UK Contest: Win 'The Curse Of Sleeping Beauty' on DVD (& a TV Series on the Way!)

This 2016 re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty is probably most comfortably categorized as horror, so while there are fantastical things to see in this film and more than your average dose of magic, just keep in mind that it's considered "good viewing for Halloween".

We admit we haven't seen this yet and our impression is that it was darker and scarier than Vampire Diaries or Twilight but perhaps this parallel is why this film has had so much publicity.

Over the next 13 days Horror Talk are holding a contest to give away a copy of the upcoming DVD, being released October 24th:

With a bright young cast (including Gregory Peck’s grandson, Ethan), gorgeously sinister design and more than a touch of gothic terror, The Curse of Sleeping Beauty is for anyone who enjoyed Maleficent, The Vampire Diaries or The Twilight Saga. 

Thomas Kaiser (Peck) inherits an ancestral mansion that has been in his family for generations - only to learn that he has also inherited an ancient curse stemming back to the Crusades. Forced into his new role as “protector” - the guardian appointed to keep the evil demons in the house at bay - Thomas must unravel the mystery of the house, while struggling to awaken the beautiful Briar Rose, held captive in a terrifying netherworld seen previously in his dreams.

YOU CAN ENTER THE CONTEST HERE.

While this movie clearly falls under the category of 'off-beat films', it's received a lot of attention this past year, enough to make people realize this take on Sleeping Beauty can't be as easily dismissed as you might think for a genre film.

It also turns out, there's a TV series coming, though it's not clear how much of it will explore metaphors via fairy tales like the movie. The director does have a soft spot for fairy tales it seem, though, so for those who love shows like Penny Dreadful and American Gothic, this one might be one to watch for.

Here are some excerpts from an interview with the director, Pearry Teo, by Fangoria, telling us more about the movie, his fairy tale explorations and the upcoming TV series:

Filmmaker Pearry Teo, whose credits include DRACULA: THE DARK PRINCE and THE EVIL WITHIN, has created a visually stunning reimagining of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale with THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY. 

...Scripted by Teo and Josh Nadler from the comic book by Everette Hartsoe, it’s set in a sinister world where neither the conscious nor the unconscious can be trusted, blending Gothic and cultural legends to depict the ancient struggle between good and evil. 

FANG: THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY constantly toys with reality and the subconscious dream realm. In creating this world, did any scenes stem from your own dreams or nightmares?
TEO: It would be very selfish to say that, because it really came from the dreams of everybody who worked with me. From my director of photography Christopher C, Pearson to my production designer Alessandro Marvelli, we all put a little bit of our dreams and nightmares into it. There were definitely elements I’ve experienced myself that I worked with my team to bring to life, like sleep paralysis and things like that, but the dreamscapes in this movie were definitely a collaborative effort. 

FANG: Is there a sequel or further continuation of the story in the works?
TEO: XLrator has been very supportive of this film, and about wanting to see the audience’s reaction before we consider a follow-up. It was a very risky film, because it’s not so much of an in-your-face horror movie; we were trying out new things, blending genres that most people wouldn’t think go together. To do something horrific with a story that was popularized by Disney was a very chancy move for us, but I can definitely tell you there will be a TV series. We already have an idea of what those details will be. 

FANG: Can you tell us anything about that?
TEO: Yes. The idea is that in a TV series, I can explore the fact that sleep is such an intriguing subject—it’s borderline spiritual. It’s where people experience their own subconscious, so we want to explore more of the cerebral realm and how it manifests the darker subconscious. If we were to do a series, without giving anything away, each episode would explore different dream worlds and tap into different dream cultures. Watching SLEEPING BEAUTY, you can see that we tapped into the Arabic realm with the djinn and all that stuff, so what’s going to happen when we start expanding further? Every culture has their own nightmares, so it’ll be very interesting to try and blend them all. We all have different stories to tell about dreams, and I don’t think that has been explored very much. 

FANG: Would you consider reimagining other classic fairy tales and giving them a genre makeover?
TEO: Yes, I actually have a book that is being republished called BEDLAM STORIES, written by Christine Converse from a story I created. It’s set in an asylum in the 1920s, and it’s about two little girls who have wild fantasies and delusions—it’s Alice and Dorothy. Putting those characters in that setting was really fun. SLEEPING BEAUTY is more like PAN’S LABYRINTH and SILENT HILL, but this one is more HELLRAISER. It’s definitely Clive Barker kind of stuff.

You can read the rest of the interview, with more behind-the-scenes information (and possibly some scare-spoilers) HERE.

And in case you haven't yet seen the trailer, here it is:

Good luck to our readers!

Live Action 'Aladdin' Looks to Guy Ritchie To Direct

Disney unused poster concept art by John Alvin

It's not official yet, but it's official enough that people know the deal is legitimately being worked out: Guy Ritchie, director of the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr. is in negotiations to direct the Disney live action version of Aladdin, titled Genie.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Dan Lin, who was a producer on the Holmes movies for Warner Bros., is producing what Disney touts will be an ambitious and non-traditional take on Aladdin via his Lin Pictures banner.  

John August wrote the script for the live-action version, which sources say will keep many of the musical elements of the original. 

Still to be determined is the approach to the Genie, which to this day remains closely associated to Williams' singular and defining performance. 

Also, part of the non-traditional aspect of the project is the studio's intent to make it non-linear, a move right out of the Ritchie playbook.

Ritchie is also known for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which use a similar non-linear approach to narrative, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Ritchie's current project is slightly more in the vein of directing a fantasy. He's in post production on Warner's King Arthur.

Crystal Galloway's Indian Little Mermaid

Crystal Galloway is an illustrator who decided she wanted to try creating a version of The Little Mermaid that moved away from its traditional setting in Europe. The locale she chose instead, was, refreshingly, East India.

While you might think most of the underwater scenes wouldn't necessarily reflect this, Galloway did a lovely job of reflecting the culture in the design of the characters, as well as the style of painting.

The Prince chillin' on his birthday boat

The Prince's birthday fireworks

The storm

The mermaid saving the Prince

A kiss on the shore

Arriving at the witch's bog

The witch preparing her brew

The mermaid admiring the night before her death

"Kill the Prince!"

Pretty nice interpretation! Beautifully rendered too with a feeling of sand, salt and sea. It gives the impression of being constantly in motion without being overwhelming.

Galloway did many studies for the various characters, all with lovely inspiration from East India and the unique cultural flavor there. We'd love to see an illustrated book of the complete story!

The grandmother

The sea witch

You can find more individual character designs HERE and some story boards for when the Little Mermaid goes the the surface for the first time HERE.

Fairy Tale Bonus of the Day:

Galloway also created one other fairy tale illustration, this time for The Twelve Dancing Princesses (a fairy tale not illustrated nearly enough in my opinion! It's such a rich tale, full of vivid imagery from start to finish yet it's rarely explored in its entirety. (Thank you Ruth Sanderson for giving us your version of the whole story!)

Here is the piece (click to view larger) and you can see some close ups of sections HERE:

FREE Xlnt Hans Christian Andersen Online Course Returns Oct 24 2016 - Registration Open Now

We were thrilled to hear this course is being offered again this year! Gypsy Thornton, our Lead Fairy Tale Newshound, was able to attend the first few weeks in 2015, and reports being happily surprised at how in depth it was, while still being accessible to lay folk who enjoy fairy tale scholarship. It was regretful she was unable to continue due to health issues at the time. She plans to return to complete more, if not all, of the course this year.

One great benefit of this course is meeting hundreds (yes, hundreds) of people from around the world who are interested in fairy tales. We hope to see some of our readers  there!

Explore the fairy tale world of H.C. Andersen

- the inspiration behind The Little Mermaid and Frozen -

with this free online course.

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES FREE COURSE FROM FUTURE LEARN

NOTE:THIS IS A RE-POST OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT, COMBINING INFORMATION FROM THE INITIAL COURSE IN 2015 AS WELL AS THE UPCOMING ONE ON OCTOBER 24, 2016.

ABOUT THE COURSE

This free online course will introduce you to some of Hans Christian Andersen’s most popular fairy tales, share the story of the writer himself, and discuss his cross-cultural importance today, as the inspiration behind many popular books and movies.

Interpret Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales with experts from his birthplace

You will learn with experts from the HC Andersen Center at the University of Southern Denmark – an internationally renowned research institution located in the writer’s birthplace, Odense.

Each week, these experts will guide a discussion, analysis and interpretation of one of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, including:

• The Tinderbox
• The Travelling Companion
• The Little Mermaid
• The Snow Queen (the inspiration for Disney’s Frozen)
• The Story of a Mother
• The Red Shoes

New English translations of the fairy tales will be used. You can download them from this website.

You will explore the themes of each story, and investigate how they both conform with and digress from the basic elements of the fairy tale and the folk tale.

The fairy tale genre became very popular in the period of literary history to which Hans Christian Andersen belongs, Romanticism, when childhood was discovered as an age that is important in its own right. What Hans Christian Andersen did with this genre is absolutely unique - there are no other writers of fairy tales like him.

Through the course, you will understand how Hans Christian Andersen’s authorship developed. From the rewriting of old folk tales via self-invented fairy tales to his so-called new fairy tales characterized by a modern approach.

Explore Hans Christian Andersen’s enduring, universal appeal

The majority of Hans Christian Andersen’s 157 fairy tales have been translated into at least 150 languages. They not only create a fantasy world for children, but also explore universal, sinister and more adult themes such as death, grief and loss.

Through this course, you will discover why his stories have such an enduring and universal appeal - for both children and adults.

Understand the writer’s life - from humble beginnings to global fame

Hans Christian Andersen often described himself as a “bog plant” - his roots were deeply anchored in mire and mud, but he constantly stretched up for the light of the sun.

Through the course, you will understand this analogy, reflecting on how the writer grew from humble beginnings, to achieve fame and acknowledgement as an artist in both Europe and America while he was in his prime. After his death, he became famous in Asia and all other parts of the world.

REQUIREMENTS

You will need a basic ability to read and understand Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales in English. Otherwise, a curiosity about and a love for the fairy tale genre is the sole prerequisite for the course.

Join the conversation on social media.

Use the hashtag #FLfairytales to join and contribute to social media conversations about this course.

(NOTE: IMAGES BY HELEN STRATTON)

Hulu Adapting Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale'

Anna and Elena Balbusso for the Folio Society

If you're familiar with Margaret Atwood, you're also familiar with her use of fairy tales in her work. The Handmaid's Tale, while more obviously referencing Red Riding Hood in key phrases in the book, the often used motif of the isolated woman, or Rapunzel syndrome, is also part of the it too. There are other subtle fairy tale references throughout, such as to Cinderella, The Red Shoes and The Girl Without Hands, a constant, underlying presence in Atwood's work. There are nursery rhyme references too, (eg. The Spider and the Fly), all of which blend together, seemingly naturally, in Atwood's hands.

Now that Hulu is working on a 10 episode series, we're curious to see if any of those references and allusions are included. With Atwood as consulting producer and reportedly very happy with how the script and production are developing, we are optimistic there will be:

"I am thrilled that MGM and Hulu are developing The Handmaid's Tale as a series, and extra thrilled that the very talented Elisabeth Moss will be playing the central character.  The Handmaid's Tale is more relevant now than when it was written, and I am sure the series will be watched with great interest.  I have read the first two scripts and they are excellent; I can hardly wait to see the finished episodes,” said Atwood. (source)

Here's Hulu's press description of the production from a few months ago:

Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s influential and acclaimed novel, THE HANDMAID’S TALE is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted religious fundamentalism that treats women as property of the state. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world. In this terrifying society where one wrong word could end her life, Offred navigates between Commanders, their cruel Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids – where anyone could be a spy for Gilead — all with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her.

Golden Globe winner, Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) will play the lead and title role of Offred, the 'handmaid', and in August, Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) was confirmed to play the role of Commander Fred Waterford.

Fiennes will play Commander Fred Waterford, a founding father of the totalitarian society of Gilead. A powerful, high-ranking official, Commander Waterford rules the household where Offred (Moss) is a handmaid. This marks a returned to scripted television following his role in the second season of “American Horror Story” in 2013. 

... Reed Morano will direct and executive produce the first three episodes. The cast also includes “Orange Is the New Black” alumna Samira Wiley; “The Leftovers” star Ann Dowd; “The Mindy Project’s” Max Minghella and “Hemlock Grove’s” Madeline Brewer. 

The series is scheduled to begin production in Toronto this fall for a 10-episode order, slated to premiere in 2017. (source)

While on the subject of Atwood, we wanted to highlight this book which sounds intriguing as it combines all creative aspects of Atwood's expressions - from art to writing. We haven't yet had the chance to read it, and it has mixed reviews, are curious all the same. The title is Margaret Atwood's Fairy Tale Sexual Politics by Sharon Rose Wilson.

Here's the description:

An intriguing investigation of fairy-tale images in Margaret Atwood's haunting fiction, poetry, and artwork 

Sharon Rose Wilson's analysis of Margaret Atwood's sexual politics through a study of fairy-tale patterns offers a new reading of Atwood and a fresh appreciation of the traditional fairy tale's ability to illuminate modern literature. 

Not only is this the first study to explore systematically Atwood's fiction and poetry through fairy-tale images, but also it occasions the first time Atwood has allowed examples of her artwork to be published in a book. 

In relating Atwood's fragile, mysterious paintings, collages, linocuts, drawings, and cartoons to her writing, this study shows how such fairy-tale images-along with myths, the Bible, history, film, art, and popular literature-reveal archetypes in her work. The engaging writing and the eerie visual art of Margaret Atwood braid together fairy-tale themes from Grimm and Andersen with the feminist concerns for which this internationally acclaimed Canadian author is well known.  

In The Handmaid's Tale, for example, she presents her version of Little Red Riding Hood facing patriarchy's wolf. In almost all her novels she explores the "Rapunzel Syndrome," in which women experience internalized isolation. In joining Atwood's literature and her artwork, Wilson challenges feminist assumptions that fairy tales limit gender roles. To the contrary, fairy-tale motifs in Atwood's works are a liberating force. Indeed, Wilson discloses how the genius of this fascinating writer perceives the fairy tale to be a means of transforming the constricting images that tradition has placed upon sexual identity. 

Sharon Rose Wilson is a professor of English and women's studies at the University of Northern Colorado.

You can get a really good preview via Google Books HERE and the book is available for purchase HERE and HERE.

OUAT This Week: Cinderella's Other Shoe Is About to Drop

Last Sunday we saw the Count of Monte Cristo on a revenge gig set-up by the Evil Queen... not very engaging for the fairy tale/fantasy fans (even the use of the poison draught, referenced in the title, was underwhelming) but this coming week we get a long overdue revisioning of a very well known fairy tale character: Cinderella.

While OUAT told Cinderella's story in the very first season, and added the twist of Rumpel killing her fairy godmother so he could ensnare the girl in a deal himself, this round looks even more promising as far as revisioning goes, as the series tells "Cinderella's Untold Tale", that is, the one she wishes wasn't told. Unsurprisingly it involves less-than-nice stepsisters and an even less-nice stepmother, but from the teaser it also looks like we're going to be treated to a reworking of various aspects (eg. how Cinderella got her name), possibly even motifs, of the most popular Cinderella story.

Take a look at the teaser:

The above teaser is a decent fairy tale clip just by itself but if more is explored, it promises to be an interesting episode, as Cinderella is promised to have a little revenge-binge of her own.

There's more of a sneak peek here, which, unfortunately gives a lot away, but having read so very many versions of Cindy in revenge mode, we're not 'un-surprised' (add it to the dictionary), we're just curious about the woven in details and hope there's an inspired resolution.

Fair warning for possible spoilers:

Which brings us to the most pressing question we have about the whole season: what is Snow White's untold story? We have seen almost every moment of Snow White's life; birth, young girl, learning her forest skills, her first kiss (Hercules - really?), betrayal by the Evil Queen, meeting Charming, her friendship with Red, her psycho sweeping song (when she nearly killed a bluebird with her broom on purpose - that was a fun one), her wedding, being cursed, having baby Emma, sending Emma to muggle land, evil Snow in opposite land and everything in between. We've seen her good, bad, getting a black heart, doing less than heroic things... what's left to tell? We hope they've got a really great idea in mind to be worthy of this season's biggest mystery and focus. (Regina versus herself doesn't seem like it will hold that many surprises - just magical action and a lot of frustration on the part of her good side, and laughing on the part of her bad one.)

In the meantime, here's a little stroll down memory lane reflecting on a 'less than white' Snow:

Theater: Prison Theater Arts Presents 'Sleeping Giants: A Dream Play' (Victoria, Canada)

Does the idea of going inside a prison to watch a play, even one based on fairy tales, unnerve you? We admit, we area little disconcerted, but we're also intrigued.

Opening yesterday (Friday, October 7th 2016), the minimum security prison William Head Institution is staging with the help and support of WHOs (William Head On Stage) and SNAFU Dance Theater, a new play titled Sleeping Giants. It uses metaphors from the tales of Sleeping Beauty, Rip Van Winkle and A Midsummer Night's Dream to reflect on real life experiences.

Description:

Sleeping Giants began inspired by such stories as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rip Van Winkle, and soon grew and evolved into a wholly original piece with music, costumes, lighting, set and props--all designed and built by the inmate team.  We follow the story of five human dreamers and a family of dream spirits who act as guides through the subconscious landscape.  Dreams are scarce, and the dream spirits must find a way to make the humans dream again, or else fade away into oblivion.  

There's an interesting review about the play and it's development HERE. Here's an excerpt:

Sleeping Giants takes its cue from such tales as Rip Van Winkle, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Sleeping Beauty. It tells five fictional tales based on the real-life experiences of inmates. Greenfield said one of the themes is the notion of “long sleeps.”

“There’s the idea of people going to sleep for a long, long time and waking up and the whole world’s changed around you. It’s kind of a metaphor for prison life,” she said.The chairman of William Head on Stage is one of 15 prisoners performing in Sleeping Giants. He said the play is also a critique of our technology-obsessed society. The inmates have a different take on the topic because this side of modern life is off-limits to them.“We have no direct access to the Internet, we have no iPhones or gadgets to play with while inside,” said the inmate, who cannot be identified due to prison regulations. 

            

 

Costumes created for the show by the inmates:

The Alchemist's cape, Dream Spirit costumes and the Woodland Sprite costume. 

Here's a little introduction from WHOs, introducing the play:

You can find out more information about the play, the facility and the process of visiting this 'unique' stage HERE.

We would suggest, if you're interested, to do your research. You will find many surprisingly great reviews of plays staged at the William Head Institution and the visit process is made very clear. Consider going in a group, for your peace of mind, and, at the suggestion of those working in theater to change lives: keep an open heart.

What: Sleeping GiantsWhere: William Head Institution, Metchosin, near Victoria in CanadaWhen: Oct. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, Nov. 3, 4, 5. Must be 19 or over to enter.

Kate Forsyth Finishes 1st Draft of "Beauty In Thorns"

If you're a Kate Forsyth fan (Bitter Greens, The Wild Girl, The Beast's Garden) you probably know she's been neck-deep in writing her retelling of Sleeping Beauty, titled Beauty In Thorns, set in the "passions and scandals of the Pre-Raphaelite circle of artists and poets".

The great news is that just this week the book was finished! Well, the first draft was. We here at OUABlog heartily congratulate Kate Forsyth on what has been a very intensive research and writing journey.

Here's more information about Forsyth's retelling, from her website:

In 1890, the Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones finished a monumental series of paintings inspired by ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Greeted with ecstasy by the public, it sold for a record 15,000 guineas and made the artist a rich and famous man.

Told by the voices of six extraordinary women – the wives and mistresses, sisters and daughters of the famous artists of the Pre-Raphaelite circle – BEAUTY IN THORNS tells the story of love, desire, obsession and tragedy that lies behind the creation of this famous depiction of Sleeping Beauty. 
Told by the voices of six extraordinary women – the wives and mistresses, sisters and daughters of the famous artists of the Pre-Raphaelite circle – BEAUTY IN THORNS tells the story of love, desire, obsession and tragedy that lies behind the creation of this famous depiction of Sleeping Beauty.  

The ‘Sleeping Beauty’ fairy tale haunted the imagination of the Pre-Raphaelite painter Edward Burne-Jones, and he returned to the theme many times over the course of thirty years. 

Are you as intrigued as we are?

You can read more about it HERE.

The novel is expected to be published in August 2017.

The Legend of Briar Rose - The Sleeping Beauty (Mural 4 of 4) - Edward Burne-Jones

Claire Keane's Animated Mural Intro to Tangled (from 2010)

Rapunzel concept art for Disney's Tangled by Claire Keane

We  don't think we ever posted this but it should be of interest today with the trailer for the animated TV series having just been released.

Created in 2010, this intro was created by the incredibly talented Claire Keane (who was the key artist in the creative development and concept art for the movie Tangled, especially with regard to Rapunzel's tower), along with her husband Vincent Rogozyk, for Nintendo Wii for the Tangled video game. They summarized the story via murals, which they also animated. It's this amazing little work of art all by itself!

(Note: Click on Vincent's name above to go to his website. It takes you straight to the page showing you close-ups of the murals. The one with Mother Gothel's visage peeling just like the paint on the wall is genius.)

Enjoy!

Breaking News: Disney's 'Tangled' TV Series Trailer Released

The hair is back! And the first question you will ask - if you think the way we do in the newsroom - is: how??

And we're not just curious (aka baffled, slightly perturbed) at just the how, but also the "why": why does she get her very blonde mile-long, assassin-worthy, hair back? Apparently the series is set to answer that question - and it's an important one, since we know, from the movie, that Rapunzel is really an un-magical, though royal, brunette, and, frankly, we thought that was a good thing.

Flynn, er, Eugene looks a little shocked here too, though Pascal looks pretty happy about. He has his jungle gym back, we're guessing.

The series, featuring Rapunzel, Flynn/Eugene, Pascal and many of the other characters, is set to take place between the events of the movie (2010) and the short Tangled Ever After (2012), aka the wedding short.

According to TVLine:

The series will follow Rapunzel as she “acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom and the people of Corona.”

Many Moore returns to voice Rapunzel and Zach Levi as Flynn. (Or shall we be calling him Eugene?)

It's beautifully done, recalling some of the concept and development art for the original movie, especially that created by Claire Keane.

Without further ado, take a look:

We just hope Maximus gets to do more sword fighting.

Tangled: The Series, is set to air in 2017.