folk horror uses elements of folklore to invoke fear in its audience. typical elements include a rural setting and themes of isolation, religion, the power of nature, and the potential darkness of rural landscapes. although related to supernatural horror films, many derive their horror from the actions and beliefs of people rather than explicitly supernatural elements; the primary focus of the stories is often upon naïve outsiders coming up against these forces.
From Japanese folk horror, I enthusiastically suggest Kwaidan(dir. Masaki Kobayashi, 1965)
andOnibaba(dir. Kaneto Shindo, 1964).
I am also of the unorthodox (?) opinion that The Devils (dir. Ken Russell, 1971) is a folk horror film. And if it is, it’s the best. Well, the most fucked up. Well, same thing.
Strong agreement about The Devils! The religious mania of that insular community may be framed against a larger context of political struggles, but the mania is sopowerful.
