Published Writing
Take a Peek at some of Peyton's Published writing in Film and Media.
Ganja and Hess
Kino Lorber Blog Post
In the wake of Sinners reinvigorating a love for Black horror, let us reminisce on one of the first groundbreaking Black vampire films to revolutionize the genre. No, I'm not talking about Blacula (1972), even though it gave Tod Browning’s Dracula (1931) a good run for its money. I’m talking about the Afro-Surrealist nightmare that is Bill Gunn’s vampire romance Ganja & Hess. In 1973, the horror film premiered at Cannes, where it was also recognized as one of the ten best American films of the decade. Written, directed, and featuring Bill Gunn, Ganja & Hess has left its unique imprint on the horror genre ever since.
My Brother's Wedding
Kino Lorber Blog Post
A maestro of the mundane, Charles Burnett created portraits of everyday Black life that exist in between the pages of life’s chapters. His images evoke memories of what’s been forgotten, yet remain familiar. Raised in Los Angeles, CA, Burnett attended film school at UCLA in 1970 and became a key figure in the LA Rebellion, a community of independent Black filmmakers that emerged from the program (others include Julie Dash, Zeinabu Irene Davis, and Billy Woodberry). These directors told stories of Black pride, inequity, and social justice that Hollywood was failing to represent. After decades of telling such intimate stories, Burnett was awarded an Honorary Academy Award for his contribution to film and television in 2017. As part of our August Auteurs series, and in conjunction with the release of the new 4K Restoration of My Brother’s Wedding, we’re celebrating the remarkable Charles Burnett, a filmmaker who has stood the test of time.