Nigerian-American filmmaker Uche Aguh brings us The House Invictus, an upcoming psychological thriller feature film that explores black trauma and its everlasting effects.
Here is the official synopsis, according to trailer’s description: “The House Invictus is a psychological thriller that examines the shared history of black folk in America, both modern, and past. Blood, chaos, upheaval, sex and religion and its cultural fall out blended with the psychology of race, masculinity and the power of brotherhood.”
In the captivating trailer, we’re given a glimpse into the scenic yet unnerving countryside location that the House of Invictus resides. We watch as a group of black men are terrorized through what appears to be an induction that combines the horrors from the past and the present. Simultaneously, we listen to the chilling narrator as it introduces itself as “the darkness.” Though ambiguous, we’re left with an even stronger sense of curiosity about the storyline, the men who inhabit the house, and the meaning behind “the darkness.”
For Uche Aguh, The House Invictus is the 26-year-old’s first feature film. When asked about his inspiration behind the film, Aguh told Shadow and Act about his need to start conversations about race as a Nigerian-born American:
“The film was written and directed by me, out of frustration,” he said. “I had never intended to write a story so steeped in race. As a Nigerian-born American, I have found that in the past, I have always been a bit more reluctant and removed when it came to the conversation surrounding race in America. I had no real precedent for such a discussion as I didn’t learn about slavery or racism in Nigeria. I also felt like I didn’t own the space to talk about race as I always felt more Nigerian than American. But now, having lived in America for a considerable portion of my adult life, I’ve come to understand the race conversation with first-hand encounters, and with the regime of the new presidency, I’ve become acutely even more vigilant in my awareness of these issues and my desire to talk about them regardless of my discomfort or the discomfort of anyone else.”
Produced by Aguh’s 55Media, the film stars Jarius Sowells, Vincent Ramirez, Kayode Akinyemi, Thiree Pinnock, Julian Horton, J. Shawn Durham, and Obum Nwankwo. Currently, no release date has been set for The House Invictus. To discover more about Uche Aguh and stay up-to-date with his projects, visit his website.
Below, watch the frightening yet gripping trailer for the upcoming psychological thriller:
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