THE BABADOOK (2014) – Draw-Along Film Screening – Queer Horror Nights x Queer Art Club London for Queer Fest (Thursday 13 July 19:00).

• Directed by Jennifer Kent
• Starring Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall
• 2014 | 94mins | Australia | Event 18+

Jennifer Kent’s THE BABADOOK (2014) is about a grieving Mum and her distressed child who are terrorised by the cut-out paper nightmare that launched a million memes, “Mister Babadook”. A commercially successful original horror from a debut female filmmaker – when there are still far too few of both! – THE BABADOOK tackles one of the last taboos of parenthood; what if your baby’s not an angel?

How queer is THE BABADOOK? It depends on how deep you dive… Starting as a tumblr joke and given a boost by Netflix in Pride Month 2017, the film’s monster became an accidental, flamboyant queer icon. Mister’s queer credentials stem from the suburban rejection of difference (they try to burn his ‘gay agenda’) and his melodramatic response (he makes a pop-up book about it!). Of course, there was a huge dose of queer joy and creativity in all those memes too. As Sara Clements writes in them: “THE BABADOOK isn’t just a movie; it’s a symbol for the queer reclamation of horror movie monsters”.

Experience this modern classic anew with our sensational draw-along screening (you can just watch the film if you’d rather!). Token Homo from Queer Horror Nights will be there to introduce the queer history of THE BABADOOK and Finn Yvo from Queer Art Club London will guide you through the art of spontaneous sketching (materials provided!). Stay afterwards for our Queer Cinema Social, sharing your thoughts and sketches about the film and mingling with other audience members.

Wait, there’s more!!!!

THE BABADOOK Draw-Along (Thursday 13 July 18:30) will be followed by a linked Book-Making Workshop (Saturday 15 July 14:00-16:00) with even more gorgeous creativity from Queer Art Club London. Finn Yvo will guide you through the art of making a DIY pop-up book celebrating your own coming out story (suburban or otherwise) taking inspiration from amazing 3D paper artists and exploring techniques of paper cutting and folding, charcoal, chalks and collage.

The film screening and workshop are for people of all abilities and are spaces where you can freely explore your creativity and have some fun. All materials provided. Booked separately.

About Queer Art Club London

A chilled and playful art club for queers, hosted by @finnyvodraws (usually at @thegloryldn every Sunday) but making a very special appearance in Leytonstone for Last Frame Queer Fest!