The Prologue
The Prologue – a Southern blaxhorror folklore film
The Prologue is a feature film inspired by a horror story from Zora Neale Hurston. It follows a protagonist haunted by a literal and psychological curse, forcing him to confront a buried family secret. The film blends Hoodoo, Black Southern folklore, and biblical imagery to explore identity, addiction, and sovereignty.
The Prologue (Official Trailer) | A Blaxhorror Folk Tale
About the film
Genre
Blaxhorror, Southern Gothic, folk horror
Budget
$1.25 million
Audience
Horror fans, folklore lovers, Zora Neale Hurston readers, scholars, and design-minded creatives
Impact
Opens doors for educational licensing, community screenings, and discussions on heritage, trauma, and spiritual reconnection.
Mission Statement
The Prologue" is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from the traditions and practices of my Black Southern family. It is a testament to the beauty and resilience of our culture, aiming to create a trilogy that showcases these special and unique stories to the world.
The Story
Calling all black horror fans into the mind of the great Zora Neale Hurston!
The Prologue follows a greedy man, named Johnny, as he stalks the swamps for redemption and salvation from an untamed Conjure Doctor, Uncle Monday.
Over a fateful day, Johnny reaches the pits of despair. He is framed by a vindictive fling, threatened with child support, and loses everything he ever cared about in this world. Seeking solace, he learns of a magical hoodoo man who can create a spell for any ailment. The Prologue follows Johnny's quest to mend the wounds of urban living that too often plague neglected and impoverished communities. And his life-changing encounter with Brotha Monday.
"The Prologue" is a haunting tale of transformation and revelation. It addresses issues such as grief, substance abuse, morality, and spiritual reconnection with a higher power. The film also follows the journey of individuals as they navigate their inner demons and rediscover their lost traditions and cultural roots.
Our artistic approach is led by the concept of voyeurism, or peering into one's life (looking in), as a way to examine and build more empathy for others who lead complicated lives. The thesis of this film is to entertain, teach, and heal by showing how our communities deal with individuals who are often labeled as "too much," "messy," or always involved in "drama."
We will show striking cinematography, smart storytelling, and breathtaking drama, capturing the landscape's eerie beauty and the narrative's moody atmosphere.
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What does it mean to make a film without harming the world you're filming in?
This short behind-the-scenes video captures our sustainable set practices during the trailer shoot for The Prologue—a blaxhorror feature film rooted in Black Southern folklore and directed by Jessica Imhotep.
From waste reduction to ethical sourcing, Sustainability in Action is a real-world glimpse of how we’re building a better blueprint for indie filmmaking—one rooted in care, culture, and climate consciousness.
🎬 This is part of Seed to Screen, a documentary exploring how sustainability and storytelling intersect during the making of The Prologue.