Jennifer Kent’s THE BABADOOK (2014) features accidental, flamboyant queer icon, “Mister Babadook”. It’s a powerfully trauma-informed film about a grieving Mum and her distressed child who are terrorised by the cut-out paper nightmare that launched a million memes. A commercially successful original horror from a debut female filmmaker – when there are still far too few of both! – THE BABADOOK tackles one of the last taboos of parenthood – what if your baby’s not an angel?
How queer is THE BABADOOK? It depends on how deep you dive… Starting as a tumblr joke and given a boost by Netflix in Pride Month 2017, Mister Babadook’s queer credentials rest on the idea of the suburban rejection of difference (literally, they even try to burn his gay agenda!). There’s a huge dose of queer joy and creativity in those memes too. As Sara Clements writes in them: “THE BABADOOK isn’t just a movie; it's a symbol for the queer reclamation of horror movie monsters”.
Experience this classic anew with our sensational draw-along screening (you can just watch the film if you’d rather!). Token Homo from Queer Horror Nights will be there to introduce the queer history of THE BABADOOK and Finn from Queer Art Club London will guide you through the art of spontaneous sketching (materials provided). Stay afterwards for a Queer Cinema Social, sharing your thoughts and sketches about the film and mingling with other audience members.
SCHEDULE
Doors: 18:30
Film & Sketching Intro: 19:00
Film Starts: 19:30 - please note the film will start promptly at 19:30!
THE FILLY BROOK
If you've never been to The Filly Brook, you're in for a treat. We actually held out first ever Queer Horror Nights screening there back in September 2021. The Filly Brook is full accessible and just a few minutes from Leytonstone tube station (6 mins walk) they have an extensive beer list - 18 on tap(!) including a wonderful selection on alcohol-free beers too. Their wines are mostly organic and low-intervention and their food menus never, ever dissapoint! We think you'll rather like it.
WAIT, THERE'S MORE!…
If you find yourself rather enjoying the sketch-along, then there will be a linked workshop with even more gorgeous creativity from Queer Art Club London (Saturday 15th July). In the workshop, you’ll make a DIY pop-up book celebrating your own coming out story (suburban or otherwise!) taking inspiration from amazing 3D paper artists and exploring techniques of paper cutting and folding, charcoal, chalks and collage.
Grab your tickets for that here.