The Miskatonic Institute is known to highlight and represent all aspects of horror. From the mainstream to the mainly unheard of, The Miskatonic has made it their mission to educate the masses about horror history, theory, and production. This time The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies has turned its attention to the north. Canada, a country known for its maple syrup, hockey, and friendly folk, got to show it’s dark side in “Northern Scars: The Foundations of Canadian Horror Cinema”, hosted by Caelum Vatnsdal.

Canada was a little late to the horror film making party, but better late than never is absolutely the case with our Canuck comrades. In the 70s and 80s Canada was pumping films out like crazy. During Canada’s peak filming years it’s reported that Toronto mad more films than Hollywood. It’s also reported that a large percentage of these films were horror films. Killer sex slugs, rabid rats, monsters, psychos, crazies, mad scientists, sinister shamans, and zombies reigned supreme. Canada knew what the people wanted and it delivered in spades.

This lecture focused on this and much more in the world of Canadian horror. From its origins, the development of the genre, to behind-the-scenes clips into the movie making magic. Personal stories of those involved with the films, scandals and controversies surrounding certain films, and politics that drove the development of Canada’s commercial film industry. The session was ended with a focus on where Canadian horror is (be)headed.

Some of the films featured and discussed were The Mask (Canada’ first horror feature), The Corpse Eaters (its cheapest/most ‘budget friendly’), Shivers, Black Christmas, Rituals, and Spasms. ‘

Horror has infected and infatuated the world and The Miskatonic Institute will continue to marvel the horror community with terror-ific tales of its history and future. To stay up to date with all the goings-on The Miskatonic has to offer, click here.