Africa and Africans on Film

According to the UN, "The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI))". Thank you for this information...Read Full Story

I saw this film a few months ago at a screening at BFI London South Bank, as part of the African Odysseys series. The Negro Soldier was commissioned by the U.S. War Department and directed by Frank Capra as a piece of wartime propaganda. It depicts African American men and women training to go to war, and in various wartime posts on and off the battlefield. I had really wanted to see this film because my Dad served in the Army during the war, fighting in Italy. The Negro Soldier is very...Read Full Story

In yesterday's post, "Where Are the Positive Images of Black Families?", I talked about the film "Happily Ever After", which features couples talking about their experience of marriage. The couples in the film make the point that many young Black people today have not experienced positive Black marriage and family life, and thus do not even believe it is possible for them to have happy marriages. They see the Obamas as a positive role model, and state that if you can see that something is...Read Full Story

When I was a child growing up in the '60s, I recall Valentine's Day being about more than romantic love. It was not just for couples. Valentine's Day celebrated love in all its forms, including the love of parents for their children, the love of family, and the love which is found in friendships. As Joan E. Gosier, author of Cotton Pickin' Paycheck, writes in More Black Success Volume 5, where are the positive images of Black families? Where are the images of normal, healthy Black families...Read Full Story

I recently saw this excellent PBS documentary about the Haitian Revolution, which was screened by Black History Studies . Egalite for All was chock full of factual information, as was the subsequent presentation by Charmaine at Black History Walks. This is important information for all African people. Click here to read more.Read Full Story

I far preferred this film to Motherland. 500 Years Later explores the importance of history for us as people of African heritage. Using a series of talking heads as well as powerful and disturbing images, music and sound recordings of Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X, this film examines the legacy of self-hatred and low self-esteem which we have inherited due to the slavery experience, and the need for self-love, self-determination and self-reliance among people of the African Diaspora. I explore...Read Full Story

The documentary Motherland was described by The Sowetan as "The Best Documentary on Africa". Directed by the makers of 500 Years Later, Motherland will be screened in London tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday. Click here for details of these and other BHM events.copyright (c) Zhana 2005-2010Read Full Story

The 7th Edition of the Images of Black Women International Film Festival (IBW) continues across March and April for a double celebration: the 100th anniversary of International Women's Month & the United Nations' announcement of 2011 International Year for African Descent people.Click here to read more .Read Full Story

Today, 23rd of August, is African Remembrance Day, which celebrates the Haitian Revolution. On Saturday, the BFI screened “Jamaica for Sale” as part of its African Remembrance Day programme. This documentary by Esther Figueroa explores the way the hotels and tourism industry in Jamaica is destroying the island’s coastline and with it, its wildlife, and a whole way of life for many people. Large sections of Jamaica’s coast have been sold off to private developers who build vast hotel complexes...Read Full Story

On 7th February, there was another screening of Small Island at the Imperial War Museum, followed by a Q&A with the Producer, Vicky Licorish.This was part of the ongoing Black history presentation series with Tony Warner of Black History Walks.In case you have not had a chance to see it, Small Island was a film commissioned by the BBC, based on the novel by Andrea Levy. It will be screened again by the BBC and on PBS in the States, and Tony is planning to screen it again at the Imperial War...Read Full Story