SUSPIRIA Day 31: we're at the end

Well, reader, here we are, at the end of this mad endeavor. They said it couldn't be done! They said it shouldn't be done! They said...okay, so no one said either of those things. But I've certainly never attempted anything like this 31-day examination of a single film before. It's been a bit exhausting at times, but always an interesting undertaking. Somehow, a month in, there are still things left to say, avenues to explore, nuances and moments to revere. Every time I think I hit bottom, I find there's yet more digging to do. I think I'll keep going. Maybe not here, necessarily. I might try to expand what I've done in a multitude of ways and work on something long form. I don't know where such a thing might find a home, but we'll see. My enthusiasm and love for Suspiria certainly haven't waned. Kind of remarkable to me, since it's been almost a year to the day since I saw it the first time. In fact, I dug this out of my instagram to check the date:

That caption makes me laugh...I was so excited for this movie! So excited, in fact, that I traveled for a couple of hours to catch it opening weekend, as it didn't play in my town for another week or so. (Of course, I saw it a few times when it finally arrived.)

Still, I certainly wasn't expecting it to affect me the way it did. I figured I'd like it: the cast is terrific, I am the leader of the sovereign nation of Dakotastan, I love the original film. But I love Dario Argento's movie...mmm, aesthetically. I love the idea of it. Jessica Harper is, of course, a perfect icon. But it never, like, grabbed me by the soul emotionally, you know? So I never anticipated that Luca Guadagnino's film would cast such a spell on me. But, well, again...here we are.

I was going to post about an actual, uh, something. But I think I'll save it for another time, maybe another place. Right now I just want to say Happy Halloween–another SHOCKtober in the books!–and thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read Final Girl this month, who's left a comment here or on The Social Medias with your thoughts and the such. It's been quite a ride! Tomorrow is a new day 'round these parts, for it dawns the first-ever BLOODvember. I have no idea what I'm doing yet! That sounds about right.

The Suspiria zine I'm putting together will be available November 11. (Of course.) There will be limited hard copies available. It'll also be available digitally. It's a love letter to this deeply queer love letter of a movie from a queer little coven I have assembled (the Markos Zinegruppe!). There will be art and writing, silly things and serious things, all kinds of goodies. I'll post information regarding where to get it when the time comes. I'm really excited about it.

Of Anke Meier, of Patricia Hingle, of Sara Simms, of Susanna Bannion, of all the women of my undoing...uh, thanks? I guess? Hail Mother Suspiriorum. Death to any other movie!