Where Evil Dwells (1985)
By David Wojnarowicz
THIS FILM WAS INSPIRED BY AN ACT OF VIOLENCE THAT SHOCKED THE AMERICAN NATION IN 1984: RICKY KASSO, LEADER OF A GANG OF "SATAN TEENS" IN NORTHPORT, LONG ISLAND, KILLED A FRIEND BY STABBING HIS HEAD AND NECK WITH A KNIFE 17 TIMES AND FORCING HIM TO SAY "I LOVE SATAN" DURING THE KILLING. TOMMY TURNER AND DAVID WOJNAROWICZ RESPONDED TO THE MEDIA FRENZY THAT CONDEMNED SATANISM AND REAVY-METAL BANDS AS THE NEW SUBURBAN THREAT TO SOCIETY BY BEING IN A MOVIE. HOWEVER, MOST OF THE MATERIAL WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE IN TOMMY TURNER'S APARTMENT. ACCORDING TO THE FILM'S SUBHEADING, Where Evil Dwells IS A "TRAILER" COMPOSED OF THE 8MM TAPES THAT COULD BE SAVED. THE FILM'S CENTRAL CHARACTERS STARRING ALONGSIDE RICKY KASSO (TOMMY TURNER) ARE THE DEVIL CLAD IN A PRIEST'S VESTMENT (JOE COLEMAN), A HOWDY-DOODY VENTRILOQUIST DOLL, AND JESUS (ROCKETS REDGLARE). CONSEQUENTLY, THE LOCATIONS IN ADDITION TO THE SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL ESTATE, HIGHWAY AND PARK ARE HEAVEN AND HELL. IN AN ABSTRUSE FASHION Where Evil Dwells TAKES US THROUGH THE A TO Z OF CULTURAL IMAGINARY AND CONFRONTS IT WITH THE PRESENT: MYTHOLOGICAL-CHRISTIAN AND MEDIA-BASED NARRATIVES, HIGH AND POPULAR CULTURE INTERFUSE. THE SEQUENCES ARE…
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