Traditionally overshadowed by a graveyard of Vampires and Werewolves, the humble Zombie has stumbled back into pop-culture favour with a ferocious following. Telly addicts know it's impossible to flick through Sky or Netflix without bumping into the walking dead.
They're confusing, they're diverse... and they're everywhere. Beyond being sort of dead, or infected, and having questionable table manners, there's no precise benchmark to define what constitutes being a pop-culture zombie.
The slow moving, lovable types from George Romero's 1968, 'Night of the Living Dead', are certainly out of vogue with honest Joe public. We live in a cynical world where a modern audience requires a modern Zombie - a zombie that's as fast and aggressive as the times we live in.
Fast moving Zombies show up in films like, '28 Days Later', 'World War Z' and Zack Snyder's 2004 remake of 'Dawn of the Dead'. Not only are modern zombies physically dynamic, some are tactically astute, such as the terrifying SS zombies resurrected and reanimated in movies like, 'Outpost' and its creepy successors.
Don't feel disheartened though, not all zombies are bad. Some can be funny. Zom Coms such as, 'Night of the Living Dorks', 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Zombie Strippers''... yep, that's right, 'Zombie Strippers', squirt humour over the gore and make us giggle.
On the subject of zombies, myself and Mrs. K were somewhat taken aback when we found ourselves on Glastonbury's High Street, in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Our chilled visit to this Avalonian hippy-town turned in to a frightful fight for survival... okay, maybe not quite a frightful fight for survival, but an entertaining afternoon, nonetheless.
It seemed the local zombie community were celebrating their cultural 'Zombieness', with collective hobbling, wobbling and limping along the High Street.
Disguised as a charitable fund raiser, the zombie gathering was actually an exercise to distance themselves from the poor PR they generally receive. Often dehumanised and disenfranchised, maybe it was their way of raising awareness that zombies are people as well... or were people once, I guess.
The Glasto Zombie tour de force was a colourful spectacle of improvised street theatre, imagination and contagious creative carnage. Many locals and day tripping tourists turned out to join the fun and show their support for this social minority.
The Zombies themselves were happy, chatty and approachable, coping well with the attention they were receiving. Poses were struck and photos were taken in exchange for a bag of prime offal. These weren't the snotty, snarling, maniacs you see on telly or read about in comics... or novels, if you're more grown up.
In fact, the gathering was a family event, with junior zombies dragging loose limbs behind proudly rotting parents. Thankfully I wasn't mistaken for one of the participants on this occasion.
The zombies gathered in a happy blend of age, nationality and gender. There was no prejudice or divide amongst the zombie fraternity. They were happy to be united and together, even with their physical flaws and mental failings, which made them just a little more human.
Every strata of their society was accounted for. A variety of zombie doctors and nurses where in attendance to care for the sick and infirm. There was even a zombie vicar hoping for a better afterlife... and who could blame him.
It was a walk of solidarity and inclusion. All manner of monster was welcome, including curiously colourful incarnations, such as the scary rabbit-headed girl on roller skates and the dapper monochrome skeletal Romeo and Juliet who clearly stepped out of the psychedelic sixties.
It was getting late... I was getting tired, or maybe I was just hallucinating... it was Glasto after all. I thought I recognized the Town Crier with his green coat and Jack Sparrow tricorn hat... he was smiling at me... wasn't he a villain from a childhood episode of Scooby Doo?
I was right, wasn't I! My better half shuck her head, took the car keys off me, and with a shove said it was time to leave.
Happy Halloween!
TONY K
Youtube Link - Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Tony seeing your killer photos I am so happy being a bit farther away ... what's that scraping sound at the door ... Happy Halloweeeeeerrggghh!!!
ReplyDeleteHa ha... Happy Halloween to you, Arto. Wishing you a frightfully festive night over there at Helsinki Base. Hopefully the generators wont fail on you and all your callers will be of the living variety. Best wishes... and good luck :D
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween Tony K! What amazing pictures. I've never understood the fascination with Halloween although I needed to learn more about it as I am moving to the USA and they celebrate it big time there - this article helped learn more about the excitement behind it and those pictures are proper scary!
ReplyDeleteHiya Doc, I'm surprised, I thought you would've been a fan of Halloween. Never mind, it's never to late to join the fun and enjoy the seasonal mood for all things spooky old pal. Good luck with the big move :)
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