Horror Noire (2nd Edition)

A History of Black American Horror from the 1890s to Present

De: Robin R. Means Coleman

Narrado por: Julienne Irons

Duración: 17 h y 27 m

Resumen del Editor

From King Kong to Candyman, the boundary-pushing genre of horror film has always been a site for provocative explorations of race in American popular culture. This book offers a comprehensive chronological survey of Black horror from the 1890s to present day.

In this second edition, Robin R. Means Coleman expands upon the history of notable characterizations of Blackness in horror cinema, with new chapters spanning the 1960s, 2000s, and 2010s to the present, and examines key levels of Black participation on screen and behind the camera. The book addresses a full range of Black horror films, including mainstream Hollywood fare, art-house films, Blaxploitation films, and US hip-hop culture-inspired Nollywood films. This edition also explores the resurgence of the Black horror genre in the last decade, examining the success of Jordan Peele's films Get Out and Us, smaller independent films such as The House Invictus, and Nia DaCosta's sequel to Candyman. Means Coleman argues that horror offers a unique representational space for Black people to challenge negative or racist portrayals, and to portray greater diversity within the concept of Blackness itself.

This book is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand how fears and anxieties about race and race relations are made manifest, and often challenged, on the silver screen.

©2023 Robin R. Means Coleman (P)2023 Tantor

An indispensable reference for horror fans, film scholars, and aspiring filmmakers

An indispensable reference for horror fans, film scholars, and aspiring filmmakers covering Black contributions and representation in horror from the early days of Oscar Micheaux to modern horror auteur Jordan Peele.
Comprehensive and, at times, challenging of beloved "classic" films, Robin R. Means Coleman walks the reader through a chronological history of film and its relationship to Black culture, warts and all. Readers, such as myself, who are not part of Black culture will likely learn much and have their perceptions challenged in a persuasive, academic, and very readable manner.
I listened to this as an Audiobook, but will be investing in a print version for easy reference. Put it on the shelf next to the Pauline Kael, Roger Ebert, and Leonard Maltin books: This is a keeper.
Perhaps a little dry and academic for some, but I like my dry non-fiction when it's interesting, accessible, and informative- Horror Noire delivers on all three.