Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash has signed on to executive produce the feature documentary Black Zombie ahead of a world premiere this weekend at South by Southwest.
The famed rocker and genre film aficionado is also executive producing Sundown, a Canadian indie horror feature from director Rebekah McKendry that wrapped production in Winnipeg this week.Black Zombie, from director Maya Annik Bedward, will debut at SXSW on March 13 as the doc unearths the buried origins of the fictional zombie to reclaim it as a symbol of survival and spiritual resistance.
The film is also the latest to get backing from Slash and his Slasher Films banner after the rocker made his debut as a producer on the 2013 horror movie Nothing Left to Fear by director Dennison Ramalho. “I’ve always believed horror reflects the fears and truths buried in society. Black Zombie uncovers the real origins behind one of horror’s most iconic figures, and I’m proud to help bring that story forward,” Slash said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
Black Zombie traces the evolution of the zombie character from Haitian Vodou, to White Zombie, Night of the Living Dead and The Serpent and the Rainbow. The film features appearances by Slash, Yves-Grégory Francois, Anderson Mojica, musical artist and Vodou priest Erol Josué, special effects legend Tom Savini (Night of the Living Dead) and filmmaker Zandashé Brown (Horror Noire).
For director Bedward, the zombie ultimately has its origins as a celebration of Haitian resistance and Vodou spirituality. “Slash’s lifelong love of horror and his respect for Vodou make him an incredible partner in helping bring this history to a wider audience,” the Afro-Caribbean-Canadian director added in her own statement.
A busy Slash is also executive producing Sundown, a vampire feature from director Rebekah McKendry (Glorious), written by Joshua Hull and David Ian McKendry and having just finished production in Winnipeg this week. “Three generations of women reunite in a remote cabin to avenge a loved one’s death, only to discover their captive isn’t who he seems to be, and his family is closing in, waiting for sundown,” a synopsis from the producers reads.
Sundown stars Olwen Fouéré, Camille Sullivan and Summer H. Howell. Slash exec produces the film through his BerserkerGang label, while producer credits are shared by Pasha Patriki, Michael Paszt, Andrew Thomas Hunt, James Fler and Juliette Hagopian. Slash is represented by Fortress Talent Management.
