Home Again . African Odysseys@BFI

(Please note Events from August 2015 to December 2015 are archived but can be seen here )

Sat 10 January 2 to 5pm

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

Belvedere Road SE1

Tube:Waterloo

African Odysseys@BFI  Book tickets from BFI Southbank www.bfi.org.uk 

The African Odysseys film programme  has screened rare  African/Caribbean films at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank for the last 8 years. The films are sourced and selected by the African Caribbean Consultative group which is comprised of grassroots organisations like Black History Walks, with a history of pro-active Black film screenings. The BFI is the only cinema in the country to offer monthly screenings of African/Caribbbean films. The films are often complemented with talks, workshops and Q and A’s. Join the Black History Walks mail list HERE for regular updates.

Next African Odysseys film Home Again

Rare chance to see this gripping drama about three young people sent ‘home’ to Jamaica – a country they’ve not seen since infancy. Marva, Dunston, and Everton grew up in Toronto, New York and London, respectively but are deported ‘home’ to Jamaica. Once in Kingston they discover every day is a fight for survival where family support, friendships, and shelter are elusive. They embark on a journey that pushes their endurance beyond measure and forces them to discover who they truly are. A searing, fast paced drama Home Again asks the question, “How would you survive?”. 

Never before has the story of deportees been told cinematically. This powerful, visually stunning political drama by award winning director Sudz Sutherland stars Tatyana Ali, Lyriq Bent, CCH Pounder, Stephan James and singer songwriter Fefe Dobson in her debut feature film role. Plus Q and A 

Watch Trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYMaOS0_GpM

Invasion 1897. African Odysseys@BFI

Sat 7 February 2 to 5pm

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

Belvedere Road SE1

Tube:Waterloo

African Odysseys@BFI  Book tickets from BFI Southbank www.bfi.org.uk 

The African Odysseys film programme  has screened rare  African/Caribbean films at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank for the last 8 years. The films are sourced and selected by the African Caribbean Consultative group which is comprised of grassroots organisations like Black History Walks, with a history of pro-active Black film screenings. The BFI is the only cinema in the country to offer monthly screenings of African/Caribbbean films. The films are often complemented with talks, workshops and Q and A’s. Join the Black History Walks mail list HERE for regular updates.

Next African Odysseys film Invasion 1897 African Resistance 

The 1897 invasion of Benin marked the climax in the inordinate exploitation of Africans and black peoples by the West. This sinister quest began with slavery and later evolved to the famed scramble for Africa where the entire continent was divided.

Invasion 1897 is an epic film based on the invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British Empire in 1897 and looting the priceless ancient artifacts of the Benin kingdom, including the famous commemorative head and pendant of ivory mask representing Queen Idia (from court of Benin, 16th century) who was the mother of Esigie, the Oba of Benin who ruled from 1504 to 1550. The commemorative head is at the British Museum, while the pendant is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA. film role. Plus Q and A with Dr Ama Biney and director 

Watch Trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAbC7NlqlSw

50 Years of Struggle . African Odysseys@BFI

Sat 14 March 2 to 5pm

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

Belvedere Road SE1

Tube:Waterloo

African Odysseys@BFI  Book tickets from BFI Southbank www.bfi.org.uk 

The African Odysseys film programme  has screened rare  African/Caribbean films at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank for the last 8 years. The films are sourced and selected by the African Caribbean Consultative group which is comprised of grassroots organisations like Black History Walks, with a history of pro-active Black film screenings. The BFI is the only cinema in the country to offer monthly screenings of African/Caribbbean films. The films are often complemented with talks, workshops and Q and A’s. Join the Black History Walks mail list HERE for regular updates.

Next African Odysseys film 50 Years of Struggle Black British Civil Rights with Professor Gus John

Professor Gus John and Gary Younge on 50 years of African British people fighting for equality in education, housing, employment, religion,policing and health. Plus fantastic rare archive from their personal collections. Tickets now on sale (13.2.2015) 2000 people want 450 tickets. Do not delay !

Watch extract of Q&A here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNnSpWG1-RM

Legends of Ska Premiere. African Odysseys@BFI

Sat 4 April 2 to 5pm

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

Belvedere Road SE1

Tube:Waterloo

African Odysseys@BFI  Book tickets from BFI Southbank www.bfi.org.uk 

The African Odysseys film programme  has screened rare  African/Caribbean films at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank for the last 8 years. The films are sourced and selected by the African Caribbean Consultative group which is comprised of grassroots organisations like Black History Walks, with a history of pro-active Black film screenings. The BFI is the only cinema in the country to offer monthly screenings of African/Caribbbean films. The films are often complemented with talks, workshops and Q and A’s. Join the Black History Walks mail list HERE for regular updates.

Next African Odysseys film Legends of Ska Premiere

During the summer of 2002, the original stars of Ska gathered for a special weekend of concerts featuring music, memories and fun.

The Legends Of Ska concerts occurred on July 12-13, 2002 at the Palais Royale Ballroom on the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada. The event was produced by Steady Rock Productions LLC in the United States and filmed in Hi-Definition for an upcoming movie and soundtrack release.

Ska is a musical genre featuring upbeat, positive dance rhythms, which have energized three distinct generations of fans. Born in the days prior to Jamaica’s independence from Great Britain in the early 1960s, Ska played a vital role in the creation of the island’s music industry. Other popular styles of Jamaican music include Mento, Rock Steady, Reggae, Dub, Dancehall, Deejay and Ragga.Backed by an All-Star Skatalite Orchestra, top vintage Jamaican singers included Prince Buster, Derrick Morgan, Stranger Cole, Patsy Todd, Owen Gray, Justin Hinds, Lord Creator, Alton Ellis, Winston Samuels, Doreen Schaffer, Roy Wilson, Lord Tanamo and Derrick Harriott.The 13-piece band featured Lloyd Knibb (Drums), Lester Sterling (Tenor Sax), Johnny Moore (Trumpet), Lloyd Brevett (Bass), Rico Rodriguez (Trombone), Lynn Taitt (Guitar), Herman Sang (Piano), Larry McDonald (Percussion), Phil Chen (Banjo), Dennis Sindrey (Guitar), Jo Jo Bennett (Horns), Bobby Gaynair (Alto Sax) and Cannonball Bryan (Alto Sax).A host of other Ska luminaries contributed to the success of the event. There was King Stitt (Original Boss Deejay), Carlos Malcolm (Arranger), Graeme Goodall (Engineer), Keith Scott (Associate Producer), Karl Mullings (Coordinator), Pluggy Satchmo (Legsman) and Jeff Barnes (MC).Additional personnel interviewed for the project include Toots Hibbert, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Dave Wakeling, Miss Lou, Coxson Dodd from Studio One, Ken Khouri of Federal Records, guitarists Ernest Ranglin and Jah Jerry, pianists Monty Alexander and Ken Stewart, singer Eric “Monty” Morris, and the original members of the Jiving Juniors

Watch trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RmiO_JeL9U

Watch Q and A Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D07bSlN3hHA

Looking for Love. African Odysseys@BFI

Sat May 23  2 to 5pm

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

Belvedere Road SE1

Tube:Waterloo

African Odysseys@BFI  Book tickets from BFI Southbank www.bfi.org.uk 

The African Odysseys film programme  has screened rare  African/Caribbean films at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank for the last 8 years. The films are sourced and selected by the African Caribbean Consultative group which is comprised of grassroots organisations like Black History Walks, with a history of pro-active Black film screenings. The BFI is the only cinema in the country to offer monthly screenings of African/Caribbbean films. The films are often complemented with talks, workshops and Q and A’s. Join the Black History Walks mail list HERE for regular updates.

Next African Odysseys film Looking for Love

LOOKING FOR LOVE is a unique feature length documentary about issues of relationships, love, intimacy and sex . Its the new film from Menelik Shabbaz who gave us the amazing blockbuster, The Story of Lovers Rock

This is a ground -breaking film that includes interviews with single people, psychologists, relationship experts, couples and comedians (Kojo, Mr T,Eddie Kadi, Andi Osho, Donna Spence, Slim). LOOKING FOR LOVE is part of a movement, a social shift that is transforming, empowering and healing communities.

Your donation at the Indiegogo page will help them to complete the post-production phase. You can also help by visiting http://igg.me/at/lookingforlovefilm.

Please share the crowdfunding link and follow the campaign progress on Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lookingforlovefilm; and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/menelikshabazz.

Get involved! Fund positive Black film and come to the premiere.

The Gala Premiere will feature smart dress and a special reception. £12 tickets will be on sale one month before the actual date from the BFI website. This is an African Odysseys presentation

Watch trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc_Ha594IKA

Watch Q and A extract here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAFPq9l2_DY

The Birth and Legacy of Race Movies in the USA. African Odysseys@BFI

Sat 20 June 2 to 6pm

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

Belvedere Road SE1

Tube:Waterloo

African Odysseys@BFI  Book tickets from BFI Southbank www.bfi.org.uk 

The African Odysseys film programme  has screened rare  African/Caribbean films at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank for the last 8 years. The films are sourced and selected by the African Caribbean Consultative group which is comprised of grassroots organisations like Black History Walks, with a history of pro-active Black film screenings. The BFI is the only cinema in the country to offer monthly screenings of African/Caribbbean films. The films are often complemented with talks, workshops and Q and A’s. Join the Black History Walks mail list HERE for regular updates.

Next African Odysseys film Legacy of Race Movies in the USA

Join Tim Reid (actor, producer,Director of the Legacy Media Institute and Kunle Olulode ( Rebop Productions) for a day of discussions and screenings about films produced in the US from 1915, for all Black audiences and featuring al Black casts. In part, spurred on by the explicit racism of DW Griffiths’ Birth of a Nation in 1915. Includes extremely rare footage from Americas’ first Black director Oscar Micheaux

Watch trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9UPOkIpR0A

African Warrior Queen Nzingha. African Odysseys@BFI

Sat 4 July 2 to 5pm

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

Belvedere Road SE1

Tube:Waterloo

African Odysseys@BFI  Book tickets from BFI Southbank www.bfi.org.uk 

The African Odysseys film programme  has screened rare  African/Caribbean films at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank for the last 8 years. The films are sourced and selected by the African Caribbean Consultative group which is comprised of grassroots organisations like Black History Walks, with a history of pro-active Black film screenings. The BFI is the only cinema in the country to offer monthly screenings of African/Caribbbean films. The films are often complemented with talks, workshops and Q and A’s. Join the Black History Walks mail list HERE for regular updates.

Next African Odysseys film African Warrior Queen Nzingha

True story of the Angolan/Congolese princess who became Queen to lead her people into war against the vicious European slavers who wanted to kidnap her nation. An epic, big budget, high quality production with an African woman as the hero. This epic drama is based on the real life story of Queen Anna Njinga (c. 1583 –1663), also known as Ana de Sousa Njinga Mbande, queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in Congo/ Angola.This special screening plus Q and A with scholar-warrior Dr Ama Biney, is guaranteed to sell out and is brought to you by African Odysseys.Tickets on sale from 3 weeks before the event

Watch trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siCT-3I_GDE