If a band can boast of the rebirth of modern horror, it's Blumhouse Productions. The company, managed by Jason Blum, has published a large number of Screamer hits in recent years, including The purge and Come out. But although its productions are numerous, the company has not yet released in cinemas a horror film directed by a woman (although she has released non-horror films of directors).
At the recent request of Polygon why, Blum tried to name the directors with whom he tried to work (Jennifer Kent, who barred The Babadook, for example), and then paddling: "There are not many women directors, let alone who are prone to horror," he said. It took, oh, about five minutes for the Internet check his comment by naming dozens of women directors who have released such films. And just hours after the backlash, Blum apologized on Twitter, calling himself for his "silly comments."
"I made a stupid mistake," he wrote. "I've been talking too quickly about a serious problem, a subject that fascinates me."
Here is the statement in its entirety:
Thank you all for calling me on my stupid comments in this
interview. I made a stupid mistake. I've been talking too quickly about a
serious problem – a subject that fascinates me. More than 50% of our
the audience is a woman. More than 50% of Blumhouse executives are women. Some
among our most successful franchises are anchored by women including the
an opening tomorrow / today, led by the greatest female legend of this
kind. But we did not work well enough with women
directors and it's not because they do not exist. I have heard many
aujourd & # 39; hui. My passion has become mute. And for that I'm sorry.
I will do better.
In the interview Polygon, writer Matt patches noted that Blum "had seemed shocked" by realizing that over the past 12 years, his company had never produced a horror film directed by a woman. "We are still trying to do that," said Blum. "We are not trying to do it because of recent events. We have always tried. "
He also praised Kent, who made waves in 2014 with his first feature film: "Jennifer Kent. I offered him all the available movies. She refused me every time. "
Blum then tried to name another specific director, but he could not remember his name. With the help of his team, he finally found out who he thought: Leigh Janiak, the filmmaker behind the 2014 independent horror film Honeymoon. He added that his team had also proposed many projects, but that nothing had materialized. Janiak confirmed to Polygon that she had met Blum, but scheduling conflicts have hindered potential collaborations. "We will work together on something, someday soon," she wrote.
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Dr. Caligari's office">
Dr. Caligari's office
Because nothing says more horror than a German Expressionist film of 1920. This classic on a murderous hypnotist is now a source of inspiration for its revolutionary cinematography and sheer skill, plus a gorgeous black film that's just as good. a real horror story.
Photo: Everett collection.
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Dracula
The original cinematographic adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel is a must for moviegoers. She is the mother of all vampire movies, with an indelible performance by Bela Lugosi and a truly lush cinematography. (This single scene of Dracula's awakening of women is pure beauty.) Moreover, it's 1930s– There is no way that it scares you.
Photo: Everett collection.
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psycho
Ah, yet another classic that all moviegoers should have in their back pocket. The seminal thriller Alfred Hitchcock shocked audiences in 1960 with his jarring shower scene and ultimate screenplay, but it's not horrible to see modern viewers the same way. Hitchcock was more focused on suspense than fear of jumping, even if Pyscho always gives you a good dose of chills.
Photo: Paramount / Kobal / REX / Shutterstock.
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Carrie
Speaking of old movies that are not scary by modern standards, Brian De Palma adaptation of this Stephen King novel about a high school girl victim of bullying with a zealous mother is still a flag bearer who frightened people at the time of his release. It's now a kind of 1970s hokey aesthetic that will not leave viewers more used to sophisticated special effects.
Photo: From United Artists / Kobal / REX / Shutterstock.
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ParaNorman
This stop-motion children's comedy is a joyous story about a boy who sees dead people. (For the scary version, go streaming The sixth sense.) It's more a tale of arrival with sincere laughter and spooky creatures for good measure.
Photo: Focus Features / Everett Collection.
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What we do in the shade
A little like Shaun, this 2014 mockumentary flips a genre on its head, mocking the wild and sexy tradition of vampires. Written and directed by the best of New Zealand, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, The film also talks about a trio of vampires who live daily, splitting up housework, trying to get guest in nightclubs – which takes a turn when they have to take in a new 20-year-old vampire.
Photo: Moviestore / REX / Shutterstock.
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get out
Do not make mistakes: Jordan Peele's An excellent first film is a horror film from one side to the other, with very disturbing twists. But the horror does not rest on twisted jumping fears or unsightly violence; instead, it is taken into account in the brilliant social commentary of the film on modern racism. And if that's not enough, take another wimp, it's a horror that you can move.
Photo: From Universal / Everett Collection.