We live in a world where cosmetic surgical procedures are increasingly commonplace. Many papers and magazines now contain adverts for “lunchtime surgery” – cosmetic procedures such as botox injections which can be performed quickly – and “surgery safari” – trips to countries where patients can get cheap surgery and multiple operations.

Body modification involves many of the same procedures as more conventional cosmetic surgery but the results are often more extreme. Tattoos, piercings, tongue splitting, and scarification are some of the procedures increasingly employed by people to create body-art, shock, and as a form of self-expression.

American Mary is a feature-length Canadian horror film which explores the gruesome world of back-alley surgery. Directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska, the film features Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps) as Mary, a medical student who is sucked into the extreme world of body modification by the allure of easy money and notoriety. The community she performs surgery on alter their bodies way beyond mere tattoos, piercings and implants, and soon Mary graduates from tongue bisections and cosmetic amputations to much more disturbing operations with a decidedly Lynchian vibe.

In this post-screening Q&A, directors Jen and Sylvia Soska are joined by Katharine Isabelle (who starred in the film as Mary), and discuss the themes of body modification and cosmetic surgery, the making of the film, and the horror genre.

This talk was chaired by Alan Jones, co-director of Film4 Frightfest.

Related Links:
Film4 Frightfest
Twisted Twins Productions

Posted on Wed 16 Jan 2013.

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