Symposium: Exploitation Cinema in the 21st Century

Canterbury Christ Church University

North Holmes Road Campus, Kent.

 

Date: June 9th 2017
Deadline for proposals: 3^rd March 2017
Keynote Speaker: Dr Johnny Walker, Northumbria University

In relation to cinema, the term “exploitation” has been adopted by various individuals and institutions over time, from opportunistic film producers and marketers of the 1920s to contemporary online distributors releasing new films in the 21^st century. There is a current wave of exciting and productive scholarship on the historical developments of exploitation cinema, and its famous, and not so famous, films and filmmakers. Much of this research focuses on exploitation before the year 2000, with a particular focus up to and including the VHS era of the 1980s, rather than on the inflections of exploitation in the 21^st century, and the trends and developments that have taken place since the turn of the century. This one-day symposium seeks to shed new light on the embodiments of exploitation cinema since 2000, with particular emphasis on current waves and cycles, the way in which they are now consumed (such as online rather than in theatres), and which particular exploitation filmmakers stand out as being important in contemporary times.

Topics might include (but are not limited to);

·         Analysis of single films

·         Studies of current waves or cycles of exploitation

·         Exploitation cinema from global national contexts (in particular from non-English speaking countries)

·         The re-emergence of old cycles since 2000 (Rape-Revenge, the Biker movie, etc.)

·         Individual filmmakers

·         New genres, sub-genres, and hybrids

·         High budget exploitation (such as that produced by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez)

·         Patterns of exhibition and distribution

·         Studies of industrial models or modes

·         Exploitation studios (The Asylum etc.)

·         Exploitation online

·         Exploitation fandom and audiences

We invite proposals of up to 300 words for 20 minute papers, plus a short bio (up to 150 words) by March 3^rd 2017.

We also welcome video essays to be submitted with a 300 word proposal/150 word bio, sent to us by March 3^rd 2017. Final video submissions should be sent by June 2^nd 2017 via Vimeo link. Video submissions should aim to be 10 minutes maximum running time.

All proposal (and any queries) should be sent to Dr James Newton at [log in to unmask]