“Fréwaka”, interview with director Aislinn Clarke

At the Locarno Film Festival, FRED Film Radio interviewed Irish director Aislinn Clarke about her film Fréwaka, showcased Out of Competition. The film, a deeply Irish horror story, explores generational trauma through the lens of folklore and superstition, set against the eerie backdrop of the Irish countryside.

A Love for Horror

Aislinn Clarke’s passion for horror is evident in Fréwaka. Raised on a steady diet of horror films, she finds the genre comforting and a way to channel anxiety. “Horror films have rules, and we understand they’re not real,” she explains, viewing them as a controlled escape from the chaos of the world. For Clarke, horror is a universal genre that resonates with audiences everywhere, despite cultural differences.

Exploring Irish Trauma

Fréwaka delves into Ireland’s dark history, particularly its unspoken traumas passed down through generations. Aislinn Clarke sees horror as a tool to confront social issues in a non-confrontational way, allowing audiences to engage with difficult topics through the safety of narrative. The film draws heavily on Irish myths, particularly the Na Sí, malevolent fairy folk from Irish folklore. “They’re not cute like Tinkerbell; they’re vengeful and brutal,” Clarke notes, making them the perfect vehicle to explore the deep-seated traumas of Irish history.

Influences and Setting

While Aislinn Clarke didn’t consciously model Fréwaka after specific films, she acknowledges the influence of folk horror classics like The Wicker Man. The rural Irish setting plays a crucial role in the film, with the main location—a previously unused period house on the border of Northern and Southern Ireland—adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Clarke describes finding the house as a moment of “fate,” perfectly aligning with the film’s themes.

A Story of Irish Women

Fréwaka focuses on female characters, a deliberate choice by Clarke to highlight the unique traumas faced by Irish women. Despite the small pool of fluent Irish-speaking actresses, Clarke found the perfect cast to bring her vision to life. The film, shot entirely in Irish, was a natural fit for Clarke, who wanted to use the language to explore the cultural and historical weight carried by Irish women.

Aislinn Clarke hopes Fréwaka resonates with audiences beyond its Irish roots, believing that horror’s universal appeal will allow viewers from all cultures to connect with the film. While she’s not exclusively a horror director, Clarke’s love for the genre and its ability to address dark, complex themes suggests that her future projects will continue to explore the shadows of the human experience.

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