Experimental Film

Lois Cairns is a film critic and teacher struggling with her career while raising her autistic son. When she discovers evidence of Mrs. A. Macalla Whitcomb, a lost early Canadian filmmaker, Lois begins obsessively researching the mysterious woman who vanished in 1918. The investigation into Whitcomb's experimental films leads Lois down an increasingly dark path, uncovering connections to ancient folklore and supernatural forces. She must confront both external threats and her own inner demons as the boundaries between cinema, myth, and reality begin to blur. As Lois's research intensifies, she finds herself drawn into a web of historical secrets and occult phenomena that put her family and sanity at risk. The story merges elements of literary horror with detailed explorations of early film history and technique. The novel examines themes of artistic obsession, motherhood, and the price of uncovering hidden truths. Through its fusion of supernatural horror and film criticism, it raises questions about the nature of creativity and the power of images to shape - or destroy - reality.

Readers appreciate the deep dive into experimental film history and technique, with many highlighting Files' authentic portrayal of life as a film critic and teacher. The horror elements build slowly through research and investigation, which horror fans found effective. Multiple reviewers noted strong representation of autism and motherhood. Common criticisms focus on pacing issues in the middle section and occasional dense passages about film theory that some found difficult to follow. Several readers mentioned the protagonist can be unlikeable or frustrating at times. What readers liked: - Unique blend of film history and supernatural horror - Technical accuracy about filmmaking - Authentic portrayal of autism and parenting challenges What readers disliked: - Slow middle section - Heavy film theory passages - Protagonist's negative attitude Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (90+ ratings)

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🎬 Author Gemma Files worked as a film critic and teacher before becoming a horror writer, lending authenticity to the protagonist's background in film studies. 🎥 The book's fictional lost film pioneer, Mrs. A. Macalla Whitcomb, was inspired by real early female filmmakers like Alice Guy-Blaché and Nell Shipman. 👻 The supernatural elements in the story draw heavily from Slavic folklore, particularly the legend of Lady Midday (Poludnitsa), a harvest spirit who appears in the scorching noon sun. 🏆 "Experimental Film" won the 2016 Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding achievement in horror and dark fantasy literature. 📽️ The book explores the real phenomenon of "lost films" - early motion pictures that have completely disappeared due to fires, deterioration, or intentional destruction, with experts estimating that 75% of all silent films are now lost.