{"id":14170,"date":"2013-12-02T08:30:11","date_gmt":"2013-12-02T08:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/?p=14170"},"modified":"2013-12-01T20:55:28","modified_gmt":"2013-12-01T20:55:28","slug":"guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/","title":{"rendered":"[Guest
Post] Our Sinister Sisters: the Girl Monster on Screen"},"content":{"rendered":"
<ul>
  \n
  <li>
    <em
      >This guest post was originally pitched for Halloween &#8211; big
      apologies to our guest writer <a
      href=\"http:\/\/i-conoclastic.co.uk\/illumination\/\"
      target=\"_blank\"><strong
        >Ruth Sullivan<\/strong><\/a> that the ed being unwell prevented it
        going up earlier. We reckon it&#8217;s still a great read any time of
        the year (and if you&#8217;re in London and enjoying or about to start
        enjoying the BFI&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bfi.org.uk\/gothic\"
        target=\"_blank\">Gothic season<\/a>, which runs into January, this is
        an excellent primer!). If you have a guest post a-brewing, <a
        href=\"mailto:badrepeditors@gmail.com?subject=pitch\">email us on
        badrepeditors@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        <p>
          The nights have drawn in, there\u2019s a chill in the air and
          it\u2019s that time of year where I like to do what I, admittedly,
          like to do pretty much the rest of the year: gather the family around
          a nice cosy horror film and scare the bejeezus out of
          ourselves.<\/p>\n
        </p>
        <p>
          <a
          href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Draculas-Daughter.jpg\"><img
          data-attachment-id=\"14244\"
          data-permalink=\"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/draculas-daughter\/\"
          data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Draculas-Daughter.jpg?fit=220%2C563&amp;ssl=1\"
          data-orig-size=\"220,563\" data-comments-opened=\"1\"
          data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"
          data-image-title=\"Dracula&#8217;s Daughter\"
          data-image-description=\"\"
          data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Draculas-Daughter.jpg?fit=117%2C300&amp;ssl=1\"
          data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Draculas-Daughter.jpg?fit=220%2C563&amp;ssl=1\"
          loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-14244\"
          alt=\"Dracula's Daughter\"
          src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Draculas-Daughter-117x300.jpg?resize=117%2C300\"
          width=\"117\" height=\"300\"
          srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Draculas-Daughter.jpg?resize=117%2C300&amp;ssl=1
          117w,
          https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Draculas-Daughter.jpg?w=220&amp;ssl=1
          220w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 117px) 100vw, 117px\"
          data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>I\u2019m especially fortunate, living
          in Brighton, that there\u2019s a thriving scene of horror fanatics,
          including the founders of the <a
          href=\"http:\/\/www.classichorrorcampaign.com\/\"
          target=\"_blank\"><strong
            >Classic Horror Campaign<\/strong><\/a>, whose raison d&#8217;etre
            is to bring back British horror to our TV screens and who run a
            brilliant occasional horror film festival called Frighten
            Brighton.<\/p>\n
            <p>
              Last year they ran a day of screenings that traversed the decades
              from the Thirties to the Seventies. It was fascinating to watch an
              intricate snapshot of women in horror unfolding before me,
              reflective of Hollywood&#8217;s complex relationship with
              sexuality, equality, objectification and empowerment.<\/p>\n
            </p>
            <p>
              In just the five films screened &#8211;
              <strong
                >Mad Love<\/strong>,
                <strong
                  >The Cat People<\/strong>,
                  <strong
                    >Them<\/strong>,
                    <strong
                      >Plague of the Zombies<\/strong> and
                      <strong
                        >Phantasm<\/strong> &#8211; a gamut of femininity was
                        presented, from virginal innocent to sexual seductress,
                        strident powerful woman to flailing damsel in distress,
                        repressed lesbian to swooning romantic.<\/p>\n
                        <p>
                          In almost all these films there is a notable slide
                          towards objectification; the woman\u2019s body as a
                          object of desire for the monster or mad scientist, the
                          virginal sacrificial lamb, or the slutty cannon fodder
                          helpless to avert her fate. This is reflective of the
                          wider problems within a genre that still churns out
                          women&#8217;s bodies to be fondled, fucked, kidnapped
                          and sliced up.<\/p>\n
                        </p>
                        <p>
                          The brilliant, feminist-principled <a
                          href=\"http:\/\/www.womeninhorrormonth.com\/\"
                          target=\"_blank\"><strong
                            >Women in Horror Recognition Month<\/strong><\/a>
                            campaign<sup
                              ><a href=\"#footnote_0_14170\"
                              id=\"identifier_0_14170\" class=\"footnote-link
                              footnote-identifier-link\" title=\" Ed&rsquo;s
                              Tiny Note: We were ambassadors for the 2013 WiHM
                              campaign, and you can read the blogfest we curated
                              for it here. \">1<\/a><\/sup> recognises this
                              difficult relationship with horror. Their campaign
                              illustrates that it can be one of the most
                              objectifying genres, but is also an important
                              genre for exploring a vast array of issues &#8211;
                              power, psyche, politics, social constructs, war,
                              violence, gender &#8211; and therefore that
                              it\u2019s important that women\u2019s roles are
                              recognised and supported.<\/p>\n
                              <p>
                                They provide a platform for women directors,
                                writers, actors and aficionados to get their
                                work seen and to address issues within the
                                industry, as well as misogyny in the genre.
                                They&#8217;ve also used social media, blogging
                                and film festivals to explore what horror has to
                                contribute to the female narrative.<\/p>\n
                              </p>
                              <p>
                                <a
                                href=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cat-People.jpg\"><img
                                data-attachment-id=\"14243\"
                                data-permalink=\"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/cat-people\/\"
                                data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cat-People.jpg?fit=220%2C294&amp;ssl=1\"
                                data-orig-size=\"220,294\"
                                data-comments-opened=\"1\"
                                data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"
                                data-image-title=\"Cat People\"
                                data-image-description=\"\"
                                data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cat-People.jpg?fit=220%2C294&amp;ssl=1\"
                                data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cat-People.jpg?fit=220%2C294&amp;ssl=1\"
                                loading=\"lazy\"
                                src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Cat-People.jpg?resize=220%2C294\"
                                alt=\"Cat People\" width=\"220\" height=\"294\"
                                class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-14243\"
                                data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>It\u2019s a
                                massive area to dig into. There\u2019s been a
                                swathe of material written about women as
                                survivors in horror films &#8211; they occupy a
                                myriad of roles: the Final Girl, the matriarch
                                (all hail Ellen Ripley!), the victim who finds
                                her nerve and the avenging angel survivor
                                &#8211; frequently a victim of sexual violence.
                                <\/p>\n
                              </p>
                              <p>
                                It\u2019s a rich seam to explore, and
                                there\u2019s a whole other vein to mine
                                exploring the ones who live and the ones who die
                                in horror movies, and what this represents
                                metaphorically, culturally and politically.
                                Equally, there\u2019s a huge area to address
                                when it comes to representations of race in
                                horror &#8211; for example, why the last one to
                                live is often a white woman (think
                                <strong
                                  >Night of the Living Dead<\/strong>). But what
                                  about when women themselves are the stuff of
                                  nightmares?<\/p>\n
                                  <p>
                                    Women aren&#8217;t always the victims in
                                    horror, and whilst there have been
                                    significant problems in the history of the
                                    genre, it has also been willing to explore
                                    areas of female experience that other genres
                                    just weren&#8217;t ready for, often at times
                                    when it would have been deeply contentious
                                    to make a film that discussed, say,
                                    sexuality or sexual violence, let alone the
                                    fact that you\u2019d still be hard pushed to
                                    find a film about what a nightmare getting
                                    your period can be! There are numerous
                                    examples of fantastic writing and
                                    performances in horror that explore the
                                    feminine diabolique whilst also touching on
                                    real world issues underneath.<\/p>\n
                                  </p>
                                  <p>
                                    1936\u2019s
                                    <strong
                                      >Dracula\u2019s Daughter<\/strong> is a
                                      fine example of how horror can reflect
                                      both the cultural perception of women and
                                      the abiding social currents, as well as
                                      exploring key issues for women through the
                                      figure of a female monster. It was
                                      produced as part of the Universal stable
                                      of horror films, following directly on the
                                      heels of Tod Browning\u2019s
                                      <strong
                                        >Dracula<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
                                        <p>
                                          Gloria Holden plays the troubled and
                                          lonely Countess Zaleska, desperate to
                                          cure herself of vampirism. She tries
                                          both the occult and psychiatry before
                                          giving in to her bloodlust. The film
                                          is a Gothic delight, and Holden is
                                          dark and intense, quietly terrifying
                                          and tragic at the same time.<\/p>\n
                                        </p>
                                        <p>
                                          The film barely contains its sapphic
                                          undertones. Zaleska lingers over her
                                          female victims, covets their bodies
                                          and beauty, and prowls the streets at
                                          night in search of blood. The countess
                                          is very much a creature of her time in
                                          cinematic history, reflecting both the
                                          notion that homosexuality was
                                          considered a psychiatric malaise, and
                                          the censorship movements of the 1930s,
                                          with the <a
                                          href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Motion_Picture_Production_Code\"
                                          target=\"_blank\">Hays Code<\/a> being
                                          introduced just a few years before.
                                          This was the first regulation code for
                                          cinema, reflecting religious and
                                          conservative views that any deviant
                                          behaviour had to be hidden, including
                                          sexual acts, prostitution, white
                                          slavery and homosexuality. The film is
                                          also a shining example of the
                                          demonisation of homosexuality, the
                                          portrayal of lesbians as predatory and
                                          dangerous and this is reflected in the
                                          scene where Zaleska attacks a young
                                          model, Lili.<\/p>\n
                                        </p>
                                        <p>
                                          1942\u2019s
                                          <strong
                                            >Cat People<\/strong> likewise has a
                                            female monster at its heart. Irena
                                            moves to New York from Serbia,
                                            falling in love with the charming
                                            Oliver and marrying him. Underneath
                                            the surface, however, is the secret
                                            that she is descended from a wild
                                            people who can turn themselves into
                                            cats. Irena seems convinced that if
                                            she gives in to her passions she
                                            will lose control and turn into a
                                            cat herself &#8211; and her marriage
                                            becomes strained by a lack of
                                            intimacy.<\/p>\n
                                            <p>
                                              Again, there is subtext around
                                              psychology, sexual repression and
                                              the power in a woman unleashing
                                              her sexuality. There is also a
                                              queer subtext as Irena stalks her
                                              husband&#8217;s mistress, Alice,
                                              and her inner cat is unleashed,
                                              suggesting that the repression she
                                              felt was her sexuality rather than
                                              her lack of ardour for her
                                              husband. All this is neatly tucked
                                              away from the heavy-handed
                                              censors, but easily
                                              readable.<\/p>\n
                                            </p>
                                            <p>
                                              <a
                                              href=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Ginger-Snaps.jpg\"><img
                                              data-attachment-id=\"14242\"
                                              data-permalink=\"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/ginger-snaps\/\"
                                              data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Ginger-Snaps.jpg?fit=220%2C321&amp;ssl=1\"
                                              data-orig-size=\"220,321\"
                                              data-comments-opened=\"1\"
                                              data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"
                                              data-image-title=\"Ginger Snaps\"
                                              data-image-description=\"\"
                                              data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Ginger-Snaps.jpg?fit=205%2C300&amp;ssl=1\"
                                              data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Ginger-Snaps.jpg?fit=220%2C321&amp;ssl=1\"
                                              loading=\"lazy\"
                                              src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Ginger-Snaps-205x300.jpg?resize=205%2C300\"
                                              alt=\"Ginger Snaps\" width=\"205\"
                                              height=\"300\" class=\"alignright
                                              size-medium wp-image-14242\"
                                              srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Ginger-Snaps.jpg?resize=205%2C300&amp;ssl=1
                                              205w,
                                              https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Ginger-Snaps.jpg?w=220&amp;ssl=1
                                              220w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 205px)
                                              100vw, 205px\"
                                              data-recalc-dims=\"1\"
                                              \/><\/a>Horror provided a way to
                                              express and explore female
                                              sexuality as complex and powerful
                                              &#8211; although again, it&#8217;s
                                              a sign of the times that it was
                                              also dangerous and deadly. Both
                                              films provided bold
                                              representations of female sex and
                                              sexuality at a time when it just
                                              wouldn&#8217;t have been possible
                                              to do so in a straightforward
                                              feature film. Although the subtext
                                              was ultimately tragic and fatal,
                                              it was a fair reflection of both
                                              the turmoil of coming to terms
                                              with being queer and the risk of
                                              society\u2019s response if the
                                              fact was made public. Horror was
                                              the perfect cypher.<\/p>\n
                                            </p>
                                            <p>
                                              Moving forward, horror has
                                              continued to provide the perfect
                                              medium to explore these themes.
                                              The female monster has been a
                                              great platform for exploring
                                              puberty and all its commensurate
                                              delights: it\u2019s all blood,
                                              mayhem and rage, after all. Think
                                              <strong
                                                >Carrie<\/strong> at the prom,
                                                exploding with fear, confusion
                                                and violence at her tormentors,
                                                triggered by her menstruation.
                                                Think Ginger in
                                                <strong
                                                  >Ginger Snaps<\/strong> (2000)
                                                  &#8211; first period, first
                                                  full moon, morphing to
                                                  discover her sense of
                                                  identity, her confidence and
                                                  her sexual liberation.<\/p>\n
                                                  <p>
                                                    Both
                                                    <strong
                                                      >Carrie<\/strong> and
                                                      <strong
                                                        >Ginger Snaps<\/strong>
                                                        are reflective of the
                                                        fact that we are also
                                                        still culturally trained
                                                        to view periods and
                                                        puberty with a sense of
                                                        revulsion. There are
                                                        several key moments in
                                                        <strong
                                                          >Ginger
                                                          Snaps<\/strong> where
                                                          adult characters view
                                                          menstruation with
                                                          disgust, implying that
                                                          the girls should be
                                                          ashamed of even
                                                          speaking about it. Our
                                                          bodies are the centre
                                                          of the change in
                                                          puberty, and this is
                                                          interpreted into a
                                                          kind of body horror,
                                                          where the confusion,
                                                          pain, hormones of
                                                          puberty are projected
                                                          outwards.<\/p>\n
                                                          <p>
                                                            <a
                                                            href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Carrie.jpg\"><img
                                                            data-attachment-id=\"14241\"
                                                            data-permalink=\"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/carrie\/\"
                                                            data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Carrie.jpg?fit=220%2C337&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                            data-orig-size=\"220,337\"
                                                            data-comments-opened=\"1\"
                                                            data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"
                                                            data-image-title=\"Carrie\"
                                                            data-image-description=\"\"
                                                            data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Carrie.jpg?fit=195%2C300&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                            data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Carrie.jpg?fit=220%2C337&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                            loading=\"lazy\"
                                                            src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Carrie-195x300.jpg?resize=195%2C300\"
                                                            alt=\"Carrie\"
                                                            width=\"195\"
                                                            height=\"300\"
                                                            class=\"alignleft
                                                            size-medium
                                                            wp-image-14241\"
                                                            srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Carrie.jpg?resize=195%2C300&amp;ssl=1
                                                            195w,
                                                            https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Carrie.jpg?w=220&amp;ssl=1
                                                            220w\"
                                                            sizes=\"(max-width:
                                                            195px) 100vw,
                                                            195px\"
                                                            data-recalc-dims=\"1\"
                                                            \/><\/a>Carrie
                                                            acquires powers to
                                                            impact on the world
                                                            around her to be
                                                            able to make herself
                                                            visible, powerful
                                                            and a force to be
                                                            reckoned with for
                                                            the first time.
                                                            Ginger starts to pay
                                                            attention to and
                                                            receive attention
                                                            from her peers
                                                            &#8211; she becomes
                                                            a sexual being as
                                                            well as a creature
                                                            of rage. Bianca
                                                            Nielson\u2019s
                                                            fascinating article
                                                            <a
                                                            href=\"http:\/\/www.thirdspace.ca\/journal\/article\/viewArticle\/nielsen\/176\"
                                                            target=\"_blank\"><strong
                                                              >Something&#8217;s
                                                              Wrong, Like More
                                                              Than You Being
                                                              Female<\/strong><\/a>
                                                              delves even
                                                              further into
                                                              <strong
                                                                >Ginger
                                                                Snaps<\/strong>\u2019
                                                                representation
                                                                of puberty and
                                                                is well worth a
                                                                read.<\/p>\n
                                                                <p>
                                                                  What is great
                                                                  about the film
                                                                  is the way
                                                                  that Brigitte
                                                                  and Ginger
                                                                  deconstruct
                                                                  their
                                                                  experiences
                                                                  together,
                                                                  sharing their
                                                                  views of their
                                                                  society, their
                                                                  bodies, and of
                                                                  their
                                                                  relationships.
                                                                  It&#8217;s
                                                                  notable how
                                                                  isolated
                                                                  Brigitte
                                                                  becomes when
                                                                  she can no
                                                                  longer share
                                                                  Ginger\u2019s
                                                                  experiences.
                                                                  Although these
                                                                  conversations
                                                                  revolve around
                                                                  the
                                                                  fantastical,
                                                                  trying to deal
                                                                  with
                                                                  Ginger\u2019s
                                                                  \u2018wolfing
                                                                  out\u2019,
                                                                  they\u2019re
                                                                  also painfully
                                                                  familiar.<\/p>\n
                                                                </p>
                                                                <p>
                                                                  The female
                                                                  monster also
                                                                  allows us
                                                                  opportunity to
                                                                  address
                                                                  expectations
                                                                  of the female
                                                                  body. Hammer
                                                                  has a lot to
                                                                  answer for
                                                                  when it comes
                                                                  to heaving
                                                                  bosoms and
                                                                  frail victims
                                                                  in flimsy
                                                                  nighties, but
                                                                  in
                                                                  <strong
                                                                    >Countess
                                                                    Dracula<\/strong>
                                                                    (1971) it
                                                                    also
                                                                    addressed
                                                                    ageing. In
                                                                    particular,
                                                                    it addressed
                                                                    the fear of
                                                                    no longer
                                                                    meeting the
                                                                    expectation
                                                                    that women
                                                                    should be
                                                                    beautiful,
                                                                    and the
                                                                    anxiety that
                                                                    to age means
                                                                    to no longer
                                                                    be
                                                                    desirable.<\/p>\n
                                                                    <p>
                                                                      <a
                                                                      href=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Countess-Dracula.jpg\"><img
                                                                      data-attachment-id=\"14240\"
                                                                      data-permalink=\"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/countess-dracula\/\"
                                                                      data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Countess-Dracula.jpg?fit=260%2C195&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                      data-orig-size=\"260,195\"
                                                                      data-comments-opened=\"1\"
                                                                      data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"
                                                                      data-image-title=\"Countess
                                                                      Dracula\"
                                                                      data-image-description=\"\"
                                                                      data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Countess-Dracula.jpg?fit=260%2C195&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                      data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Countess-Dracula.jpg?fit=260%2C195&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                      loading=\"lazy\"
                                                                      src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Countess-Dracula.jpg?resize=260%2C195\"
                                                                      alt=\"Countess
                                                                      Dracula\"
                                                                      width=\"260\"
                                                                      height=\"195\"
                                                                      class=\"alignright
                                                                      size-full
                                                                      wp-image-14240\"
                                                                      data-recalc-dims=\"1\"
                                                                      \/><\/a>The
                                                                      countess,
                                                                      fearing
                                                                      the loss
                                                                      of her
                                                                      young
                                                                      lovers,
                                                                      takes to
                                                                      bathing in
                                                                      the blood
                                                                      of virgins
                                                                      to retain
                                                                      her youth.
                                                                      Played by
                                                                      horror
                                                                      queen
                                                                      Ingrid
                                                                      Pitt, she
                                                                      was also
                                                                      rooted in
                                                                      the real
                                                                      life
                                                                      <strong
                                                                        >Elizabeth
                                                                        Bathory<\/strong>,
                                                                        who was
                                                                        imprisoned
                                                                        for
                                                                        murdering
                                                                        over 80
                                                                        women
                                                                        and
                                                                        allegedly
                                                                        bathing
                                                                        in their
                                                                        blood.
                                                                        <strong
                                                                          >Countess
                                                                          Dracula<\/strong>
                                                                          is a
                                                                          silly,
                                                                          campy
                                                                          horror
                                                                          film,
                                                                          but it
                                                                          also
                                                                          manages
                                                                          to
                                                                          contain
                                                                          moments
                                                                          of
                                                                          poignancy,
                                                                          especially
                                                                          as the
                                                                          countess
                                                                          is
                                                                          forced
                                                                          to
                                                                          face
                                                                          her
                                                                          fate
                                                                          &#8211;
                                                                          old,
                                                                          hated
                                                                          and
                                                                          done
                                                                          for.
                                                                          It\u2019s
                                                                          not a
                                                                          cheery
                                                                          message,
                                                                          but
                                                                          it&#8217;s
                                                                          a fair
                                                                          reflection
                                                                          of the
                                                                          cultural
                                                                          obsession
                                                                          with
                                                                          youth
                                                                          and
                                                                          beauty.<\/p>\n
                                                                          <p>
                                                                            The
                                                                            girl
                                                                            monster
                                                                            also
                                                                            allows
                                                                            us
                                                                            to
                                                                            explore
                                                                            the
                                                                            idea
                                                                            that
                                                                            what\u2019s
                                                                            outside
                                                                            doesn&#8217;t
                                                                            necessarily
                                                                            reflect
                                                                            what\u2019s
                                                                            inside
                                                                            &#8211;
                                                                            ideas
                                                                            around
                                                                            appearances
                                                                            that
                                                                            fall
                                                                            outside
                                                                            the
                                                                            norms
                                                                            of
                                                                            society,
                                                                            the
                                                                            idea
                                                                            that
                                                                            \u2018the
                                                                            other\u2019
                                                                            isn&#8217;t
                                                                            necessarily
                                                                            horrific,
                                                                            and
                                                                            the
                                                                            idea
                                                                            that
                                                                            monsters,
                                                                            conversely,
                                                                            can
                                                                            come
                                                                            in
                                                                            appealing
                                                                            packages.
                                                                            This
                                                                            is
                                                                            especially
                                                                            powerful
                                                                            when
                                                                            it
                                                                            challenges
                                                                            perceived
                                                                            notions
                                                                            of
                                                                            womanhood
                                                                            and
                                                                            beauty.<\/p>\n
                                                                          </p>
                                                                          <p>
                                                                            <a
                                                                            href=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Rotld3.jpg\"><img
                                                                            data-attachment-id=\"14239\"
                                                                            data-permalink=\"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/rotld3\/\"
                                                                            data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Rotld3.jpg?fit=220%2C320&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                            data-orig-size=\"220,320\"
                                                                            data-comments-opened=\"1\"
                                                                            data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"
                                                                            data-image-title=\"Rotld3\"
                                                                            data-image-description=\"\"
                                                                            data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Rotld3.jpg?fit=206%2C300&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                            data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Rotld3.jpg?fit=220%2C320&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                            loading=\"lazy\"
                                                                            src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Rotld3-206x300.jpg?resize=206%2C300\"
                                                                            alt=\"Rotld3\"
                                                                            width=\"206\"
                                                                            height=\"300\"
                                                                            class=\"alignleft
                                                                            size-medium
                                                                            wp-image-14239\"
                                                                            srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Rotld3.jpg?resize=206%2C300&amp;ssl=1
                                                                            206w,
                                                                            https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Rotld3.jpg?w=220&amp;ssl=1
                                                                            220w\"
                                                                            sizes=\"(max-width:
                                                                            206px)
                                                                            100vw,
                                                                            206px\"
                                                                            data-recalc-dims=\"1\"
                                                                            \/><\/a>In
                                                                            <strong
                                                                              >Return
                                                                              of
                                                                              the
                                                                              Living
                                                                              Dead
                                                                              3<\/strong>,
                                                                              reluctant
                                                                              zombie
                                                                              Julie
                                                                              bodily
                                                                              punishes
                                                                              herself
                                                                              because
                                                                              she\u2019s
                                                                              no
                                                                              longer
                                                                              wholesome
                                                                              and
                                                                              good.
                                                                              She
                                                                              uses
                                                                              pain
                                                                              and
                                                                              piercing
                                                                              to
                                                                              control
                                                                              herself
                                                                              and
                                                                              to
                                                                              make
                                                                              her
                                                                              outside
                                                                              appearance
                                                                              reflect
                                                                              the
                                                                              badness
                                                                              she
                                                                              feels
                                                                              within,
                                                                              self-harming,
                                                                              cutting,
                                                                              modifying
                                                                              and
                                                                              piercing
                                                                              until
                                                                              she
                                                                              loses
                                                                              control.
                                                                              Again,
                                                                              on
                                                                              the
                                                                              surface
                                                                              it\u2019s
                                                                              a
                                                                              silly
                                                                              film,
                                                                              but
                                                                              it\u2019s
                                                                              a
                                                                              powerful
                                                                              scene
                                                                              when
                                                                              we
                                                                              begin
                                                                              to
                                                                              unpick
                                                                              the
                                                                              body
                                                                              as
                                                                              an
                                                                              object
                                                                              of
                                                                              aberration
                                                                              for
                                                                              young
                                                                              women.
                                                                              When
                                                                              Julie
                                                                              modifies
                                                                              herself
                                                                              she
                                                                              appears
                                                                              dangerous
                                                                              and
                                                                              sinister,
                                                                              but
                                                                              ultimately
                                                                              she\u2019s
                                                                              still
                                                                              Julie
                                                                              underneath
                                                                              &#8211;
                                                                              she\u2019s
                                                                              still
                                                                              a
                                                                              young
                                                                              woman
                                                                              mortified
                                                                              by
                                                                              herself.<\/p>\n
                                                                              <p>
                                                                                This
                                                                                issue
                                                                                is
                                                                                also
                                                                                brilliantly
                                                                                addressed
                                                                                in
                                                                                last
                                                                                year&#8217;s
                                                                                breakthrough
                                                                                horror
                                                                                <strong
                                                                                  >American
                                                                                  Mary<\/strong>.
                                                                                  Filmed
                                                                                  by
                                                                                  twins
                                                                                  Jen
                                                                                  and
                                                                                  Sylvia
                                                                                  Soska,
                                                                                  and
                                                                                  from
                                                                                  their
                                                                                  point
                                                                                  of
                                                                                  view
                                                                                  explicitly
                                                                                  feminist,
                                                                                  it
                                                                                  deals
                                                                                  with
                                                                                  the
                                                                                  world
                                                                                  of
                                                                                  extreme
                                                                                  body
                                                                                  modification
                                                                                  &#8211;
                                                                                  carried
                                                                                  out
                                                                                  by
                                                                                  trainee
                                                                                  doctor
                                                                                  Mary.<\/p>\n
                                                                                  <p>
                                                                                    The
                                                                                    modified
                                                                                    women
                                                                                    are
                                                                                    deeply
                                                                                    challenging
                                                                                    representations
                                                                                    of
                                                                                    femininity
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    beauty.
                                                                                    Their
                                                                                    appearances
                                                                                    are
                                                                                    shocking
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    extreme,
                                                                                    although
                                                                                    underneath,
                                                                                    they
                                                                                    are
                                                                                    caring
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    gentle
                                                                                    despite
                                                                                    seeming
                                                                                    monstrous.
                                                                                    This
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    exemplified
                                                                                    by
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    character
                                                                                    Ruby
                                                                                    Realdoll,
                                                                                    who
                                                                                    desires
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    become
                                                                                    sexless
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    doll-like.
                                                                                    Her
                                                                                    body
                                                                                    has
                                                                                    been
                                                                                    cut
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    sliced
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    become
                                                                                    featureless
                                                                                    &#8211;
                                                                                    monstrous
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    accepted
                                                                                    notion
                                                                                    of
                                                                                    beauty,
                                                                                    but
                                                                                    beautiful
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    her
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    vital
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    her
                                                                                    self
                                                                                    acceptance.
                                                                                    The
                                                                                    modification
                                                                                    has
                                                                                    dire
                                                                                    consequences
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    accurately
                                                                                    reflects
                                                                                    how
                                                                                    society
                                                                                    rejects
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    other,
                                                                                    often
                                                                                    violently.<\/p>\n
                                                                                  </p>
                                                                                  <p>
                                                                                    <a
                                                                                    href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/American-Mary.jpg\"><img
                                                                                    data-attachment-id=\"14247\"
                                                                                    data-permalink=\"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2013\/12\/02\/guest-post-our-sinister-sisters-the-girl-monster-on-screen\/american-mary\/\"
                                                                                    data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/American-Mary.jpg?fit=220%2C314&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                                    data-orig-size=\"220,314\"
                                                                                    data-comments-opened=\"1\"
                                                                                    data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\"
                                                                                    data-image-title=\"American
                                                                                    Mary\"
                                                                                    data-image-description=\"\"
                                                                                    data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/American-Mary.jpg?fit=210%2C300&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                                    data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/American-Mary.jpg?fit=220%2C314&amp;ssl=1\"
                                                                                    loading=\"lazy\"
                                                                                    src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/American-Mary-210x300.jpg?resize=210%2C300\"
                                                                                    alt=\"American
                                                                                    Mary\"
                                                                                    width=\"210\"
                                                                                    height=\"300\"
                                                                                    class=\"alignright
                                                                                    size-medium
                                                                                    wp-image-14247\"
                                                                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/American-Mary.jpg?resize=210%2C300&amp;ssl=1
                                                                                    210w,
                                                                                    https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/badreputation.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/American-Mary.jpg?w=220&amp;ssl=1
                                                                                    220w\"
                                                                                    sizes=\"(max-width:
                                                                                    210px)
                                                                                    100vw,
                                                                                    210px\"
                                                                                    data-recalc-dims=\"1\"
                                                                                    \/><\/a>Mary
                                                                                    herself
                                                                                    &#8211;
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    \u2018normal\u2019
                                                                                    girl
                                                                                    &#8211;
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    herself
                                                                                    made
                                                                                    monstrous,
                                                                                    violent
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    increasingly
                                                                                    amoral.
                                                                                    In
                                                                                    part,
                                                                                    this
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    due
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    societal
                                                                                    pressures
                                                                                    on
                                                                                    her,
                                                                                    including
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    fact
                                                                                    that
                                                                                    surgery
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    a
                                                                                    boys&#8217;
                                                                                    club
                                                                                    from
                                                                                    which
                                                                                    she
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    excluded
                                                                                    as
                                                                                    a
                                                                                    young
                                                                                    woman.
                                                                                    It
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    also
                                                                                    in
                                                                                    part
                                                                                    caused
                                                                                    by
                                                                                    an
                                                                                    awful
                                                                                    attack
                                                                                    carried
                                                                                    out
                                                                                    by
                                                                                    someone
                                                                                    who
                                                                                    presents
                                                                                    themselves
                                                                                    as
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    nice
                                                                                    guy
                                                                                    &#8211;
                                                                                    nice
                                                                                    job,
                                                                                    caring
                                                                                    profession,
                                                                                    well
                                                                                    respected,
                                                                                    known
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    Mary.
                                                                                    It\u2019s
                                                                                    a
                                                                                    very
                                                                                    challenging
                                                                                    scene,
                                                                                    mostly
                                                                                    because
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    directors
                                                                                    don\u2019t
                                                                                    allow
                                                                                    you
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    look
                                                                                    away,
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    because
                                                                                    they
                                                                                    refuse
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    fetishise
                                                                                    it
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    make
                                                                                    it
                                                                                    more
                                                                                    bearable.
                                                                                    Horror
                                                                                    reflects
                                                                                    reality
                                                                                    &#8211;
                                                                                    as
                                                                                    the
                                                                                    directors
                                                                                    themselves
                                                                                    said,
                                                                                    there
                                                                                    are
                                                                                    no
                                                                                    cutaways
                                                                                    in
                                                                                    real
                                                                                    life.<\/p>\n
                                                                                  </p>
                                                                                  <p>
                                                                                    Importantly,
                                                                                    though,
                                                                                    Mary
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    also
                                                                                    not
                                                                                    a
                                                                                    particularly
                                                                                    nice
                                                                                    person.
                                                                                    She
                                                                                    looks
                                                                                    stunning,
                                                                                    but
                                                                                    she
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    not
                                                                                    what
                                                                                    we
                                                                                    expect.
                                                                                    She
                                                                                    is
                                                                                    sharp
                                                                                    edged,
                                                                                    cold,
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    self-absorbed;
                                                                                    neither
                                                                                    a
                                                                                    fluffy
                                                                                    air-headed
                                                                                    beauty
                                                                                    nor
                                                                                    a
                                                                                    bookish
                                                                                    high
                                                                                    achiever.
                                                                                    Horror
                                                                                    allows
                                                                                    us
                                                                                    to
                                                                                    subvert
                                                                                    some
                                                                                    accepted
                                                                                    tropes
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    often
                                                                                    spits
                                                                                    cultural
                                                                                    expectations
                                                                                    and
                                                                                    stereotypes
                                                                                    back
                                                                                    in
                                                                                    our
                                                                                    faces.
                                                                                    The
                                                                                    fact
                                                                                    that
                                                                                    <strong
                                                                                      >American
                                                                                      Mary<\/strong>
                                                                                      has
                                                                                      generated
                                                                                      so
                                                                                      much
                                                                                      discussion
                                                                                      about
                                                                                      what
                                                                                      is
                                                                                      and
                                                                                      isn\u2019t
                                                                                      feminist
                                                                                      cinema
                                                                                      is
                                                                                      fantastic.<\/p>\n
                                                                                      <p>
                                                                                        Mainstream
                                                                                        cinema
                                                                                        is
                                                                                        still
                                                                                        deeply
                                                                                        prescriptive
                                                                                        about
                                                                                        how
                                                                                        women
                                                                                        can
                                                                                        act,
                                                                                        talk
                                                                                        and
                                                                                        be
                                                                                        &#8211;
                                                                                        the
                                                                                        girl
                                                                                        monster
                                                                                        refuses
                                                                                        to
                                                                                        be
                                                                                        chained
                                                                                        by
                                                                                        these
                                                                                        prescriptions.
                                                                                        Horror
                                                                                        is
                                                                                        a
                                                                                        brilliant,
                                                                                        bloody
                                                                                        palate
                                                                                        for
                                                                                        our
                                                                                        real
                                                                                        issues,
                                                                                        and
                                                                                        as
                                                                                        a
                                                                                        result
                                                                                        it&#8217;s
                                                                                        provided
                                                                                        a
                                                                                        forum
                                                                                        for
                                                                                        us
                                                                                        to
                                                                                        to
                                                                                        talk
                                                                                        about
                                                                                        being
                                                                                        a
                                                                                        woman
                                                                                        in
                                                                                        a
                                                                                        way
                                                                                        that
                                                                                        other
                                                                                        genres
                                                                                        could
                                                                                        only
                                                                                        dream
                                                                                        of.<\/p>\n
                                                                                      </p>
                                                                                      <p>
                                                                                        Of
                                                                                        course
                                                                                        we
                                                                                        should
                                                                                        enjoy
                                                                                        the
                                                                                        thrill
                                                                                        of
                                                                                        being
                                                                                        scared.
                                                                                        Of
                                                                                        course
                                                                                        we
                                                                                        should
                                                                                        immerse
                                                                                        ourselves
                                                                                        in
                                                                                        the
                                                                                        delight
                                                                                        of
                                                                                        a
                                                                                        silly
                                                                                        campy
                                                                                        horror
                                                                                        or
                                                                                        a
                                                                                        terrifying
                                                                                        splatterfest
                                                                                        &#8211;
                                                                                        and
                                                                                        no,
                                                                                        I&#8217;m
                                                                                        not
                                                                                        suggesting
                                                                                        that
                                                                                        every
                                                                                        horror
                                                                                        fest
                                                                                        should
                                                                                        be
                                                                                        an
                                                                                        exercise
                                                                                        in
                                                                                        cinematic
                                                                                        analytical
                                                                                        criticism.
                                                                                        But
                                                                                        I
                                                                                        love
                                                                                        our
                                                                                        sinister
                                                                                        sisters.
                                                                                        They&#8217;ve
                                                                                        been
                                                                                        reclaiming
                                                                                        the
                                                                                        night
                                                                                        for
                                                                                        decades.<\/p>\n
                                                                                      </p>
                                                                                      <ul>
                                                                                        \n
                                                                                        <li>
                                                                                          <em
                                                                                            ><strong
                                                                                              >Ruth
                                                                                              Sullivan<\/strong>
                                                                                              is
                                                                                              a
                                                                                              children&#8217;s
                                                                                              charity
                                                                                              worker
                                                                                              by
                                                                                              day
                                                                                              and
                                                                                              avid
                                                                                              gamer
                                                                                              and
                                                                                              consumer
                                                                                              of
                                                                                              pop
                                                                                              culture
                                                                                              by
                                                                                              night.
                                                                                              A
                                                                                              former
                                                                                              teacher
                                                                                              and
                                                                                              history
                                                                                              nerd,
                                                                                              she
                                                                                              blogs
                                                                                              in
                                                                                              a
                                                                                              personal
                                                                                              capacity
                                                                                              at
                                                                                              <a
                                                                                              href=\"i-conoclastic.co.uk\/illumination\"
                                                                                              target=\"_blank\"><strong
                                                                                                >i-conoclastic<\/strong><\/a>
                                                                                                and
                                                                                                is
                                                                                                part
                                                                                                of
                                                                                                the
                                                                                                reviews
                                                                                                team
                                                                                                for
                                                                                                <a
                                                                                                href=\"http:\/\/www.close-upfilm.com\/\"
                                                                                                target=\"_blank\"><strong
                                                                                                  >Close-Up
                                                                                                  Film<\/strong><\/a>.
                                                                                                  She
                                                                                                  tweets
                                                                                                  as
                                                                                                  <a
                                                                                                  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/littlespy\"
                                                                                                  target=\"_blank\"><strong
                                                                                                    >@littlespy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol
                                                                                                    class=\"footnotes\"><li
                                                                                                    id=\"footnote_0_14170\"
                                                                                                    class=\"footnote\">
                                                                                                    Ed&#8217;s
                                                                                                    Tiny
                                                                                                    Note:
                                                                                                    We
                                                                                                    were
                                                                                                    ambassadors
                                                                                                    for
                                                                                                    the
                                                                                                    2013
                                                                                                    WiHM
                                                                                                    campaign,
                                                                                                    and
                                                                                                    you
                                                                                                    can
                                                                                                    read
                                                                                                    the
                                                                                                    blogfest
                                                                                                    we
                                                                                                    curated
                                                                                                    for
                                                                                                    it
                                                                                                    <a
                                                                                                    href=\"http:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/tag\/women-in-horror-recognition-month\/\"
                                                                                                    target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.
                                                                                                    [<a
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                                                                                                                          <p>
                                                                                                                            Horror
                                                                                                                            can
                                                                                                                            be
                                                                                                                            one
                                                                                                                            of
                                                                                                                            the
                                                                                                                            most
                                                                                                                            objectifying
                                                                                                                            genres,
                                                                                                                            but
                                                                                                                            horror
                                                                                                                            is
                                                                                                                            also
                                                                                                                            an
                                                                                                                            important
                                                                                                                            genre
                                                                                                                            for
                                                                                                                            exploring
                                                                                                                            a
                                                                                                                            vast
                                                                                                                            array
                                                                                                                            of
                                                                                                                            issues
                                                                                                                            &#8211;
                                                                                                                            power,
                                                                                                                            psyche,
                                                                                                                            politics,
                                                                                                                            social
                                                                                                                            constructs,
                                                                                                                            war,
                                                                                                                            violence,
                                                                                                                            gender.<\/p>\n<div
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                                                                                                                                          >
                                                                                                                                        </ul></span
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                                                                                                                                ></span
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                                                                                                      >
                                                                                                    </ul></strong
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                                                                                              ></strong
                                                                                            ></em
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                                                                        ></strong
                                                                      >
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                                                                  >
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                                                        ></strong
                                                      ></strong
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                                              >
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                                          >
                                        </p></strong
                                      ></strong
                                    >
                                  </p></strong
                                >
                              </p></sup
                            ></strong
                          >
                        </p></strong
                      ></strong
                    ></strong
                  ></strong
                ></strong
              >
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          >
        </p></strong
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    >
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</ul>