It’s a great pleasure this year to join the RBCK Libraries Customs & Folklore Festival! It’s a series of talks and events inspired by the fantastic collection of books on the subjects of folklore and at Kensington Central Library.
Ancient Powers, Rituals and the Occult in the Horror Movies of Bloomsbury
23 February 18:30 GMT
Whether the Druidic Curse cast on Dana Andrews, Charlton Heston performing ancient Egyptian rituals in the British Museum, or the Masonic undertones of Jack the Ripper, the stories of London horror cinema have long been under the spell of ancient powers and occult.
The area of Bloomsbury, in particular, was a natural inspiration for filmmakers. It houses some of the most mythic buildings in London, including churches by architect Nicholas Hawksmoor and the British Museum, as well as societies that practice spiritualism and alternative forms of Christianity.
Horror films made the most of this longstanding relationship with the mystic and the otherworldly, bringing Egyptian gods, Druidic runes, werewolves and long-dead spirits to its streets, while the very real occult societies of the area inspired a range of horror films all over the world involving serial killers and mythic beasts.
Join Me for a dive into some of the folklore, lay-lines, occult histories, and spiritual customs that have inspired and terrified us from the silver screen.
I hope I see you there!
Lauren Jane Barnett 