White Zombie
Guy Maddin Selects
Victor Halperin's legendary pre-code film is set in Haiti and concerns a wealthy plantation owner's obsession with a beautiful young woman, Madeline (played by silent film star, Madge Bellamy).
On the eve of their wedding, unquenchable desire leads the couple into the evil clutches of a menacing witch doctor (a star turn by Bela Lugosi).
Halperin's film was universally derided on release. A gentler review of the time noted the film was "not for the squeamish or the highly intelligent". Today, however, it is famously credited as being the first feature-length zombie movie, and is praised for its poetic melodrama.
Guy Maddin has nominated White Zombie as an ideal screening companion for My Winnipeg.
