Carolyn Moncrieffe
UWG’s International Film Committee partners with the Department of International Languages and Culture for the third time to present a night of International Horror Film Shorts on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Dr. Karen Dollinger, Ph.D. has been associated with the International Horror Shorts series since its inception in October 2021. She became involved when Dr. Robert Kilpatrick, Chair of the Department of English, Film, Languages, and Performing Arts drew upon her knowledge and interest in genre films and asked her to head the horror short presentations of UWG.
“I love genre films and genre literature, which includes fantasy, science fiction and horror,” says Dollinger.
She has also taught a class titled, Hispanic Science Fiction and Horror Films. During the spring semester the International Film Series showcases romantic shorts under the heading, Languages of Love. The spring presentation is headed by Dr. Anca Koczkas, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Spanish.
UWG’s third year of International Horror Shorts is free of charge and will showcase films from Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico and Spain. The French films were selected by French language arts students, films from Germany were recommended by Dr. Felix Tweraser, Professor of German, and Dollinger chose the Spanish films.
“The horror shorts run from two minutes to a half-hour and highlight the genre from the very scary to the very funny,” says Dollinger. “The films touch on every topic and this year includes an animated horror short.
“The purpose of the International Horror Short Film series is to expose and educate the university community to what goes on in the rest of the world regarding the horror genre,” continues Dollinger.
“Horror speaks to something in the human experience and transcends culture,” continues Dollinger. “Good horror films border on the unexpected as well teaching the viewing audience compassion. Really good horror makes the viewer feel for the characters.
“Though not of the international horror genre, is a perfect example of teaching the viewer compassion,” continues Dollinger. “The basic premise of the film is scary but serves to reveal how people need to come together to survive.”
If past attendance is an indication of community interest, Dr. Dollinger expresses excitement regarding this presentation and expects a healthy turn-out. The viewing consists of an hour and a half of film shorts and concludes with a half hour of audience Q&A.
“The Q&A is usually very, very lively,” says Dollinger.
The 2023 installment of the International Horror Short series will be held Tuesday, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. in TLC Room 1301. The viewer is warned, prepare to be scared!