If you are a horror fan, you likely have at least a little knowledge of the term “video nasty.” It was a generalization given to movies heavily criticized for the onscreen violence and their “objectionable” content. Many of these films have become cult classics thanks to their notoriety. One modern release creepily examines the period in time when these films caused a ruckus. It is the terrific new thriller Censor. Directed by Prano Bailey-Bond, the film tells the story of Enid Barnes (Niamh Algar), a film censor that discovers a controversial movie that may connect to a tragic occurrence in her own life. The film is currently available, and it’s yet another fine example of doing horror right.
I recently sat down with both Bailey-Bond and Algar to discuss their latest. In this fine film, I truly appreciated the detail and understanding that Prano shows in her exploration of the video nasty era. She opened up about that and bringing a sense of that to the big screen. As well, the two opened up about how the genre has opened itself up in recent years in a diverse and satisfying way. And I have to give massive credit to Ms. Algar, who is fantastic here. She discussed taking on the role and bringing the character of Enid to life. If you love horror, I highly recommend you seeking out Censor. Not only is it a fascinating look at the video nasty era, but it is also a delightfully dread-fueled ride into the bizarre, and it’s available now!
Check out Jimmy O’s interview with Prano Bailey-Bond and Niamh Algar below:
