Maya Annik Bedward’s documentary Black Zombie explains how the film uses history to reframe zombie lore. The documentary traces the creature’s roots from the fields of Haiti, where vodou practitioners and priestesses play a historical role, to the way the zombie myth was expanded and misrepresented in American cinema.
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Origins and core focus
Bedward explains that her motivation stems from a desire to explore ancestry and Black history in the Americas prior to European colonization. She frames the film as an examination of practices rooted in the African diaspora, including Santería, Obeah, and vodou, and she admits she was surprised to discover the direct links between zombies and Haitian vodou. She argues that Hollywood has frequently portrayed these African Traditional Religions (ATRs) as inherently evil, a stereotype she seeks to counter through the documentary. The project emerged from curiosity and a personal drive to illuminate a clearer historical record that many scholars view as elusive.
Bedward also discusses the broader issue of representation. She points out that ATRs outside the Abrahamic spectrum can face skepticism in the Global West, and she cites examples from film history to show how real practices have sometimes been misused or misunderstood. The filmmaker argues that vodou and related traditions deserve respectful treatment as religious and cultural worldviews, not as material for fear or horror alone. She stresses that the film’s aim is educational as well as cinematic—helping audiences see the zombie myth in a fuller historical context rather than as a simple fright device.
Festival reception, influence, and next steps
Bedward notes that festival screenings have sparked conversations about the film’s themes. She observes audiences moving from simple zombie plots toward debates about Black history and religious representation in media. The work participates in a wider cultural dialogue about the genre, citing landmark zombie-era titles such as 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead, with Atlantics (2019) noted as a contemporary touchstone in Black cinema.
Bedward also discusses ongoing plans. She confirms she is continuing work on future projects, both documentary and narrative features, as Black Zombie rolls out in theatres. The film will be released in theatres starting Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, marking a concrete upcoming step for the project and for Bedward’s broader exploration of how history and religion intersect with horror.
