Jordan Peele, Tony Todd And More Discuss Black Horror Films In 1st Trailer For Documentary 'Horror Noir'

In February, which happens to be Black History Month, Shudder will present ‘Horror Noire’ a documentary that will examine the role of black actors and characters in films as a whole, but more specifically in the horror genre. Among those contributing are Academy Award winner Jordan Peele, the ‘Candyman’ himself, Tony Todd, Rachel True of ‘The Craft’, ‘Supernatural’s Loretta Devine, Paula Jai Parker of ‘Tales From the Hood’, and ‘Dawn of the Dead’s Ken Foree, as well as directors Ernest Dickerson (‘Bones’), Rusty Cundieff (‘Tales from the Hood’), and Tina Mabry (‘Mississippi Damned’). Xavier Burgin (‘Giants’) directed ‘Horror Noire’, inspired by the nonfiction book by Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman, who also serves as executive producer of the documentary. Author/educator Tananarive Due, ‘Fangoria’ editor-in-chief Phil Nobile Jr., and Stage 3 Productions’ Kelly Ryan also serve as executive producers, while Ashlee Blackwell and Danielle Burrows produce and co-wrote the doc.

In a statement, Due said:

“After I saw Oscar winner Jordan Peele’s Get Out, I created a UCLA class around Black Horror called The Sunken Place. The text I recommended was Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman’s ‘Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to the Present’. So I was so thrilled to help bring this story to life on the screen. Horror Noire is about the history of black horror films, but it’s also a testament to the power of representation and how horror is such a visceral way to fight racial trauma: our real pain and fear, but from a safer distance — while we get stronger.”

Coleman added:

“The horror genre is daring, unflinching pedagogy. It is like a syllabus of our social, political, and racial world. The horror film is fascinating if for no other reason than that it prides itself on snuggling up next to the taboo while confounding our sense of good and evil, the monstrous and divine, and the sacred and profane. It is one of the most intrepid of entertainment forms in its scrutiny of our humanity and our foibles. It is my sincere hope that Horror Noire will spark fierce debate and trigger even more exacting, nuanced explorations into the power of horror.”

Watch the trailer for ‘Horror Noire’ below:

Producer Blackwell, who is the founder of Graveyard Shift Sisters, a website devoted to black women in horror, also noted, “There are messages of humanity and survival that Black storytellers and performers have been expressing in horror since the genre’s beginning. It’s been an exciting journey to work with a team to bring this once hidden history to life and out of the shadows.”

Shudder’s general manager, Craig Engler, also stated, “Horror Noire is an important and timely documentary that explores an overlooked part of the horror genre that’s only just beginning to get the attention it deserves. We’re honored and thrilled to help bring this project to life and share it with the world.”

‘Horror Noire’ will arrive on Shudder on February 7.