Forest of Changing Shapes Film Series: Hugh the Hunter
In the wilderness, the illusion of human dominance unravels within what artist Hugh Hayden calls “the forest of changing shapes.” Drawing inspiration from Hayden’s thought-provoking artwork, the Forest of Changing Shapes Film Series invites you to explore the defiance of nature through the chilling lens of horror. This four-part series, organized by Rose Art Museum, begins with a screening of Hayden’s short film, Hugh the Hunter. Film series curator Brandon Callendar will give a keynote guiding audiences through the featured films, examining how horror reframes human encroachment from the perspective of the untamed, unruly beings associated with the forest.
Following Hugh the Hunter, the series delves into a trio of genre-defining horror films: the folk horror of The Enchanted (1984), the environmental vengeance of Frogs (1972), and the sci-fi thriller Predator (1987), which inspired Hayden’s exploration of camouflage. Together, these films and Hayden’s work reveal the shifting, unpredictable forms of resistance embodied by nature, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity’s fraught relationship with the natural world.
FILM SYNOPSIS
Hugh the Hunter, a short film by Zachary Heinzerling, brings the artistry of Hugh Hayden to life through the lens of a storybook fable. Starring Hayden himself, the film serves as a whimsical reimagining of his artistic vision, blending surreal storytelling with a playful narrative that echoes the themes of his work.
An official selection of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, Hugh the Hunter was produced by Weird Heroes and brims with charm, eccentricity, and imaginative flair. The film captures the essence of Hayden’s unique perspective, inviting viewers into a world where art and fantasy collide in unexpected ways.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Brandon Callender is an Assistant Professor of English at Brandeis University and specializes in Black queer and Black horror studies. He is completing a manuscript on Black queer men’s intimacies and belongings entitled Getting Behind in Black Gay Men's Literatures.
This program is held in conjunction with the exhibition Hugh Hayden: Home Work, September 18, 2024–June 1, 2025.