23 June 2004

‘Cultural Nightmares’ opens its doors

‘Cultural Nightmares’, a special two day conference at the University of Dundee will bring together postgraduates and leading academics from across the UK to explore themes around the horror genre from an investigation of the uncanny aspects of 9/11 to the growing links between horror and computer games. The event will also open to the public on Friday evening for a lecture and screening of George A. Romero’s 1978 film, ‘Martin’.

From Manchester Metropolitan University, postgraduate student James Scott will examine the uncanny aspects of 9/11. As the world watched aghast as the events of 9/11 unfolded on their television screens, for many there was an uncanny feeling that they had seen these events before. With mainstream American films such as Towering Inferno, Independence Day and the Matrix depicting disasters on an enormous scale, James will point out that it does leave the public with a feeling that they have seen it all before. He will examine certain movies that before 9/11 almost anticipated the event and explain that after 9/11 the ghost of urban disaster still haunts the American psyche.

University of Dundee’s Ross Thompson explores the horror angle now prevalent in mainstream computer games. ‘Survival Horror’ titles, the predominantly Japanese games, excel in their ability to genuinely unnerve the player. Game makers manipulate the emotions of their audience in the same way a director of horror films would, employing atmospherics, background music and grisly special effects. Ross will examine the popular Silent Hill game series that revolves around a disquieting storyline of child abuse, occultism and infanticide much like a gruelling horror film. Along with top selling games ‘Resident Evil’ and ‘Clock Tower’ Ross will show that these games actually act like horror movies in which the player becomes the target and maybe the victim.

‘Cultural Nightmares’ is organised by the University of Dundee’s Department of English. The public lecture presented by the University’s Professor Peter Kitson kicks off in the Tower lecture theatre at 4.30pm on Friday 25 June with the film screening immediately after. The conference that explores horror in literary texts, film, and popular culture also includes an exhibition of artwork by Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Fred Botting, Professor of English Literature at Keele University will give a Plenary talk on Saturday morning. He has published a wealth of material including the book ‘Gothic’ and will explore the changing boundaries of what it means to shock and explain that traditional boundaries are redefined all the time.

The public are welcome to attend the full two-day event and tickets are available at a cost of £5 from Chris Murray on 01382 811709 or email c.murray@dundee.ac.uk.

This conference is part of an ongoing series of annual graduate conferences to be held in Dundee.

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk