Film expert available to discuss 2015 holiday-themed movies

November 24, 2015  


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — This season's horror-themed movie "Krampus" could become a holiday staple in the vein of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," according to Purdue University film expert Lance Duerfahrd.

"Christmas horror films make us wonder about the dark side of our yearly ritual. The horror we usually associate with Christmas is that orange and teal knit sweater that we get from grandma, and having to smile as we take it out of the box. 'Krampus' escalates this discomfort into downright horror by taking all the ingredients of the holiday ritual and replacing them with their terrifying likeness," Duerfahrd said.

Duerfahrd, associate professor of English and director of the film and video studies program, is an expert in film studies, global cinema and bad movies. He is available to discuss the 2015 lineup of holiday movies, including "Krampus." The film is based on German folklore and will be released in theaters on Dec. 4.

Possible topics Duerfahrd can discuss include:

* The appeal of holiday-themed movies in the horror/fantasy genre.

* Prediction on the 2015 holiday movie with the best chance of long-term success.

* Recent movies that have become holiday staples, including the 2003 release "Love Actually."  

* Bad holiday horror movies from past seasons, including the 1984 film, "Silent Night, Deadly Night."

* Hollywood's formula for the Christmas movie.

* The family movie considered by many to be the greatest is 1939's "The Wizard of Oz."

* Best animated holiday movie: "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," from 1966.

Duerfahrd's research focuses on film studies, theory and cultural studies, history and theory of film and photography, film noir and global cinema. He is currently completing a study of the function of background actors in movies titled "Extras: The Peripheral Life of Cinema."

CONTACT: Lance Duerfahrd, lduerfah@purdue.edu  

News Service contact: John Hughey, 765-494-2432, hugheyj@purdue.edu 

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