GANJA + HESS (1973)

Duane Jones and Marlene Clark star in queer writer/director Bill Gunn’s 1973 vampiric horror classic GANJA & HESS.

GANJA & HESS

1973. USA.

 Director: Bill Gunn

Screenplay: Bill Gunn

 Starring: Duane Jones, Marlene Clark, Richard Harrow & Bill Gunn

While researching an ancient African culture of blood-drinkers, Hess (Jones), an anthropologist, gets too close to his subject and finds himself fighting off vampiric urges. After the death of his assistant (Gunn) the man’s wife, Ganja (Clark), appears on Hess’s doorstep looking for answers. The two become close, though as time progresses Ganja begins to discover that something isn’t quite right.

The film is quite experimental and Gunn uses this to his advantage in exploring themes of identity and religion by featuring, and contrasting, imagery of Christian and African artifacts and ceremonies. Additionally, as with many LGBTQ filmmakers of the past, GANJA & HESS seems to have been an outlet for Gunn to explore queer themes; his vampiric lovers are outsiders, looking for connection and learning to unapologetically embrace their difference.

You can find GANJA & HESS streaming on Hoopla (Canada/USA), Kanopy & Kino (USA), for rent or purchase on Amazon (USA), and also available on DVD & Blu-ray.