In commemoration of Juneteenth, Universal has released a new video in which Candyman director Nia DaCosta discusses vital movements for social justice that were going on during the making of her new film, exploring the truth within the pain of the story behind Candyman, as well as the importance of community.
"Juneteenth is a day that has historically recognized the perseverance and power of the Black community.
Over the last two years, taking time to recognize and reflect on this holiday has only gained added significance.
Black art, and Black storytelling in particular, provides audiences the opportunity to see both the reality and the possibility of Black lives in America.
Candyman first appeared on film in Bernard Rose’s 1992 cult classic as a vengeful, mystical entity, a victim of a brutal hate crime who externalizes his pain in the same community that once turned against him.
Nia DaCosta found inspiration to bring Candyman into a new age. As director of this year’s CANDYMAN, she has created a film rooted in horror that reframes the Candyman legend with new urgency.
Produced by Jordan Peele, this film is an exciting, terrifying, entertaining, scary-as-hell horror film that also speaks to the movement and momentum of Black lives now.
In this piece, Nia articulates her intentions for her film on the eve of Juneteenth."
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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