Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019)

A look at the history of black horror films and the role of African Americans in the film genre from the very beginning.

Director:

Xavier Burgin

Writers:

Ashlee Blackwell, Danielle Burrows

Stars:

Rusty Cundieff, Ernest R. Dickerson, Robin R. Means Coleman

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rusty Cundieff	...	Self - Director, Tales from the Hood
Ernest R. Dickerson	...	Self - Director, Bones
Robin R. Means Coleman	...	Self - Author & Educator
Jordan Peele	...	Self - Director, Get Out
Tananarive Due	...	Self - Author & Educator
Rachel True	...	Self - Actor, The Craft
Ken Foree	...	Self - Actor, Dawn of the Dead
Keith David	...	Self - Actor, The Thing
Tony Todd	...	Self - Actor, Candyman
Paula Jai Parker	...	Self - Actor, Tales from the Hood
Ashlee Blackwell	...	Self - Graveyardshiftsisters.com
Mark H. Harris	...	Self - Blackhorrormovies.com
Tina Mabry	...	Self - Director, Mississippi Damned
Meosha Bean	...	Self - Filmmaker
Monica Suriyage	...	Self - Filmmaker

Storyline

A look at the history of black horror films and the role of African Americans in the film genre from the very beginning.

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Plot Keywords:

movie theater | horror criticism | horror movie director | 1990s horror | 2010s horror | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

Features The Thing (1982)

User Reviews

Finally on a good way

Horror movies have been fascinating, actually horror stories in general have been. But roles for certain groups of people (in this case people of color) have been small to not even existent. Now of course you can make the case for native Americans or Asian Americans, but that can be a different movie (one I'd watch for sure). So this concentrates on Black people in horror movies - in front and behind the camera. Except for a short mention of 90s movies in general (like Boyz'N'the hood) this really does not stray aways from the genre it says in the title it will be about.

And while I wouldn't have minded having a nod to something like "In the Heat of the Night", it overall is better to not stray away from the path it set out. This is based on a book, but has so many different people talking about the History of Black Horror movies. If you are a fan of the Genre many, if not all will mean something to you. And watching this almost makes me want to revisit Blackula - I kinda liked it anyway, but with the background you get with this documentary and what the director tells us he had to go through .... it puts a whole new level on the whole thing and viewing experience.

As a big Romero fan, just the mention of Night of the living Dead (or any of the others, Ken Foree is one of the people being interviewed) makes me happy. But it is obvious what an impact the movie had and how it was perceived. It is even better to know that the role wasn't written specifically for a Black actor. As Romero has famously said, Duane Jones was just the best actor to audition. When I watched it, I was thinking "wow having the guts to cast someone in the lead role back then ... awesome". And if you had the opportunity to meet Romero you could see him for what he is. Like your good natured Grandpa who was open to everyone. That doesn't change how Night ended - and while I will not spoil that, I'll say it left me quite drained. And if I was or felt that way, hearing how people from that era saw it and how they related, gives it another layer alltogether.

I just scratched the surface, the movie mentions good movies and bad movies (and things in between, I really want to watch a movie called Abby now - it sounds horrible ... in a fun and good way) - and I hope if it comes out on Disc there will be at least another hour of additional material/interviews! Ending with some "outtakes" during the end credits rounds up a great overall impression I got from this. Highly recommendable ...

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stage 3 Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Color:

Color