Ganja & Hess (1973)
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Duration: 110 minuten / 78 minuten (cut version)
Alternative title: Double Possession
Country:
United States
Directed by: Bill Gunn
Stars: Marlene Clark, Duane Jones and Betty Barney
IMDb score:
6,2 (3.101)
Releasedate: 20 April 1973
Ganja & Hess plot
"Some Marriages Are Made In Heaven. Others Are Made In Hell."
An anthropologist gets a new assistant. He stabs his boss and then commits suicide. He commits his act with a ritual knife from a bloodthirsty tribe. When the anthropologist meets his assistant's widow and falls in love with her, it turns out he carries a curse with him.
Actors and actresses
Ganja Meda
Dr. Hess Green
George Meda
Rev. Luther Williams
Archie
Girl in Bar
Dinner Guest
Jack Sargent
Singer in Church
Queen of Myrthia
Reviews & comments
Tonypulp
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- 21231 messages
- 4608 votes
A film that really shouldn't be called ''Blaxploitation''. It is included in many lists because it is a cheap (all black) production from the 70's, but the approach and the execution tend much more towards ART than to EXPLOITATION. Although there is seriously only one (!) white role (somewhere in a dream, not even relevant), there is no anti-white message behind it. Still a requirement (or at least a prevailing stylistic device). Ganja & Hess distinguishes itself by applying the theme ''vampirism'' to cultural issues. Linked to deep dialogues, mostly religious (as well as the soundtrack, with a lot of gospel and that in a very experimental way sampled into a surreal mix of demonic sounds). Duane Jones (NOTLD) plays a role in this film written and directed by Bill Gunn with a role for himself. Very surprised by this bizarre, artistic 70's cult.
Totally agree with D-ark.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Woland
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- 4810 messages
- 3827 votes
Quite an interesting film - slow, vague, unconventional, with dialogues that I sometimes had difficulty understanding, but also very atmospheric. Ganja and Hess is often put in the Blaxploitation corner, but although this is an almost completely black film (there are a few white supporting roles), it has very little in common with the other Blaxploitation films I've seen. This is a serious, quite arty, experimental portrait of the vampire existence of Dr. Hess Brown. Hess is stabbed with a contaminated dagger, and has had a terrible craving for blood ever since - although vampirism is also very clearly used as a metaphor for drug use and addiction. Later in the film he also seduces Ganja, and she also decides to join in the vampire life. In a particularly atmospheric way, with a kind of recurring voodoo tune, we see in beautiful images how they make their way through life, how they survive and also how Hess eventually finds God again. It's all quite trippy and vague, and the whole film revolves much more around atmosphere and style than around plot, but it was an interesting watch.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Shadowed
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- 11421 messages
- 6719 votes
Experimental horror film that starts off very well, as director Bill Gunn shows a strong passion for his craft. He regularly tries to find original angles on a visual and content level, which makes a film like Ganja & Hess stronger. The run-up is pleasantly mysterious and the film does not immediately reveal itself, which keeps things more unpredictable. Gradually, the whole thing starts to choose a clear path and that is unfortunately quite tiring. The blossoming romance makes an unbelievable and uninteresting impression, which makes the entire second half considerably more tiring than the first half. The acting is also not great and in many respects the whole thing is outdated, but Gunn comes to an end with a good soundtrack, playing with the camera and a dreamy narrative that is ultimately unfortunately exchanged for a more clichéd event.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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