Workshop_on_Educational_Excellence_London_School_of_Economics__October_2009

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 5th 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 6th 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 12th 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 19th 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 26th 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 email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./This email 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 email 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