Ouanga (film)

Ouanga is a 1936 American independent horror film directed by George Terwilliger. It is notable for being one of the earliest American films to focus on Haitian Vodou, though its depiction of the religion has been criticized for sensationalism and inaccuracies.

The film stars Fredi Washington as Marie Laveau, a Vodou priestess who seeks revenge against a white plantation owner and his family. The plot revolves around her use of spells and curses to cause chaos and death, highlighting themes of racial tension and power dynamics in the colonial Caribbean.

While considered a low-budget production with limited distribution, Ouanga is significant for its portrayal of African American actors in leading roles and its early exploration of Vodou in mainstream cinema. It remains a subject of study in film history and African diaspora studies, though its cultural sensitivity and representation are often debated. The film is sometimes also known by the alternate title The Love Wanga.