Podcasts

Podcast: Katie Rife on ‘Funky Forest: The First Contact’

July 22nd, 2020 | By Matthew Monagle

When it comes to the horror genre, it’s important to cast a wide net. If, for example, you are presented with a movie like Funky Forest: The First Contact that has some of the most unique and grotesque depictions of body horror in contemporary cinema, but it is done through a comedic and absurdist lens, would you turn your back on that opportunity?

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If your answer is no, then you are the target audience for this week’s podcast episode. From instruments made from a shrunken human tree, to the world’s strangest P.E. game, the subject of this week’s podcast episode offers you the kind of horror imagery that you could typically only find in a big-budget ’80s film. It just so happens that the film is anything but scary, choosing to follow a group of sunsoaked weirdos through their bizarre journeys through space and time.

In the latest episode of Certified Forgotten, the Matts are joined by A.V. Club writer Katie Rife to discuss Funky Forest: The First Contact, the 2005 anthology film directed by Japanese filmmakers Katsuhito Ishii, Hajime Ishimine, and Shunichiro Miki. Blending surreal blasts of humor with Cronenberg-esque body horror – and more than a few A+ dance numbers – Funky Forest is unlike anything you’ve seen on the podcast before. Come for the miniature people, stay for the incredible (incredible) dance numbers.

The Funky Fanfare: The First Contact episode of Certified Forgotten is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the podcast platform of your choice.