The Power of Indigenous Horror
The Power of Indigenous Horror
by river whittle
Blending ideas of futurism, pain, trauma, power, terror, history, and humor, Native horror is uniquely situated amidst other horror genres to inform past, present, and future.
As a community that is masterful in transforming pain into medicine, we have many role models to look up to when considering creative outlets for channeling negativity. We have musicians like Tanya Tagaq, who are masters of mixing darkness with Indigenous storytelling and creating something breathtakingly beautiful. We have films like Blood Quantum, which combine Indigenous reality mixed with classic horror movie settings to project ourselves into a post apocalyptic world where we are survivors. We have comics like the Dear Woman: An Anthology, which include use of dark themes to tell stories about protecting those most vulnerable in our communities.
As Natives, we understand that everything is related. The artists choosing to dive into the darker side of life and fantasy, no matter the media, pave the way for us to express our pain, discomforts, anger, and fear. For us to deepen our relationship to the night, to silence, to our own selves, that which may make us uncomfortable, but which we do not need to hide from. These artists allow us to acknowledge the full spectrum of our universe (not just the light), and sometimes provide a cathartic release for the more intense energy we may otherwise hold inside.
Some say we, as Indigenous Peoples, have already experienced the end of the world, thus making our insight into a genre so obsessed with apocalypse extremely keen. Below are some short films / trailers of Indigenous horror films that tell stories that we want to hear. Enjoy!
White Noise: An Indigenous Horror Film
“Brought to you by a collective of Indigenous youth including Corey Ashley, Kenaba Hatathlie, and River Whittle, White Noise is an experimental short film about the struggle that Indigenous people face amidst colonialism. Considering intersectionality, the protagonist represents someone who exists at multiple margins within their Indigenous community, whether that be identities oppressed by racism, classism, ableism, sexism, and/or homophobia. So turn the lights off, turn the sound up, and prepare to sit in a dark meditation on violence, pain, fear, and suffering.”
Bearwalker
Watch here: https://vimeo.com/113942485
“Bearwalker is the story of a supernatural force at work in a small community where prejudice, injustice, corruption and revenge are simmering just below the surface. It is a dramatic and compelling tale of four Aboriginal sisters’ struggles with the powerful and menacing spirit of the Bearwalker, an evil force that takes possession of and tears apart several lives in the town.” Created in 2001 by director Shirley Cheechoo.
The Darkside
Rent on: iTunes.
“The award-winning creative force behind the exquisite Samson & Delilah return with a groundbreaking and unnerving project... true stories from the other side. Aboriginal people live on the threshold of two worlds -- one of everyday reality and the other of spirits, demons and entities. They can live an ordinary life with dead ancestors and demons all vying for space. Director Warwick Thornton assembles a collection of poignant, sad, funny and absurd ghost tales from across Australia and brings them to life with some of Australia's most iconic actors as the storytellers. Honest, matter-of-fact firsthand accounts illuminate a black perspective on the other side.”