Cinema Junkie Podcast 177: Talking Horror And HIFF

Horrible Imaginings’ Miguel Rodriguez looks to new trends, horror for humanity

Friday, August 23, 2019

Photo credit: Horrible Imaginings

"LVRS" is a visually striking, wordless exploration of an abusive relationship. The film pushes the boundaries of how we define horror and screens at this year's Horrible Imaginings Film Festival.

Horrible Imaginings Film Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary this Labor Day Weekend at the Frida Cinema so that is the perfect excuse to speak with the festival's founder and executive director Miguel Rodriguez about all things horror. We will discuss trends as well as some of the standout films from the festival.

Aired: August 23, 2019 | Transcript

Horrible Imaginings Film Festival has been bringing genre films to the big screen for 10 years. To celebrate this anniversary, festival founder and executive director Miguel Rodriguez looks to new trends in the horror genre and how horror addresses real social issues.

Horror movies, they are often the scapegoat in debates about violence with politicians pointing a finger at the genre and urging for Hollywood to cut back on gore, violence and stories that take viewers out of their comfort zone. But perhaps horror movies are less the cause of real world violence and more a means by which we react to the world and filter our anxieties and fears through art or use art as a means of expressing the anger and violence toward things we cannot control.

For this podcast I will be talking about all things horror with Rodriguez. The festival began in San Diego and I am thrilled to say I was there to help from its first year. Last year the challenges of finding an appropriate venue in San Diego forced him to move the festival to the Frida Cinema in Orange County.

Horrible Imaginings takes place Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at the Frida Cinema.

Beth Accomando
Arts & Culture Reporter

opening quote marks closing quote marks I cover arts and culture, from Comic-Con to opera, from pop entertainment to fine art, from zombies to Shakespeare. I am interested in going behind the scenes to explore the creative process; seeing how pop culture reflects social issues; and providing a context for art and entertainment.