Zombi Child

In 2019, the French filmmaker Bertrand Bonello released his horror movie called Zombi Child, a story that takes place in Haiti and France. It is a unique and thought-provoking movie about power, legacy, and the tangled webs of identity.

The movie begins with a group of Haitian slaves who perform a voodoo ritual to summon the spirit of Baron Samedi after their leader, Clairvius Narcisse, dies suddenly. This sequence is both beautiful and haunting, with the vibrant colors of the ceremony contrasting with the darkness of the theme. Zombi Child is loosely based on this legend of Narcisse, who was said to have died and then been resurrected as a zombie.

The film then shifts to a present-day boarding school in France attended by Haitian immigrant Mélissa (Wislanda Louimat) and her friends. Mélissa is haunted by her grandfather's past, who was a famous voodoo priest in Haiti. She shares her family's history with her new friends, who are fascinated by her stories. Mélissa tells of her grandfather's connection to the famous voodoo priestess and historical figure, Marie Laveau (Katiana Milfort). The story then intercuts with the story of the Haitian slaves and their ceremony, as the audience slowly discovers how the two stories are connected.

The film then shifts to the boarding school's history class, where a new teacher, Fanny (Louise Labeque), is introduced. Fanny is fascinated by the story of Narcisse, and she uses it in her class to spark a discussion about history, power, and colonialism. She also takes an interest in Mélissa's stories and begins an investigation into voodoo.

The movie plays on various themes, ideas, and genres. It is a movie about youth, friendship, and shared histories. It is also a classic horror story with supernatural elements. Throughout the movie, there is an ongoing conversation about power and legacy, as well as the effects of colonization and slavery on both Haitian and French cultures.

The film's themes are all connected to the central concept of zombification, the idea that one can be brought back from the dead and put to work as a slave. However, the film subverts this idea by presenting it as a metaphor for the way histories and cultures are intertwined and how these relationships can cause powerful resonances across time and space.

Bonello handles the subject matter with sensitivity and care, avoiding cheap scares for more considered, thought-provoking depictions of the horror genre. The cinematography is beautiful, from the striking Haitian landscapes to the Gothic architecture of the French boarding school.

Overall, Zombi Child is a complex and demanding movie that requires a patient viewer willing to engage with the film's themes and ideas. However, it is also a highly rewarding experience that will leave viewers thinking long after the credits have rolled.