The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has teamed with independent film producers Roxanne and Deon Taylor to host a special Halloween screening of “Blacula,” commemorating the 1970s Blaxploitation classic’s 50th anniversary.
The screening will be held on Oct. 24 at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, with the vampire classic shown in its original 35mm format.
The special event also comes ahead of the Taylors’ upcoming “Blacula” reboot, which is slated for release next Halloween. In 2021, Variety exclusively revealed that that film was in the works with Deon Taylor directing from a script he co-wrote with Micah Ranum. Roxanne Avent Taylor produced the new movie on behalf of .
“We are creating an evening that transcends time as we bring together prestigious filmmakers and trailblazers to pay homage to this iconic classic,” said Deon Taylor. “‘Blacula’ was a celebration of storytelling that influenced Blaxploitation filmmaking. The film’s legacy has echoed through the years with contemporary films like ‘Blade’ and ‘Morbius.’”
He added: “As a filmmaker, it’s a privilege to have the rich experience of bringing the film back to life. On Halloween, we are going to uplift and celebrate the film for the impact it left on the cinematic landscape.”
The reboot picks up where the original saga left off, after the 1973 sequel “Scream Blacula Scream,” and will be set in a metropolitan city post-coronavirus pandemic. A description of the film teased how it will update the classic story, as it follows the vampire as he “thirsts for vengeance.” Per the logline: “Blacula is an ancient African prince who is cursed by Dracula after he fails to agree to end the slave trade. Blacula is entombed and awakens 200 years later ready to avenge the death of his ancestors and of those responsible for robbing his people of their work, culture and heritage as they appropriated it for profit.”
“As Black producers, directors and creatives, Deon and Roxanne have consistently demonstrated a winning formula for making films that create significant platforms for relevant contemporary issues, especially those that impact Black communities,” stated AAFCA co-founder and president Gil Robertson. “I am not surprised that they are celebrating ‘Blacula’ and expect that it will resonate with as much cultural significance as the original.”
