Watch: “Candyman” Director Nia DaCosta’s Juneteenth Message

Thank you to Universal Studios for bringing filmmaker Nia DaCosta‘s message for Juneteenth to the public. If you’ll recall, DaCosta co-wrote and is directing the much anticipated “Candyman” reboot, which is due out later this year.

Here’s what Universal had to say about DaCosta’s Juneteenth message, which you can watch in its entirety below:

CANDYMAN Director, Nia DaCosta’s Message on 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.

“Candyman” is scheduled for release on August 27th, 2021.