"Film Noire:" Black Horror Cinema and Its Catharsis

In this short session we will engage in the work of catharsis. We will explore how Black Cinematic Horror has always told the hidden histories of the ancestors and provided the emotional release we need.

We will watch short films and clips from feature-length films to dissect the way Film Noire such as Jordan Peele's "Get Out," Kasi Lemmons' "Eve's Bayou," and Bernard Rose's "Candyman" (1992) serve as a pulse for Black cultural thought. We will also broaden the definition of horror to include classics like Toni Morrison's Beloved and other Black literary giants.

We will engage in reading and writing exercises with film and fiction prompts to lead the workshop toward a place of exploration of our own histories, generational cycles, and cultural monsters.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.