Films 11

Miracle at Santa Anna. A Spike Lee Joint 

Sat 5 November 2-5pm

BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road SE1

Tube: Waterloo

African Odysseys at the BFI www.bfi.org.uk

Rated R (Strong language and violence) See video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcKPi5DyGWs 

Although this film came out in the US in September 2008 it has never been released here and this will be its cinematic premiere. One must question why such quality films on black war heroes by a famous director are not selected for distibution while other far less edifying films are on heavy rotation. In World War 2 thousands of African-american troops were sent to fight for freedom and democracy on behalf of the USA which refused black people to right to vote. Initially the Armed Forces were reluctant to use black troops but due to the agitation of the US black community and the increasing casualty rate segregated units like the 92nd Infantry, the 761 Black Panther Tank Battalion and the Tuskeegee airmen were sent into action. The film follows the exploits of the 92nd infantry division and their activities in Italy when a small unit is trapped behind enemy lines and discovers a priceless artefact, a massive war crime and a supernatural statue The film will be followed by a Q and A with a WW2 veteran

Black History Walks will present a review of 200 Years of Black Soldiers in British Armed Forces on 8th October at 12.30pm at the Imperial War Museum

Lovers Rock, often dubbed 'romantic reggae' is a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Live performance, comedy sketches, dance, interviews and archive shed light on the music and the generation that embraced it. Lovers Rock allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance- known as 'scrubbing'- at parties and clubs. This dance provided a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets. Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national UK hits and was influential to British bands (Police, Culture Club, UB40) These influences underline the impact the music was making in bridging the multi-cultural gap that polarized the times. The film sheds light on a forgotten period of British music, social and political history.

See video trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiJof_zx2Uk

The Story of Lovers Rock sees the welcome return after an absence of 15 years, of one of our most important British storytellers, director Menelik Shabazz. He is perhaps best known for his award winning feature BURNING AN ILLUSION (1982). Menelik has previously directed work for ITV, BBC and Channel 4. Check out Menelik's film collection

The Menelik Shabbazz Film Collection http://www.loversrockthefilm.com/index.php?page=dvd

The release date for THE STORY OF LOVERS ROCK is 30th September 2011 in selected cinemas in London and Birmingham and other cities.

Cinema City Norwich 29/09/11 1 day. Ritzy Brixton 30/09/11 1 day. Rio Dalston 30/09/11 1 day. Shortwave Bermondsey 30/09/11
3 days Vue Shepherds Bush 30/09/11 7 days. Vue Birmingham Star City 30/09/11 7 days. Peckhamplex Peckham 30/09/11
7 days. Pictureville Bradford 04/10/11 4 days.  Riverside Hammersmith 18/10/11 1 day, MAC Birmingham. 18/10/11 3 days. Rich Mix Bethnal Green 20/10/11 1 day. Duke of Yorks Brighton 22/10/11 1 day.

 Keep up to date for more screenings Join THE STORY OF LOVERS ROCK facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Story-of-Lovers-Rock-the-Film-September-2011/131119666982592

  

  

The Black Image 

Sunday 17th April 2-5pm 

Lost Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road

Tickets £7.00 Box office  best to book in advance

www.losttheatre.org.uk      www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk

A very revealing presentation and short films which show how the image of African people has been deliberately altered by Europeans to show negativity. In the 15th century African people were portrayed in European art as noble, sophisticated and dignified. With the rise of Empire these images were thrown out and replaced with demeaning stereotypes which still inform public opinion via children’s books, Hollywood movies and tv adverts. Previously held at the National Portrait Gallery and Imperial War museum in 2008 to full houses.

In commemoration of the “ United Nations International Year of People of African Descent” London Metropolitan University is hosting a series of documentary screenings in association with Black History Walks. The UN declaration states that the year “aims to strengthen international, national and regional cooperation to benefit the people of African descent, and to recognize and promote their political, economic, social and cultural contributions from their diverse heritage and culture.”  http://www.un.org/en/events/iypad2011/ 

 Previously censored, excluded from the mainstream and forced underground, these documentaries highlight the political, economic, cultural and social condition of people of African descent.  Free entry to all films

I Heard it Through the Grapevine

A highly personal film essay, written by James Baldwin, about who and what survived the Civil Rights movement.  It features Baldwin, his brother David, Chinua Achebe, Fanni Lou Hamer, Amiri Baraka, and other friends Baldwin made through the 60s. On his journey he compares the strategies and tactics used by the black community in the 60s to see what worked and didn’t work with surprising results and revelations.

See video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VlUc2xxBlo  

Thursday 5^th May 2011: 6.30-8.30pm

Room: GC1-08

 Ghosts of Rwanda 

Multi award winning history of the international response to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Whether you've seen or missed Hotel Rwanda this film presents a comprehensive understanding of the Rwandan genocide and the links between Somalia, Rwanda, Sudan and racism at the United Nations. The film also highlights African heroes such as the Senegalese peacekeeper Captain Mbaye Diagne who saved countless lives by repeatedly driving into enemy lines to rescue people. The genocide began on April 6^th 1994 and went on for 100 days.

 “Ghosts of Rwanda has the scope and the dramatic immediacy of an epic mini-series, such as Herman Wouk's War & Remembrance. What makes it bearable to watch, despite scenes that recall Nazi death camps, and bearable to contemplate, despite widespread evidence of moral dereliction are the acts of humanitarianism and heroism documented. ... Ghosts of Rwanda is almost as humbling as it is horrifying." Newsday.

See video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVtN99_f4dE

Thursday 12^th May 2011: 6.30-8.30pm

Room T11-03

In The Land of the Free

Directed by Vadim Jean this film examines the story of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King, known as the Angola 3. Together they have spent almost a century in solitary confinement in Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Herman and Albert are still held in solitary confinement after thirty seven years. Narrated by Samuel L Jackson and featuring Robert King, now campaigning to free Wallace and Woodfox, the documentary questions how this abuse of Human Rights could still exist in America today.

See video clip  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U5JMs0LvBo

Thursday 19^th May 2011: 6.30-8.30pm

Room T11-03

The Murder of Fred Hampton

Black Panther Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton was one of the most charismatic and inspirational leaders in the USA. He organised free breakfasts for poor children and negotiated a peace deal between 6 different Chicago gangs who then used their members to help the community. The FBI and Chicago Police Department organised his assassination by paying an informer to drug him and draw a layout of his bedroom before arranging a police raid. Dismissed at the time as a 'conspiracy theory' this rare documentary uses government records and police informers to show how the American government murdered civil rights activists. See video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks7Qzfel4nE

Thursday 26^th May 2011: 6.30-8.30pm

Room T11-03

London Metropolitan University (Tower Building) 166-220 Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB

Tube: Holloway Road

Queries and RSVP to Michelle Asantewa Emails: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NB: Important to register for the screenings.

www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Walks, Talks and Films on the African history of London all year long