Poster for the film 'Blood Tax: Life of a Hellfighter' featuring a Black soldier in a historical uniform, a Black woman, an American flag in the background, and a WWII-era military poster, with text mentioning W.E.B. Dubois 1919 and the film's director Rory Clarke.

Trailer

A war and romance drama of sacrifice and a battle for recognition. "Harlem Hellfighter Henry Johnson fights valiantly in World War I, saving lives in a brutal ambush—only to face his greatest fight for recognition at home.

Log Line

Harlem Hellfighter Henry Johnson enlists to fight in World War I, leaving behind his pregnant young wife, only to face racism from his countrymen. Under French command, he proves his valor in a brutal ambush, earning the nickname Black Death. But when he returns home, his heroism is exploited, and he’s left to battle injuries and a nation that refuses to honor him. Blood Tax is the powerful story of the fight to reclaim a hero’s legacy.

Synopsis

Close-up portrait of a young African American man with short hair and a slight smile, wearing a dark shirt.

Cast

Rory Clarke

as Henry

Portrait of a young Black woman with natural curly hair, wearing a beige spaghetti strap top, looking directly at the camera against a plain background.

DeShawn White

as Edna

Written Directed & Executive Produced by:

Crew

Rory Clarke

DP/Cinematographer

Koshi Kiyokawa

2nd Unit Cinematographer

Adam Muro

Group of people on a film set, some smiling and others making playful gestures, in front of wooden barn walls, with a clapperboard and professional lighting equipment.

Paul E. Cendron

Editor

Nelson Smith

Key Gaffer

Haijin Gyeltshen

1AC

Craig Smith

Sound Mixer & Score

Chrisber Crooke

2nd Unit Boom Operator

Jared Scharf

Script Supervisor

Amy Gossels

CD/Casting Director

Leroy Barnes

Producer

Christian Ochoa-Diaz

2nd AC

Richard Loverich

Set Photographer

Nicole D'Agostino

Wardrobe/Key HMU

Sierra Lattuca

Boom Operator

Ricarlo Luis Gravely

Nick Batchelder

Maria Rivera

Production Assistants

Michelle Patino

Richard Terdoslavich

Storyboard Artists

Adam Bailey

David Rodriguez

Special Effects

Isaac Thompson Caasi

Research Videographer

Affiliations

Picture of Sgt. Henry Johnson dressed in military uniform with a peaked cap, medals, and a warm smile.

A tribute image with the text 'Dedicated to the Life Sgt. HENRY JOHNSON' in beige and brown font on a black background.

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Help us honor the strides of this Hellfighter .

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