As of today, Juneteenth is a Federal holiday! Nia DaCosta takes a moment to talk about the holiday, and how “the duality of the Black experience in America” and how her film looks at that duality, and “the truth of that pain”.

The full press release is after the jump! Candyman hits theaters August 27th.

CANDYMAN x Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a day that has historically recognized the perseverance and power of the Black community.

Over the last two years, taking time to recognize and reflect on this holiday has only gained added significance.

Black art, and Black storytelling in particular, provides audiences the opportunity to see both the reality and the possibility of Black lives in America.

Candyman first appeared on film in Bernard Rose’s 1992 cult classic as a vengeful, mystical entity, a victim of a brutal hate crime who externalizes his pain in the same community that once turned against him.

Nia DaCosta found inspiration to bring Candyman into a new age. As director of this year’s CANDYMAN, she has created a film rooted in horror that reframes the Candyman legend with new urgency.

Produced by Jordan Peele, this film is an exciting, terrifying, entertaining, scary-as-hell horror film that also speaks to the movement and momentum of Black lives now.

In this piece, Nia articulates her intentions for her film on the eve of Juneteenth.