Øvredal, 2016.
EXTRA CREDIT
Yes, This Is a Witch Hunt. I’m a Witch and I’m Hunting You. Lindy West’s New York Times Op-Ed on the misappropriation of the term witch-hunt during the rise of the #MeToo movement.
Why the Witch Is the Pop-Culture Heroine We Need Right Now – A look at why the figure of the witch has become so deservedly popular.
Satanic Feminism by Per Faxneld. Faxneld’s book on the Devil as liberator of women in the nineteenth century.
The Book of English Magic – An overview of the real and perceived magic used across the British Isles, with a chapter dedicated to witches and witchcraft.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe post-screening Q & A – Following a showing at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, stars Emile Hirsh, Brian Cox and director André Øvredal talk about the making of The Autopsy of Jane Doe.

Francisco Goya’s Black Paintings.

The Satanic Temple – Activism and critical film appreciation, apparently.

W.I.T.C.H. PDX – The figure of the witch adopted for anonymous activism in Portland. Start a local coven near you!
LISTEN
Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
0 min
March 26, 2018 Episode 60. Season of the Witch: Witches in Film Part 3, The Witch (2015) and The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
The past few years have seen the figure of the witch become a cultural touchstone for progressives and conservatives alike. From the resurgence of astrology, tarot, and natural healing methods to feminist rallying cry, the witch has never been more inclusive or divisive. Through analysis of two recent films, Andrea and Alex examine the witch’s new meaning in contemporary Western society, and why she remains a symbol of subversive feminism.
REQUIRED READING
The VVitch: A New England Folktale. Dir. Robert Eggers, 2015.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Dir. André Øvredal, 2016.
EXTRA CREDIT
Yes, This Is a Witch Hunt. I’m a Witch and I’m Hunting You. Lindy West’s New York Times Op-Ed on the misappropriation of the term witch-hunt during the rise of the #MeToo movement.
Why the Witch Is the Pop-Culture Heroine We Need Right Now – A look at why the figure of the witch has become so deservedly popular.
Satanic Feminism by Per Faxneld. Faxneld’s book on the Devil as liberator of women in the nineteenth century.
The Book of English Magic – An overview of the real and perceived magic used across the British Isles, with a chapter dedicated to witches and witchcraft.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe post-screening Q & A – Following a showing at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, stars Emile Hirsh, Brian Cox and director André Øvredal talk about the making of The Autopsy of Jane Doe.
Francisco Goya’s Black Paintings.
The Satanic Temple – Activism and critical film appreciation, apparently.
W.I.T.C.H. PDX – The figure of the witch adopted for anonymous activism in Portland. Start a local coven near you!
LISTEN
Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
1 hr 35 min
February 26, 2018 Episode 59. In Plain Sight: The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s terrifying cult classic stands the test of time in many regards – from the practical effects, to the performances to the storytelling, there’s little about the film that doesn’t work. Andrea and Alex tackle the film and its stances on leadership, paranoia, the notion of discovery, and more over a bottle of Jim Beam.
REQUIRED READING
The Thing. Dir. John Carpenter, 1982.
EXTRA CREDIT
Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Robin R. Means Coleman. An in-depth look at Black culture and representation through the lens of horror films.
Aids as Monster in Science Fiction by Edward Guerrero.
Filmnoia, or How Fear Permeated Cinema. George Wead’s history of perception and paranoia in North American films.
You Must Remember This podcast – the Blacklist series.
The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 board game. Can you survive the infection?
LISTEN
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0 min
February 26, 2018 Episode 59. In Plain Sight: The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s terrifying cult classic stands the test of time in many regards – from the practical effects, to the performances to the storytelling, there’s little about the film that doesn’t work. Andrea and Alex tackle the film and its stances on leadership, paranoia, the notion of discovery, and more over a bottle of Jim Beam.
REQUIRED READING
The Thing. Dir. John Carpenter, 1982.
EXTRA CREDIT
Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Robin R. Means Coleman. An in-depth look at Black culture and representation through the lens of horror films.
Aids as Monster in Science Fiction by Edward Guerrero.
Filmnoia, or How Fear Permeated Cinema. George Wead’s history of perception and paranoia in North American films.
You Must Remember This podcast – the Blacklist series.
The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 board game. Can you survive the infection?
LISTEN
Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
1 hr 7 min
January 22, 2018 Episode 58. A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste: 2017 Year in Review
Come for the bloopers, stay for our favourite films of 2017, the A’s to your burning Q’s and the friendship challenge rematch!
EXTRA CREDIT
Salem Horror Fest! Thank you for having us!
NPR’s Code Switch – a great episode on Black identity in horror and in Jordan Peele’s Get Out.
The Get Out Syllabus – From our friends at Graveyard Shift Sisters, all you could want to know and more about Get Out and more!
TIFF Long Takes : How Horror Slayed the Competition – Alex’s guest spot on the TIFF podcast.
CONTEST! Win a copy of issue #1 of GRIM MAGAZINE! To enter, tell us your favorite horror film of 2017 in the comments section below. Winners will be selected and notified February 15, 2018. [The winner has been selected and notified. Thanks to everyone who entered!]
LISTEN
Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
0 min
January 22, 2018 Episode 58. A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste: 2017 Year in Review
Come for the bloopers, stay for our favourite films of 2017, the A’s to your burning Q’s and the friendship challenge rematch!
EXTRA CREDIT
Salem Horror Fest! Thank you for having us!
NPR’s Code Switch – a great episode on Black identity in horror and in Jordan Peele’s Get Out.
The Get Out Syllabus – From our friends at Graveyard Shift Sisters, all you could want to know and more about Get Out and more!
TIFF Long Takes : How Horror Slayed the Competition – Alex’s guest spot on the TIFF podcast.
CONTEST! Win a copy of issue #1 of GRIM MAGAZINE! To enter, tell us your favorite horror film of 2017 in the comments section below. Winners will be selected and notified February 15, 2018. [The winner has been selected and notified. Thanks to everyone who entered!]
LISTEN
Right click or option-click here and choose “Save Target As…” to download the mp3.
2 hr 18 min