Birth of the Living Dead

Synopsis

Birth of the Living Dead (2013) centers on the making of George A. Romero’s groundbreaking Night of the Living Dead and the cultural landscape that shaped its production. As archival footage, interviews with Romero, collaborators, filmmakers, critics, and historians explore the film’s guerrilla production, accidental entry into the public domain, and revolutionary approach to horror while examining its connections to race, the Vietnam War, and social unrest, the documentary traces its transformation into a defining work of independent cinema. This documentary examines horror history and independent filmmaking through production stories, cultural analysis, and firsthand recollections, as a modest regional production evolves into one of the most influential films ever made.