As you may know, February is "Women in Horror" month. To celebrate, PromoteHorror.com asked women from different professions if they would like to answer some questions about being a "Woman in Horror." One of the women, who were kind enough to answer our questions, was the fabulous actress Suze Lanier-Bramlett. Lets see what she said about being a “Woman in Horror”…
-When did you first become a horror fan?
I remember loving scary movies when I was just a little girl, maybe around six or seven years old. I grew up in Texas, and in those days mothers would drop their kids off at the movies on Saturday afternoon for a double feature while they went and got their hair done or went shopping. The theaters were like having a built-in babysitter. The first scary movie I remember seeing was Invasion From Mars, a sci-fi film. I loved Vincent Price in The Pit and The Pendulum and anything Alfred Hitchcock made, Psycho, being at the top of the list.
-Was there a specific moment when you realized that you wanted to go from being a fan of horror to a woman who contributes to the genre, or did it just kind of happen naturally?
As an actress, I had been getting a name for myself in sit-coms and doing stand-up comedy on television when I was cast as Brenda, which was the starring role in The Hills Have Eyes. I had done some drama on TV, and definitely in professional theatre, but getting my first horror film kind of fell into place quite organically.
- What does having a "Women in Horror" month mean to you?
Having a “Women in ANYTHING” month means that maybe women are being taken a bit more seriously as profession contributors to whatever it’s referring to. Just look at the “horror” conventions going on everywhere. Most of the guests are MEN, unless it’s a scantily-dressed “scream queen” with her boobs hanging out, which I suppose goes hand in hand with the genre. But that could easily change, and it should. Women are generally given the role of “victim”, and that’s sad. So far, I can proudly say that I have never died in any of my horror projects. I like to play strong women, just like Brenda, who was one of the only survivors in The Hills Have Eyes. In my newest release, CUT!, I play another strong character, a horror film director.
-Is there a woman in horror who you consider a role model?
I consider Carrie one of the best horror movies ever made. I love, love Sissie Spacek’s work in every role she does. I think it’s cool that she can do “horror”, as well as, comedies or dramas, and I much prefer to have that kind of career than to be pigeonholed into just one thing.
-How do you think the role of women in horror has changed over the years?
Not really in a good way. Many of the newer “horror” movies are too close to being “soft porn”. That, to me, degrades women. And what are these actresses going to do later when their boobs aren’t so perky? I’m not against nudity, don’t get me wrong. If it fits into the script and story, like Fifty Shades Of Gray then that’s cool. But if it’s just thrown in for exploitive purposes, then the actress is not doing herself any favors by just becoming an object in the film. She’s nothing more than a prop. To me, that is not art. Yes, Janet Leigh is definitely “the victim” in Psycho, but you don’t see anything in the shower, and she will always be respected as a wonderful actress.
-What do you think the future holds for women in horror?
I hope that more women will write, produce and direct not only “horror” but all genres of filmmaking. I’m writing a very edgy piece as we speak. There’s lots of sex and darkness in the project, but it’s all a crucial part of the story. It’s actually based on a real incident. I’ve always enjoyed both sides of the camera, and I think it’s important to have the knowledge of both sides.
I’m also a singer/songwriter. I recently released a music video of one of my new songs called, “Watch What You Ask For” starring myself, Michael Berryman (from The Hills Have Eyes) and Brooke Lewis. I wrote and directed and edited it with my friend, Christophe McWhorter. It’s on YouTube and a horror-comedy about the perils of internet dating.
-Being that this is PromoteHorror.com, please feel free to plug your current/next horror project.
Well now that you ask…My newest film CUT! will be opening in theaters this coming Friday the 13th in Hollywood. It has won awards and is already being called a “cult classic”. It stars a brilliant actor, David Banks, and was directed by a new fabulous director, David Rountree. I’m also appearing in a couple of other films coming out, Betrothed, playing Bill Oberst, Jr.’s wife, and No Solicitors, with Eric Roberts.
Suze Lanier-Bramlett was born on August 1, 1947 in Dallas, Texas, USA. She is known for her work on The Hills Have Eyes (1977), Cut! (2014) and The Hills Have Eyes Part II(1984). She was previously married to Delaney Bramlett. (bio from IMDB)
For more information about Suze, please visit:
We thank Suze Lanier-Bramlett for taking the time to answer our questions, but more importantly for her contribution to horror!
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